Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today announced the UK government’s COVID Winter Plan ahead of England’s second national lockdown coming to an end on 2nd December.
He announced the plan during an address to MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Mr Johnson revealed that the combined actions of the public to adhere to national lockdown restrictions over the past three weeks have been “making a difference” in curbing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), but that “we are not out of the woods yet.”
The end of England’s national lockdown on 2nd December was formally announced.
The COVID Winter Plan seeks to provide a new blueprint to fight the pandemic and looks to not only save lives during the winter, but also prevent an anticipated Commons revolt by rebel Tory MPs.
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BREAKING: Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms that national #COVID19 restrictions in England will end on 2 December.
But the PM adds that a regional tiered approach will return when lockdown ends.
All non-essential shops, gyms, leisure facilities and hairdressers will reopen across the country when the lockdown ends.
Weddings and collective worship will also be allowed.
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The “rule of six” will also be returning across the country, meaning people will no longer be limited to seeing only one other person in outdoor public.
The Prime Minister confirmed that England will enter into a revised and strengthened tier system – which he indicated is required to be stricter than before the national lockdown as the scientific evidence suggested those restrictions did not keep the R number below – and will apply “the toughest measures where COVID most prevalent”.
The new three tier system will see:
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Tier 1– People continue to work from home where possible.
Tier 2 – Only pubs serving “substantial meals” can open.
Tier 3 – Hospitality will be required to close – except for delivery and takeaway – and indoor entertainment venues must also close.
Spectator sports will also be able to resume in Tier 1 & 2, with limits on attendance.
BREAKING: Boris Johnson announces changes to Tier 1, 2 and 3 in England making them "tougher".
He says those in Tier 1 should work from home where possible and in Tier 2, alcohol will only be served in hospitality settings as part of a substantial meal.https://t.co/7ykLlI4Boapic.twitter.com/qsL4eyMits
The Prime Minister said he is “very sorry” for the “hardship” caused to business owners.
He confirmed that the tiers will now be a “uniform set of measures” with no local negotiations, and with regard to the 10pm curfew – which critics claim did more harm that good – he confirmed that last orders will now be 10pm, with one hour to finish drinks, and a final close at 11pm.
People in England will also be able to travel abroad for holidays once again from 2nd December, although they will remain subject to quarantine rules.
A scrapping of the self-isolation period for COVID contacts was also announced.
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In his address this afternoon, Mr Johnson did not however provide any further information on the proposed Christmas ‘break’ announced over the weekend, although government ministers are reportedly believed to be working on plans for three households and a five-day break – from Christmas Eve to 28th December – subject to agreement from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments.
An announcement – which will confirm how many households will be able to bubble together at Christmas, or how long the break in restrictions will last – is currently planned for tomorrow.
"By maintaining the pressure on the virus we can also enable people to see more of their family and friends over Christmas."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News this morning that a final decision “hasn’t been made”
He said the government will “confirm it when we have that agreement across the four nations”, and added: “We’ve agreed in principle that there should be a set of rules that applies across the board that is balanced, that allows a little bit more freedom, but is still safe.”
Mr Johnson is due to announce which tier each part of the country will be placed into on Thursday.
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It has not yet been indicated at this point how long the revised three tier system will be in place for, and whether areas will enter into different tiers depending on case numbers.
The COVID Winter Plan can be accessed in full here.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Leigh Leopards share update regarding Tesi Niu allegations
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester rugby league side Leigh Leopards have now issued an update addressing the allegations levelled at one of their players, Tesi Niu.
With the statement coming directly from the club’s owner, Derek Beaumont, the club have shed light on their understanding of the situation.
Beaumont, who bought the team over a decade ago and rebranded it from ‘Centurions’ to the Leopards back in 2022 (and also owns a local decking company based in Worsley), appeared to speak on behalf of the club following the accusations made last week.
Sharing an official communication on social media on Wednesday afternoon, 8 January, they open by saying that “the club is aware of social media activity of concern from one of its players’ accounts, that of Tesi Niu.”
“The club can confirm that the player’s account was accessed externally and without his knowledge or consent”, they continue, “and [was] deleted a short period thereafter.”
“We were instantly aware of this as it happened”, says the Leigh Leopards owner. “As a club, we have policies and procedures and employ a Player Welfare Manager who is a qualified counsellor.
“Our first port of call in these circumstances is to ensure the welfare of our player and any external party that may be involved. This was immediately initiated.
“Having since personally spoken with Tesi and Kiana individually and at length, and then our Player Welfare Manager and Head Coach, I am completely satisfied that they are both being fully supported.
“I can also confirm that there is no official complaint to the club regarding the player, nor to any relevant authorities. To that end, the club will make no further statements about the matter and would welcome supporters’ trust in the club’s processes and findings.”
For context, you can read what 24-year-old Niu has been accused of in full down below.
While the organisation has now insisted that nothing formal has been raised within the club nor with the police at this time, many supporters are still insisting that there must be a full investigation into the troubling claims.
At present, however, the statement seems to suggest that they won’t be taking the matter any further internally – at least not for now/until a proper case is opened.
Nevertheless, many Leopards supporters, rugby fans and people online in general have understandably raised more concerns following the statement.
Neither Tesi Niu himself nor Kiana Smith – his partner of more than five years, currently said to be pregnant with their third child – has yet to share any further message(s) following the initial declaration of alleged abuse.
Three children sustain ‘serious injuries’ after falling from top deck window of school bus
Emily Sergeant
Three children have sustained ‘potentially serious injuries’ after falling out of a window on the top deck of a double-decker school bus in Greater Manchester.
The shocking incident happened shortly before 4pm yesterday afternoon (7 January 2026) on Bolton Road, in the Ashton-in-Makerfield area, and according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the children sustained ‘potentially serious injuries’ in the process, although they are not thought to be life-threatening.
An investigation into the incident is currently in the early stages, but GMP Inspector Simon Barrie said in a statement that it appeared to be an ‘unfortunate accident’.
“This is a serious incident that will cause disruption,” Inspector Barrie said. “Our priority is to make sure the children get the treatment they need in hospital. Thankfully we don’t believe their injuries are life-threatening.
“This does appear to be an unfortunate accident at this time, but we will be making enquiries as to the circumstances and liaising with partners.”
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) also confirmed that said it is ‘working closely’ with the bus operator in supporting police with their enquiries into the incident.”: “Our thoughts are with those injured and we want to wish them a speedy recovery.
“Emergency services remain at the scene, and we are working closely with the bus operator in supporting police with their enquiries into the incident.”
It’s believed, according to Councillor Danny Fletcher, of the Ashton-on-Makerfield South ward – who posted to Facebook after speaking to police – that the young people fell from a top floor-side window of a school bus and were subsequently taken to Manchester Children’s Hospital for treatment.
The Manc -
23rd November 2020 
