The current lockdown restrictions in England will remain in place until at least March 8th, when schools in all parts of England might be allowed to reopen “if the conditions are right”.
The prime minister Boris Johnson said reopening schools any earlier could result in another surge in Covid cases. He said data on hospital admissions and the vaccine roll-out would need to be carefully studied before any relaxation was possible.
Once England’s schools return, there will be a gradual unlocking of other restrictions, as long as the scientific evidence supports that.
Northern Ireland has already extended its lockdown into March with plans in Wales and Scotland under review.
Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by political editor Laura Kuenssberg and education editor Branwen Jeffreys.
