Half of England now in heightened coronavirus restrictions

Greater Manchester continues to resist the highest controls as most of England experiences increased pandemic measures (Martin Rickett/PA)

More than half of England is living with heightened coronavirus restrictions after the severest measures came into force in Lancashire and Londoners were banned from meeting indoors.

The measures came into force as Greater Manchester continued to resist the highest controls as the region’s political leaders fight to secure more financial support for workers and businesses.