‘Easter can be new Christmas’ as UK Government cautions over easing of Covid-19 rules

The first vaccination figures showed almost 138,000 people in the UK have received the jab so far.

UK Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is resuming talks over the festive plans. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA

The British Government is to press ahead with the easing of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas even though it will lead to an increase in the infection rate, a senior minister has said.

UK Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that it would be up to people to make a “personal judgment” whether they wanted to meet up with vulnerable family members over the holiday period.