Matt Hancock's family home revealed - including a huge tribute to the Queen

direct to your inboxMatt Hancock today set out why the 'facts on the ground' mean that the coronavirus lockdown will not be lifted anytime soon. The Health Secretary was asked to spell out how, and when, the strict lockdown measures will be eased at a Downing Street press conference on Monday.

coronavirus pandemic. Number 10 said Mr Hancock, who came out of self-isolation at the weekend after being contacted by Track and Trace, will lead the press conference.It is not clear yet who will join him on the podiums.

coronavirus cases being low enough to ease restrictions. In an interview this morning with Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News, he said: "There is early evidence that the lockdown is starting to bring cases down."But we are a long, long, long way from that being low enough because the case rate was incredibly high."You can see the pressure on the NHS you can see it every day.

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

Sign up for the latest from M.E.N.

direct to your inboxMatt Hancock has been challenged on Good Morning Britain on whether teachers could be 'bumped up' the priority vaccine list.The governments aim is to have offered the top four priority groups - including the clinically extremely vulnerable and care home residents - either the Pfizer or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine by mid-February.

direct to your inboxMatt Hancock was left unable to answer Piers Morgan after being accused of being 'shamed' into offering free schools meals by Marcus Rashford. The health secretary appeared on Good Morning Britain to be quizzed by Piers and Susanna Reid on the vaccine roll-out.

direct to your inbox Hospital patients could soon be discharged into hotels to free up beds for those suffering with coronavirus under new plans being considered by the government. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the NHS is looking at plans to move some patients into hotels to ease the mounting pressure on hospitals.

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

Sign up for the latest from M.E.N.

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.