In its top story, the Times says government scientific advisers have warned that the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions over Christmas will cost lives and risk a third lockdown in January, but that ministers believe families’ need for contact outweighs this. The paper’s front page also reports news that Brexit negotiators are locked in a “stand-off” over sausages “as the prospect grows of a trade ban at the end of the year” which could see Irish sausages taken off British supermarket shelves and German bratwurst turned back at Calais.