Rishi Sunak will be chairing a crunch meeting with British hospitality groups "to understand their concerns" this afternoon, a Treasury minister has said.
The Chancellor, who is currently in California, is under pressure to act after the public was advised to “scale down” their pre-Christmas plans and “prioritise” a select few activities as the wave of omicron washes through the country.
Numerous Conservative MPs were among those calling for additional support for struggling firms who had been hoping to use the festive period to make up for lost revenue.
But firms are reporting more than half of their bookings being cancelled at the last minute, and may struggle to survive, backbenchers warned, with Steve Brine, the MP for Winchester, saying Prof Chris Whitty had put the country into “effective lockdown”.
John Glen, the City minister, conceded it was a "challenging time" for firms as he confirmed a meeting was scheduled this afternoon to consider what, if any, further support should be brought forward.
Speaking to journalists this morning, Boris Johnson insisted the Government had "kept business going" through the pandemic. He added: “We're not saying that we want to cancel stuff, we're not locking stuff down, and the fastest route back to normality is to get boosted."
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Family visits over Christmas will be down to "individual circumstances and judgment", No 10 said.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "I think the public recognise that those deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable are most at risk and they would want to do everything possible, using the guidance we've put out available and the mitigation such as testing and vaccinations, to protect their loved ones at a time of high prevalence.
"But it will be down to individuals to decide what is right for them."
The Government is not telling football fans not to go to matches, despite a senior official last night suggesting they avoid them, Downing Street has said.
Speaking at the press conference yesterday Dr Nikki Kanani, the medical director for primary care at NHS England, said people should only visit a football stadium to get a jab at a pop-up clinic.
But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said there was "no guidance or restrictions in place".
He added: "Like Professor Whitty and the Prime Minister, she's not being prescriptive. We understand it's a personal choice for the public. There's no restrictions on those sorts of events, obviously, apart from the use of the Covid pass which provides a level of reassurance and protection.
Asked whether the Government was telling fans not to attend matches, the spokesman said: "That is not our advice."
Nicola Sturgeon has called for a call with Boris Johnson today, to secure more financial support for hospitality and other businesses suffering pre-Christmas cancellations.
The First Minister told the Scottish Parliament she was "acutely aware of and deeply concerned about the considerable impact", following fresh advice for people to limit social interaction.
Businesses need the "scale of financial support" that was available earlier in the pandemic but the devolved government could not trigger such levels of expenditure.
"We need the UK Government to act urgently and in the same way some other countries are already doing," said Ms Sturgeon, calling for the "urgent engagement of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor".
"We must not sleepwalk into an emergency that for both health and business will be much greater as a result of inaction than it will be if we act firmly and strongly now," she said.
"I have therefore written to the Prime Minister this morning appealing to him to put the necessary support schemes in place. Such is the urgency I've asked to speak to him directly later today."
No 10 said the Government was not seeking to cancel things on the public's behalf.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Hospitality remains open, businesses remain open to trade.
"We recognise that the prevalence of this variant and the high transmissibility is leading to further challenges for the hospitality sector in particular, and that's why we want to hear their concerns and that's something the Chancellor and chief secretary will be doing today."
Downing Street has denied the Government is sending out mixed messages on social contacts following the emergence of the Omicron variant.
On Wednesday, the chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, urged people to cut back on social contacts to help curb the spread of the disease whereas Boris Johnson had previously said people did not need to cancel Christmas parties.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Both the Prime Minister and the CMO were making the point that given the current infection rate, the prevalence of this variant, people should be cautious and think carefully before mixing with others.
"The Prime Minister was clear that this is a personal choice and people should do what is right for them."
Downing Street has rejected Labour's suggestions that Rishi Sunak is in California to enjoy some 'winter sun', insisting he is there for a work trip.
The spokesman said that Mr Sunak was on a "long-planned" business trip to the US and would be returning to the UK on Friday.
"This was an official trip, a work trip. He is constantly in contact with Treasury staff and is monitoring this latest wave of the pandemic closely," the spokesman said.
The Chancellor and Treasury chief secretary Simon Clarke are due to speak to about a dozen representatives from the hospitality sector today, amid concerns about widespread cancellations.
"We are listening to what those businesses particularly affected have to say. There is already significant support in place until spring next year," the spokesman said. "We will continue to respond proportionately to the changing path of the virus as we have done since the start of the pandemic."
