The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Four nations agree on ‘bubbling’ festive plans
Ministers across the four nations of the United Kingdom support allowing “some limited additional household bubbling” over the Christmas period, the UK Government has confirmed.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been locked in talks with the UK Government over plans for a “cautious relaxation” of coronavirus restrictions during the festive period, with governments across the UK hoping to finalise arrangements in the next week.
Scotland , England , Wales and Northern Ireland are working to produce a “single set of arrangements” that can apply across the UK and have said they support “some limited additional household bubbling” for a “small number of days”.
It comes ahead of a statement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the House of Commons today, where he will set out his “winter Covid-19 plan ”, including some detail on how people can see their loved ones over Christmas.
Christmas arrangements are yet to be finalised but the statement released on behalf of the four nations said this will “not be a normal festive period” and the risks of transmissions remain “very real”.
The statement adds that the public will be advised to “remain cautious” and “wherever possible people should avoid travelling and minimise social contact”.
Work is continuing to finalise the arrangements, including those relating to travel, but ministers have said they hope to conclude this work this week, subject to agreement by each administration.
Speaking on the BBC’s Politics Scotland, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the aim is for an agreement to be reached across the four nations that allows for some “cautious relaxation” around Christmas.
However, she stressed the public must be careful because as soon as households start mixing together, the virus will spread.
The prime minister is also expected to confirm today that the national lockdown in England will end on December 2, with a return to the tiered system.
Speaking on the Sophy Ridge On Sunday show, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “I think, frustrating as it is for all of us, Christmas is not going to be normal this year.
“But that said, the prime minister and everyone else, we’re looking at ways to see how families can spend some time with each other over (the) Christmas period.
“Obviously that’ s something that we would like to do and it’s been a difficult year for all of us, but as I said it’s not going to be a normal Christmas this year.”
It comes as the prime minister faces the threat of a backbench revolt to his “winter Covid plan” for England after dozens of Conservative MPs warned they could not back further restrictions without extensive evidence. Downing Street said more areas are expected to enter higher tiers next month, while those tiers will be strengthened to safeguard the gains made during the four-week lockdown.
Mr Johnson was warned in a letter by the Covid Recovery Group ( CRG), said by a source close to the group to be signed by 70 Tory MPs, that he will have to provide a cost-benefit analysis to show the restrictions “will save more lives than they cost”.
But Mr Sunak suggested providing the evidence they require will be a tall order, paving the way for a significant challenge to get Parliament’s approval for the restrictions when MPs get a vote in the days before the restrictions are to come into force.