Cornwall will stay in Tier One of the coronavirus restrictions over the Christmas period, while parts of the East and South East will move into Tier 3 following a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Devon will stay in Tier Two.

The review of restrictions will see 68% of the population of England in the highest Tier Three from Saturday.

30% will be living under Tier Two restrictions while just 2% will be in Tier One.

Bristol and North Somerset will move from Tier Two down into Tier One.

In response to a question from MP Jeremy Hunt calling for clarity on the Christmas rules, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that “People should act with great caution, because it protects them, their families and their loved ones.”

He said that people should reduce social contact in the days up to meeting family members, particularly those over 70.

While refraining from bringing in stricter limits on household mixing, such as those in Scotland, over the five-day Christmas relaxation period, the Health Secretary said that families and individuals should consider whether it was the right thing for them to do individually depending on their own circumstances. People are being advised to "keep it small" and not to travel out of area over the holiday.

Meanwhile looking ahead to January, the return of students to secondary schools in England is set to be staggered, with learning to take place online initially in some areas.