The Bank of England has increased interest rates to 0.25 per cent in a bid to rein in rampant inflation despite mounting fears over the impact of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
Members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted eight to one to raise rates from the historic low of 0.1 per cent.
The Bank has been under pressure to bring the soaring cost of living under control, with official figures this week showing the Consumer Prices Index jumped to 5.1 per cent - the highest level for more than a decade.
In the minutes of the decision, the Bank warned that inflation could now peak at six per cent in April, while it also downgraded growth outlook to 0.6 per cent in the fourth quarter from a previous forecast of one per cent
It said: "The decision at this meeting was finely balanced because of the uncertainty around Covid developments...
There was, however, also a strong case for tightening monetary policy now, given the strength of current underlying inflationary pressures and in order to maintain price stability in the medium term."
The Chancellor is under pressure to introduce more support for hospitality amid warnings that the shadow lockdown will see "dozens of thousands of pubs going under".
Nick Farr, who runs the pub group Farr Brew, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the advice to reconsider parties was "totally devastating for our trade and industry".
He added: "Chris Whitty and Boris are explicitly stating we should not be mixing with people.. But there is no financial back up to it. If the Government are now explicitly stating these requests to the public, worrying them even further, unless they are OK with dozens of thousands of pubs going under they have to put an extensive package of aid in to help them."
Anne Marie Morris, the Tory MP for Newton Abbott, called for "immediate sector specific financial support from Treasury" following the change in advice.
There are currently 15 people in hospital with the omicron variant of Covid-19, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chief medical adviser said.
This morning Gillian Keegan, the health minister, said the number was still 10 - which it has been for a few days.
But Dr Susan Hopkins told the Commons health and social care committee: "The released numbers that we released yesterday are 15. However we are constantly working on data linkage to improve that, and we will release new numbers this afternoon."
England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty added: "But the real number will be much bigger than that. That is simply the number who are proven, just to be clear."
John Glen, the Treasury minister, might still be taking his team out for a Christmas lunch (see 10:05am) - but London has chalked up another fairly significant cancellation.
The Queen's annual family pre-Christmas lunch, which usually sees the Royal Family celebrate en masse, will not take place this year.
A source said the decision was a precautionary measure, made after the rapid spread of the new omicron variant made it apparent that it would put "too many people's Christmas arrangements at risk" if it went ahead.
The gathering usually involves dozens of members of the family, along with members of the household cooking and serving.
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A Foreign Office minister has said "there will not be a 10 per cent staff cut" at the department, after Boris Johnson yesterday described such reports as "fake news".
Answering an urgent question brought by Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, James Cleverly said that while "internal work has taken place", which has not yet been signed off, the Government was "investing massively" in overseas aid.
"The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) must continue to promote a positive, confident, outward-looking, global Britain deploying its diplomacy and development expertise to advance freedom, democracy and sustainable enterprise around this world and remain a highly ambitious department supporting the integrated review and the aspiration set out within it," he added.
"There will not be a 10 per cent staff cut and ministers will make the final decisions on workforce changes in the spring."
Boris Johnson insisted his Government has "kept business going" through the pandemic, as Labour accused the Government of leaving firms in the lurch.
The Prime Minister told broadcasters: "We've kept businesses going throughout the crisis with more than ￡400 billion worth of support. We'll continue to support business with the Covid recovery loans, with business rate reductions, with VAT reductions, and the best thing we can do is make sure that we get back to normality as fast as possible by getting boosted now."
He added: "We're offering a package and we already have measures in place, supporting businesses through business rate relief, through VAT reductions.
"But what we're also saying is that we want to keep businesses going, as we have done for a long time now, through the vaccination programme. The best way to get back to normality is to get boosted now."
Boris Johnson has said he will do "whatever I have to to protect the public", but stressed that the "incredibly fast" booster programme is the key to avoiding further restrictions.
He told broadcasters: "We think that we're in a very different position [to last year]. If you talk to our scientists and our advisers, we're in a very different position as a result of the vaccination programme.
"And what we're saying to people is there's a lot of omicron around, be careful, exercise caution if you want to avoid isolation, getting unwell, over Christmas.
"Implement Plan B but get boosted now is the fastest route back to normality because the booster does give you an excellent level of protection and the plan is to offer everybody in the country who's eligible a booster by the end of the year."
