Health Secretary Matt Hancock does not rule out national lockdown

direct to your inbox Matt Hancock told MPs that there are 'early indications' the coronavirus vaccine works on the new variants of the virus, Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, the Health Secretary said that there are signs the Covid-19 vaccine deals with newer variants in the same way that it does the older variant of the virus.It comes after fears the variant, dubbed B.1.1.7, has mutations that may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines designed to protect against the

direct to your inboxThere are more people in UK hospitals with coronavirus than at any other time during the pandemic - with a person admitted every 30 seconds.Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave the update during a Downing Street press conference this evening (January 18).A further 599 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, according to the latest Government figures.Mr Hancock said the NHS is currently under “significant pressure” throughout the country.There are currently

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direct to your inboxThe Health Secretary has 'ruled out' removing childcare or support bubbles in a bid to combat spiralling coronavirus cases.Matt Hancock was speaking at a Downing Street press briefing this evening about efforts to keep the current spike of Covid-19 under control.There had been rumours that Number 10 was considering axing the bubbles to try and further reduce the number of interactions between households.But Mr Hancock said: "I can rule out removing the bubbles that we have in

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direct to your inboxMatt Hancock has stressed to parents that schools are for key workers' children only during the third national lockdown. It comes after rows erupted over parents 'needlessly' taking up key worker spaces in schools.

direct to your inboxMatt Hancock said he didn't "want to speculate" on the possibility of tougher measures being brought in as coronavirus rates continue to rise.

vaccine by the autumn, absolutely.

direct to your inboxMatt Hancock has said he 'backs the police' over their enforcement of the lockdown rulesThe Health Secretary was quizzed about Derbyshire Police's approach to policing the stringent measures after they fined two women for their daily walk at a remote spot around five miles from their homes for alleged breaches of lockdown laws. The force has since said all fixed penalty notices issued during the new national lockdown will be reviewed following a string of criticism.

direct to your inboxThe Oxford coronavirus vaccine will go to care home residents and staff first, the Health Secretary has said.Writing exclusively for the Mirror, Matt Hancock said 2020 'can be a year of renewal'.