The Health Secretary will give a statement to MPs this afternoon after Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday pledged an update on reducing the isolation period "as fast as possible". The Government has been under pressure to copy countries like the US and cut the time needed to quarantine for those with Covid.

       After a surge in infections in recent weeks, the policy change would help more quickly return staff to workplaces.

       Vital services such as the NHS, schools, and food distributors have warned they are currently suffering from a large number of absences due to high infection rates.

       More than a million people are currently in quarantine after testing positive for the virus over the past week.

       England's current policy required all those with Covid to isolate for at least seven days, with the period extended to ten days if they fail to provide evidence of two negative lateral flow tests on days six and seven.

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       UK scientists had previously rejected calls for the isolation period to be cut to five days, claiming their policy was broadly in line with the US.

       They inaccurately stated that in America the five day isolation period only began when an infection was confirmed by a positive test whereas in the UK it begins when someone first started showing symptoms.

       Pressure has grown on the matter after the UK Health and Security Agency clarified that the isolation in the US begins at the same time as it does in Britain.

       Their mistake left MPs and ministers alike furious, with the UK widely tipped to be planning to now reassess its policy.

       Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted at his support when he said he was "certainly looking" at a reduction of the isolation period.

       A number of Cabinet ministers have publicly given their support to a policy change.

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       At the weekend Education Secretary said the reduction would help keep children in the classroom.

       He said: "The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have said they want to review it, so we will stick to seven days but if they review it and say they will bring it down to five days that is even better for me, it’s even more helpful."

       On Monday Michel Gove added the quarantine period "should" be shortened if possible.

       He said: "We've already reduced the self-isolation period from 10 to seven days. If it's safe to reduce it further then we should.

       "The most important thing is to ensure that we are we are in a position to protect the NHS and to protect public services.

       "You have to balance a desire to make sure people on the front line are there doing the jobs they need to do but also not in a situation where they are further spreading infection, leading to even more people being off work."

       Mr Javid will give his update to MPs at approximately 12.30pm.

       The Government has given no indication of what he is set to announce.