Yet another senior Conservative MP has criticised Joy Morrissey for her tirade against Prof Chris Whitty.
Mark Harper, chairman of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group and a former chief whip, told The Telegraph: "If Joy is cross with Chris Whitty, then she needs to speak to ministers... I don't think it's right to blame advisers. Ministers know what they [advisers] are going to say and decide if they are going to go out in public."
He said that Prof Whitty was "pulled away from a select committee to go to the press conference, the Prime Minister knew what he was going to say", adding: "They wanted those views out there on the front of every newspaper today."
See 10:06am, 10:02am, 9:59am and 9:46am for more
The Government does not "want to make your choices for you about your social life", Boris Johnson has said, amid advice on gatherings ahead of Christmas.
Speaking to broadcasters on a visit to the Saga vaccination centre in Ramsgate, Kent, the Prime Minister said: "What we are saying is people should be cautious and they should think about their activities in the run-up to Christmas - nobody wants to get omicron and be unwell and be forced to isolate.
"But the fastest route back to normality is for everybody to get boosted now."
Boris Johnson has denied he is imposing a "lockdown by stealth", despite accusations of such from the hospitality industry.
Speaking to broadcasters, the Prime Minister stressed the situation was "very different" from last year because nothing was being shut down.
He said: "What we have is the additional protection of the vaccines, and the ability to test.
"So if you want to do something, if you want to go to an event or a party, then the sensible thing to do, if that's a priority, the sensible thing to do is to get a test and to make sure that you're being cautious.
"But we're not saying that we want to cancel stuff, we're not locking stuff down, and the fastest route back to normality is to get boosted."
Karen Buck, who represents Westminster North, notes that many West End shows have had to cancel because of performers catching Covid.
She asks what can be done to help support the sector.
John Glen notes there is a ￡2bn culture fund, alongside other support, but says "we will continue to engage across different sectors in the economy".
Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, says a VAT reduction back to five per cent until the end of March is an obvious place to start.
But he notes that the original schemes didn't require a "forward viability test", but the new schemes do and asks the minister to consider reforming them to widen access.
John Glen, the City minister, says these are "sensible and credible" suggestions.
Martin Vickers, the Tory MP for Cleethorpes, asks for ministers to consider "the wider impact" of the change in advice, which has a "massive knock on effect" beyond hospitality.
John Glen says he is right to "draw attention" to this issue and says the meeting will include "a range of representatives" so that ministers can fully understand the impact.
Greg Smith, the Conservative MP for Buckingham, says there is a "common theme" of constituency businesses losing 50-60 per cent of their bookings as a result of the change in advice.
He asks for an "absolute assurance that there will be a decision by ministers" that will give businesses clarity and support.
John Glen says they will "listen carefully and act appropriately". Ministers will make decisions based on data.
An additional fund has been set up to support the supply chain just yesterday, he says.
Chris Whitty changed government policy "at a stroke" during his response to questions in last night's press conference "and put the country - certainly hospitality - into effective lockdown", a Tory MP has said.
Steve Brine, the MP for Winchester, said no new policy was announced by Boris Johnson but asked that what the CMO said was now government policy.
He asked: "What in practical legal terms does that mean... are advisers now running the show?"
Mr Brine added: "The Treasury is going to have to do more because otherwise we risk ruining - and wasting - the amazing support Treasury gave last year."
John Glen replied saying people should "use common sense" in planning Christmas activities.
"I do recognise the point that he is making that the sector will need engagement from Government, and that is why ministers - not advisers, ministers - will be engaging with the sector this afternoon."
Steve Baker, the co-chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, says the change of advice will "herd" the public away from Christmas plans.
He asks for assurances that officials are speaking "within the bounds of the policy that ministers have decided" when they give advice to the public - particularly when at a podium.
John Glen says the Government "follow the best advice" and that people should act responsibly - but doesn't touch the question.
Theresa Villiers, the former minister, says advice will "clearly have a really devastating effect" on firms.
She asks for clarity about how people should plan for Christmas.
John Glen says people should get their booster, take a test and act "responsibly", adding: "And I shall be taking my team out in Salisbury on Monday for lunch."
Sir Peter Bottomley, the Father of the House, says it is not about saving costs but raising revenues.
