Responding to the emphatic vote in support of new lockdown measures by MPs, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said:

“This vote is a resounding endorsement of the decision to introduce the new lockdown restrictions.

“Ahead of the debate we urged MPs to back these measures in order to curb the spread of the virus and help protect NHS capacity to deal with the combined challenges of COVID-19, growing winter pressures and the work to recover important care backlogs from the first wave of the pandemic.

“We also said it was important that the vote sent a strong signal about the importance of public compliance with the new restrictions.

“The clear support from MPs for the lockdown measures should reassure people that, notwithstanding the real impact on people’s liberties, livelihoods, their mental health and the wider economy, this is the right thing to do.”