Health Secretary Matt Hancock is considering even stricter measures on areas hardest-hit by COVID-19, according to The Times. This could include the closure of non-essential shops if mass testing fails to effectively monitor the most recent wave.
The “bleakest of midwinters” could be in store for the UK with the latest updates on COVID tiers, the Daily Mail quotes Conservative MP Rob Butler as saying.
The Daily Mirror is leading with a report on the 38 million people facing Tier 3 restrictions ahead of five days of easing for Christmas.Read more on this story here.
The Independent is reporting on comments from women and equalities minister Liz Truss about the “new approach” to the government’s equality policy. She said the plans should move away from “fashionable” issues of race, sexuality and gender, believing the current conversation is dictated by “those who believe people are defined by their protected characteristic”.
The front of the i has focused on the latest coronavirus rundown in the UK. This includes the widening of Tier 3 restrictions, the refusal to downgrade tiers in northern cities, and the furlough scheme extension.
“Boris won’t buckle” to the EU’s demands on a Brexit trade deal, the Daily Express reports – even if it means a no-deal scenario when the transition period ends in two weeks. Read more on this story here.
Leading The Daily Telegraph is Boris Johnson’s conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the “serious situation” of Brexit trade talks. The prime minister asked Ms von der Leyen for help with pushing forward on two final steps in the hopes of reaching an agreement at the weekend. Read more on this story here.
Analysis from The Guardian reveals the number of patient diversions to other hospitals in the last week has reached the highest figure in four years. This, the newspaper says, demonstrates how much the healthcare system is struggling with the latest wave of coronavirus. It also comes after several NHS Trusts said on Thursday that non-urgent operations had been put on hold due to the pressure from COVID-19. Read more on this story here.
Nearly 40% of nurses have been forced to go without meals or use food banks due to low pay, according to the Metro. Niaomi Gordon, a 32-year-old nurse who has suffered with long-COVID, spoke to the newspaper about using food banks as she struggles to support herself and her 14-year-old son.
The front of the Financial Times has a scoop about China and the EU rushing to seal an investment deal that would give the latter wider access to the Chinese market. According to officials from both sides, the chances of an agreement being reached are growing, despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.