The Worthing West MP says firms in his constituency will want to know how events - and revenues - can be made up as a result of the new advice.
John Glen says there is still ￡250m of loans that can be given out to firms.
"But I do recognise this is a distinct new challenge", which is why meetings will be taking place this afternoon "to see what more needs to be done".
The Chancellor has been "deeply engaged with businesses representatives throughout" the pandemic, the City minister insists.
Rishi Sunak is in the US on Government business, but will continue to engage with members of the hospitality industry and others, John Glen adds.
"I won't be taking lessons from the right hon gentleman about some of these measures. Last year, when we pout in place these bounce back loans, it was the shadow chancellor who engaged specifically with the Chancellor to agree the basis for these loans and we have continued to work constructively throughout," he says.
"Of course the Government recognises the additional pressures that these measures and this strain of the virus brings, and of course we will be engaging and listening carefully to those business representatives this afternoon."
Pat McFadden, the shadow Treasury minister, says Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor is isolating "but where is the Chancellor?"
He adds: "Even if he is in California, it is hardly a communications desert. They have television there. I have even heard they have the internet. But it's still radio silence from the Chancellor - tumbleweed rolling through the Treasury."
The Labour frontbencher notes that adhering to new advice will have a "clear and direct impact on the hospitality industry, on live music, on theatre and other public events across the country".
He notes that Government documents leave open a decision depending on the circumstances and "that time is now".
He calls for "proper sick pay", support for hospitality and live events, and asks what is being done to shore up supply chains in the event of widespread absences.
Back in the main chamber, a Treasury minister has said Rishi Sunak will be speaking to UK hospitality representatives "to understand their concerns" this afternoon.
The Chancellor is thought to be in the US - meaning he cannot respond to the UQ in his name.
But John Glen, the City minister, indicated that there were no current plans to go beyond what is currently on offer.
He said moving to Plan B was the "responsible step" and acknowledged it was a "challenging time" for firms.
However, he stressed there was "considerable support to businesses that might require extra assistance into next spring".
Prof Chris Whitty has said "anybody who has something that really matters to them" should prioritise that, as he refused to rule out any type of social plan in the run-up to Christmas.
Speaking to the health affairs committee, he told MPs; "I am advising people to prioritise - if the most important thing for them to do in the next 10 days is to go to a football match, that is the priority for them."
But if people did not want to "end up self isolating or unwell at a time you really don't want to be, then probably going to want to do fewer other things".
People should not "accept everything" that they are asked to do, he adds.
In terms of office Christmas parties, he stressed he was "trying to avoid making other people's choices for them", but that people should "go to the things that matter to them and cut down on the things that don't".
The largest union in the UK has called on the Chancellor to bring forward a new package of support for firms affected by the change in advice on Christmas socialising today.
Hospitality firms have warned that hundreds of bookings are being cancelled in the wake of Boris Johnson and Prof Chris Whitty's press conference yesterday, in which the public was advised to "prioritise" social engagements amid a warning they may put their plans for Christmas Day at risk.
UK Hospitality dubbed it "lockdown by stealth".
Sharon Graham, leader of Unite, said: "The Government must bring forward a package of support for hospitality workers today. The uncertainty the Prime Minister is causing is devastating - workers don't know if they will even have a job to go to next week. This is an appalling position to put people in.
"Hospitality workers did not cause this crisis and they should not be the ones who pay for it. They still have rent to find and bills to pay but are seeing their incomes disappear before their eyes. They need help now."
Grant Shapps has said it is "completely untrue" that he is "playing politics" with Transport for London's funding, after being accused of dragging his heels on finding a solution.
Sam Tarry, a shadow transport minister, said: "This week Londoners have listened to Government advice, done the right thing and worked from home to keep our NHS and communities safe, and as a result passenger levels of course dropped by over a quarter, which means there is a further impact on TFL's revenue.
"All the while ministers continue to force a cliff-edge negotiation on TFL finances in what only can be seen as a political attack that will punish hardworking Londoners simply for doing the right thing."
But the Transport Secretary said he had received a letter from Sadiq Khan about next steps "about three weeks late".
He added: "Not unreasonably, on behalf of the taxpayers I therefore went back to him and asked him to clarify some of those points. He accuses us of playing politics with this issue. Completely untrue."
