Responding to the government's announcement of forming Christmas bubbles with friends and family, NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery said:

"We completely understand that many families will want to be able to get together over the festive break, particularly at the end of such a difficult year. But relaxing of social distancing will inevitably carry a price for an already overstretched and busy NHS.

"It could lead to a damaging third surge in COVID cases in the depths of winter when the NHS is at its most vulnerable.

"It feels premature to be deciding on the plan for the Christmas period, when we do not know the situation we will all be in by then.

"It's encouraging that there are signs that the lockdown is starting to work but as the prime minister has warned, this is no time for complacency.

"We would urge everyone to think very carefully and to closely follow all the rules set out today to reduce the risks of transmission."