Housing and Local Communities Minister Robert Jenrick told Sky News that families should use their 'personal judgement' when deciding what to do during the festive period.

He added that "Easter [could] be the new Christmas" for some families.

Mr Jenrick's plea came as leaders from the four nations of the UK prepared to meet later in the day to discuss a plan to ease restrictions for family gatherings between December 23 and December 27.

Scientists have raised their concerns about the proposal, which would allow three households to form a bubble over that five-day period, amid a sharp spike in new infections in the last few weeks.

Read more about Christmas during coronavirus: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/coronavirus-news-covid-christmas-london-tier-rules-review-cases/

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