Boris Johnson has urged families to scale down their festive celebrations despite rules staying in place allowing three households to mix.

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas - I am afraid this year I do mean little," he said at a Downing Street briefing.

The Prime Minister said that England was "winning in its fight against the virus" but added that people must exercise "extreme caution" as Covid spreads invisibly between asymptomatic victims.

For more, head to our Covid live blog: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/coronavirus-news-covid-christmas-london-tier-rules-review-cases/

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