The Daily Mail says it has been told by a government source that lockdown could end two weeks early, on 5 July, if the data on coronavirus continues to improve. According to the paper, it comes amid growing evidence that the “assumptions used by government scientists to justify delaying Freedom Day were too pessimistic”. It says although cases of the Indian variant are still rising, the rate of growth has fallen in recent days. Ministers believe a 19 July reopening remains most likely though the paper adds.