There will be no new coronavirus restrictions in England before New Year, Sajid Javid has said.

The health secretary was speaking after the Prime Minister was briefed on the latest coronavirus data by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and the government's scientific advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance.

He said: "When we get into the new year, of course we will see then whether we do need to take any further measures, but nothing more until then at least."

Mr Javid added people should "remain cautious" and celebrate outside on New Year's Eve if possible.

Plan B measures, including face coverings in most indoor venues, Covid passes being needed for large events and work from home where possible advice, stay in place.

More than 100,000 new Covid cases were recorded in England on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The move in England means that the nation is out of step with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, after new measures set by the devolved administrations came into force on Boxing Day.

Early analysis last week suggested people infected with Omicron were less likely to be admitted to hospital.

And it comes as a body representing hospital trusts say that Covid admissions are rising but “not precipitately so”.

Staff absences are creating such pressure that “even relatively small numbers of extra Covid cases may bring difficult decisions on prioritisation and staff redeployment”, according to NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson.

Medical leaders have expressed fears that “something is going to have to give” as one modeller said as many as 40% of London’s NHS workforce could be absent, with Covid-19 a major factor, in a worst-case scenario.