Wes Streeting has told Joy Morrissey to apologise to Prof Chris Whirry for her "extremely poorly judged tweet".
The Conservative MP deleted her post, in which she blasted the "unelected" Chief Medical Officer for suggesting people scale down their Christmas plans, saying: ""I know it's difficult to remember but that's how democracy works. This is not a public health socialist state."
But Labour's shadow health secretary says she must go further.
A former minister has said politicians should not indulge in "personal attacks" towards members of the civil service.
Julian Smith, a former chief whip and Northern Ireland secretary, said such actions "are completely unacceptable".
He doesn't name any names - but his tweet was posted shortly after Joy Morrissey's tirade against Prof Chris Whitty.
Joy Morrissey has deleted a tweet attacking Prof Chris Whitty, after it attracted widespread criticism and no small amount of raised eyebrows.
In her post, the MP for Beaconsfield said: "Perhaps the unelected covid public health spokesperson should defer to what our ELECTED Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister have decided.
"I know it's difficult to remember but that's how democracy works. This is not a public health socialist state."
That prompted Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, to respond, saying: "It is outrageous to see a Government PPS (parliamentary private secretary) attacking the Chief Medical Officer in this way. She should apologise and withdraw this immediately.
"Chris Whitty has never disputed where policy is made - he makes this point repeatedly."
See 9:46am for more
Hospitality firms have been thrown into a "zombie world" by current concerns and government messaging, the chief executive of Shepherd Neame has claimed.
Jonathan Neame told Times Radio: "We've seen a significant number of cancellations and that's accelerating every day, and will accelerate even further after the news last night, which seems to have thrown us back into that sort of zombie world of the first week of March, of the pandemic last year."
That was echoed by Dominic Paul, chief executive of takeaway chain Domino's Pizza, who said parts of the hospitality industry "are going to have a really tough few months".
He added: "The Government showed a real willingness to support the industry before and I think they probably will again."
Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge has highlighted the suffering in the sector when he revealed one of his restaurants has seen more than 650 cancellations in the past six days due to Omicron fears.
A Conservative MP has hit out at "the unelected" Prof Chris Whitty for having suggested that people dial down their plans for socialising ahead of Christmas.
Joy Morrissey, the MP for Beaconsfield, said the Chief Medical Officer should "defer" to the restrictions as voted for in Parliament earlier this week, adding: "This is not a public health socialist state."
Given that Prof Whitty was standing next to Boris Johnson when he made those comments - and was not contradicted - her response is particularly interesting.
Rishi Sunak has been attacked for "eating out to help out" in California while businesses in the UK are struggling.
The Chancellor is reportedly in the USA on an official trip, but Labour has called for him to return to provide support for firms after the public was told to scale back their Christmas plans.
Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, told Sky News: "My message to Rishi Sunak is it's no good eating out to help out in the United States.
"Get yourself on a plane, get back home, get business leaders around the table with the trade unions to thrash out the package of support that people need."
A minister has said she is "glad" she cancelled her trip to France, after the country announced it would be banning UK tourists from the weekend.
From midnight Saturday (11pm GMT Friday) people must have an "essential reason" to enter France from the UK, regardless of vaccination status. Tourists and business travellers are prohibited.
Asked for her response, Gillian Keegan, the health minister, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Well, actually, my first thought is 'I'm glad that I cancelled my trip to France', because that's where I was supposed to go for Christmas.
"But, of course, every government is dealing with omicron, every government has to make their decisions and has their response to it, you know. It is obviously going to alter people's plans, which is very unfortunate."
Ministers might have thought they were on easy street with recess beginning in a couple of hours, but the Speaker has other plans.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle has granted an urgent question from shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Pat McFadden: "To ask the Chancellor if he will make a statement on government support for business given the advice to 'de-prioritise social contacts'."
Rishi Sunak seems to be abroad so the response will likely fall to one of his junior ministers - but given that even Tory MPs are concerned about the impact it is having on their local businesses, this could be a tough gig.
Tougher still might be the UQ granted to Tom Tugendhat, "to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if she will make a statement on FCDO staffing".
Given Liz Truss was assuring Boris Johnson it was not the case - prompting the PM to declare staff cuts "fake news" - this could be quite the session. Already MPs have suggested he lied to Parliament.
See more at 8:37am
France will introduce "drastically tighter" rules for travellers from the UK in an attempt to counter the spread of the omicron variant.
