Three households will be allowed to mix for up to five days in a plan to allow families to reunite at Christmas, Government sources said.

A Cobra meeting bringing together the UK Government and the devolved administrations is being held to agree on a four-nation approach to relaxing coronavirus restrictions over the festive period.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged the risks involved in a Christmas relaxation, saying it is the “season to be jolly careful”, but is determined to give families the chance to meet up at the end of a grim year.

In England, the Government has already announced new tiered restrictions which will come into effect on December 2 and could last until the end of March – apart from any Christmas relaxation.

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