Responding to the latest information released last night from SAGE, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said:

“In light of the information released last night from SAGE there is a concern that the measures announced yesterday do not go far enough.

“The NHS has to be able to treat every patient, COVID and non-COVID, who needs help this winter, the NHS’s busiest time of year.

“A key way to ensure this happens is to reduce the number of COVID cases to as low a level as possible.

“We are therefore now urging politicians to listen to the scientific advice and move as fast and as decisively as possible if other parts of the country need tougher lockdown measures to control the spread of the virus. We must err on the side of ensuring the NHS is enabled to do its job of helping anyone who needs its help.”