French government spokesman Gabriel Attal told BFM television that people must have a negative test result a maximum of 24 hours before travelling, half the current time.
"We will limit the reasons for coming to France from the UK, it will be limited to French nationals and residents and their families," he added.
"Tourism or business trips for people who do not have French or European nationality or are residents will be limited.
"People will have to register on an app ... and will have to self-isolate in a place of their choosing for seven days - controlled by the security forces - but this can be shortened to 48 hours if a negative test is carried out in France."
The measures are expected to come into effect at the weekend.
Just to add to the sense of deja vu, Rishi Sunak has gone AWOL and Labour are demanding that he "come out of hiding".
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves - who is currently self-isolating having tested positive earlier this week - and Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow business secretary, have written to their counterparts to call for support amid the "closures by stealth".
"It was with great concern that we both met with business leaders and major trade bodies yesterday, and learnt that many of them hadn’t had proper engagement from government on how plan B and the necessary restrictions resulting from omicron would affect them," the pair write.
"Since then, the public have been told to 'de-prioritise social contact'. Following the science is crucial, but this will hit businesses and workers hard, especially in sectors like hospitality and leisure. Businesses face a perfect storm of cancelled bookings, rising costs and staff shortages."
Businesses have been left "in the worst of all worlds", Theresa May's former chief of staff has said.
Lord (Gavin) Barwell, who served in Number 10 under the previous prime minister, appeared to blame MPs who had fought against Covid restrictions for the lack of financial support for hospitality.
The Attorney General could seek to increase the sentence handed to the mother of a murdered toddler, a minister has said.
Frankie Smith was given an eight year sentence for allowing the death of her daughter, Star Hobson, at the hands of her partner, Savannah Brockhill.
Asked whether Smith's sentence represents justice, Ms Keegan told LBC it "doesn't sound like it, does it? It doesn't sound enough, as a human being, it doesn't sound enough."
Ms Keegan, who has responsibility for care in her brief, added: "It's a shocking, shocking case - I mean, it's quite unbelievable. And also the case of poor Arthur (Labinjo-Hughes) as well. I mean, it's just unbelievable.
"I mean, obviously the judge and the jury have made their... they recently passed the sentence but, you know, I guess the Attorney General has that power as well. So I don't know..."
She added: "It doesn't fit within my remit but it fits within hers (Suella Braverman, the Attorney General's), so I'm sure that she'll be having those conversations."
During yesterday's back and forth of PMQs, Boris Johnson was challenged by Tory MP Tom Tugendhat about staff cuts at the Foreign Office.
The Prime Minister told the senior backbencher it was "fake news" - but it seems the Tonbridge and Malling MP was on the money.
Could Mr Johnson be made to come back to the Commons to correct the record?
Over the last couple of years the Mayor of Greater Manchester has played a prominent part in fighting for support for businesses forced to shut as a result of Covid, particularly when regional tiers meant that parts of the North were suffering closures while the rest of the country was open.
This morning he has reprised that role.
A minister has said she haa been forced to cancel a skiing trip over Christmas due to the rising threat of omicron.
Gillian Keegan, the health minister, told LBC she had altered her plans for the festive period "several times".
She added: "I was, at one point, intending to go away skiing, but that's changed.
"So now I will be with a small group, I think there six of us - actually there was going to be seven for Christmas Day but one person has tested positive so will be isolating over Christmas Day - so I think there's going to be six of us."
Rishi Sunak should "get himself on a flight back and get a grip on the situation", a Labour frontbencher has said amid reports the Chancellor is in California.
The Daily Mirror reported that Mr Sunak was on a four-day official trip to the US where he would meet industry leaders from the tech and investment sectors.
But Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary. said Mr Sunak should come back to the UK to agree a deal to help businesses hit by lower footfall due to the rise in Covid-19.
He told Times Radio: "We understand the Chancellor is currently out of the country in California. So perhaps he might want to get himself on a flight back and get a grip on the situation because businesses need certainty and confidence now."
Wes Streeting said he was rethinking his Christmas plans in light of the rising cases of coronavirus.
The shadow health secretary told ITV's Good Morning Britain that he was "not sure what Christmas is going to be like in my house", adding it was a "real dilemma".
