Michael Gove says it is his “fervent hope” that England’s new lockdown will end on 2 December – but that ministers will be “guided by the facts”. “We do need to get the R rate below 1,” the Cabinet Office minister told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show. The strict measures are due to come into force from Thursday. Pubs, restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops and places of worship will close, but schools, colleges and universities can stay open.

The prime minister is expected to deliver a statement in the Commons on Monday before a vote on the latest restrictions on Wednesday. Labour has said it will back the lockdown.  Boris Johnson said he expects the lockdown to last until 2 December, after which England’s regional tiered system will be reintroduced. But Mr Gove told the BBC decisions would “obviously be guided by the facts”.(BBC)…[+]