As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, has urged the Government to reintroduce some restrictions to protect the public. "Plan B", the backup strategy which the Government outlined earlier this year, involves measures such as bringing back mandatory face coverings in public places and reinstating the working from home guidance. Without the Plan B restrictions, Mr Johnson “[risks] stumbling into a winter crisis”, the NHS leader warned.

       Mr Taylor added that the NHS is preparing for what could be “the most challenging winter on record” and urged the public to “show extra support for the NHS” by “behaving in ways that will keep themselves and others safe”.

       The NHS Confederation’s chilling warning comes as Covid deaths in the UK spiked to their highest daily level since early March.

       Meanwhile, the seven day average for cases is standing at a grizzly 44,145 cases per day – the highest level for almost three months.

       Downing Street insisted it was keeping a “very close eye” on rising case rates, but added the Prime Minister has “absolutely no plan to introduce Plan B”.

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