He said: "I'm going to try and strike the right balance on this I think by, you know, still going out and still trying to enjoy Christmas, still going to see friends and family, but just taking some sensible precautions to do so safely."
Labour has called on the Government to "hammer out a deal to help hospitality" amid reports bookings have been cancelled over fears of Covid.
Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, told ITV's Good Morning Britain that Labour had supported Covid passes because they were "pro-business", adding: "This is one of the ways in which we can coexist with the virus without having to hammer businesses with restrictions, either closures or indeed, restrictions on numbers."
He added: "The Chancellor and the Business Secretary need to get business leaders around the table with trade union leaders to hammer out a deal to help hospitality because, you know, they really need us right now.
"Those businesses are having a hard time at the moment and we want Government to be by their side."
Boris Johnson and Professor Chris Whitty were "both basically saying the same thing" in their coronavirus messaging, a health minister insisted.
Commentators have seized on the fact that the CMO was far more cautious than the Prime Minister, who stressed: "We're not cancelling events. We're not closing down hospitality, we're not cancelling people's parties or their ability to to mix, what we are saying is, think carefully before you go."
But Gillian Keegan said the Prime Minister had - along with the chief medical officer for England - urged caution in the run-up to Christmas.
She told Times Radio: "What they were saying was prioritise, because obviously the more contacts you have, the more chance you have of testing positive, and that would mean that you'd be isolated on Christmas Day."
She added: "Obviously if you want to have a family Christmas, then be cautious, otherwise you could end up testing positive and having to isolate over Christmas. That's the message."
Ministers are hoping to vaccinate enough teenagers to keep schools open throughout January, Gillian Keegan has said.
Asked about the prospect of more closures come the new year, the health minister told Sky News: "That's why we've introduced the second dose of vaccination for 12 to 15-year-olds, so we're hoping all those that haven't been vaccinated with their first dose come forward and those eligible for their second dose get those over the Christmas holiday period.
"Teachers get your boosters, that is going to be the best way that we're going to make sure that we can keep everything going, really, whether it's schools or restaurants or hospitality or you know, many, many things will be requiring people to be there, so that's the best approach."
She added it was "fully the intention" to keep schools open.
The Government is "not intending to make any more restrictions" between now and Christmas Day, a minister has said.
But Boris Johnson "won't hesitate" to recall Parliament if he needed to bring in extra measures after that, Gillian Keegan added.
The health minister said the focus now was to offer everyone a booster jab by the end of the year, although noted that it was a "very stretching target".
Asked if she was confident it would be met, she paused before saying a less than emphatic "yes".
She added: "I think the one thing I'm confident about... is they can meet big targets, the infrastructure's there, the logistics are there, obviously the Army's coming in to help, masses of volunteers are coming in to help."
People testing positive for Covid from now on will have to isolate over Christmas Day, a minister has warned.
Gillian Keegan rejected suggestions that Boris Johnson had imposed "lockdown by stealth" on the British public, but stressed: "Everybody is urging caution."
She told Sky News: "Most of us will know somebody now who's positive with Covid, and that means if you've tested positive, then you'll be in isolation over Christmas. So that's bound to make people a bit more cautious."
She said: "Make a sensible choice for yourself, make a sensible choice. You know, if you're going to go to a party, take a test. If there's lots of people there you don't know, if that's your priority, fine. If your priority is to make it through to Christmas Day with your family then take a different approach.
"Everybody's got different pros and cons, you know, so make a sensible decision but definitely wear a mask and definitely, you know, make sure that you take a test beforehand and also try to go to well-ventilated places as well."
The entire leadership of the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs joined the rebellion over Boris Johnson’s plan for Covid passports, it emerged on Wednesday.
It came as Tory MPs were told they can email letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson over Christmas, in a blow to allies who hoped the festive break might ease the pressure on the Prime Minister.
There had been a presumption in Westminster that only letters that were physically handed to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, would be counted to avoid the risk of forgeries.
This would have meant that letters would need to be submitted to him before the Commons rises on Thursday, or else wait until the House returns three weeks later in January. However, Sir Graham has privately made clear that he will accept letters that are emailed and followed up by a phone call.
Have you cancelled your pre-Christmas plans?
Last night's press conference seems to have caused a trickle to turn into a flood of last-minute drop outs - leaving hospitality firms fearing 'lockdown by stealth'.
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