‘Optimism’ over lifting restrictions by June 21

Boris Johnson has said he is "very optimistic" that he will be able to fully remove all of England's coronavirus restrictions on June 21 but warned "nothing can be guaranteed".

The Prime Minister urged the nation to be "prudent" by continuing to follow the rules after publishing his road map to gradually lift the third national lockdown.

Facing criticism from some Tory MPs over the pace of change, Mr Johnson said he was "hopeful" that all legal controls can be removed on the final date earmarked in his four-step plan.

Mr Johnson also announced that senior minister Michael Gove will lead a review into the possible use of vaccine passports to access currently closed venues, such as pubs and theatres.

And he said Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget next week will be a "Budget for jobs and to protect people throughout the pandemic and beyond".

Having insisted that he will be led by "data not dates", the Prime Minister expressed optimism that relaxations will be complete by June 21, as tentatively scheduled in his road map, when nightclubs could reopen and large-scale events resume.

"I'm hopeful but obviously nothing can be guaranteed and it all depends on the way we continue to be prudent and continue to follow the guidance in each stage," he told reporters during a visit to Sedgehill Academy, in Lewisham, south-east London.

"Genuinely, because of the immense possibilities of the rollout, because science has given us this way of creating a shield around our population, we can really look at that June 21 date with some optimism.

"I'm very optimistic that we'll be able to get there."