Covid news: Labour to abstain in vote on new restrictions, as England prepares for end of lockdown

Sir Keir Starmer said Labour would abstain in Tuesday’s vote over replacement coronavirus restrictions, saying it would “not be in the national interest” and would be “irresponsible” to vote against them.

Earlier in the day, he warned England could be left going “round and round in circles” under Boris Johnson’s new tiered system for tackling coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Matt Hancock said the “light of dawn is on the horizon", as he led a No10 press conference in the final days of England’s second lockdown.

It came as bio tech firm Moderna is requesting market approval from European and American regulators for its vaccine after the UK government ordered two million more vaccines to help immunise people against the Covid-19 virus.

The jab, expected to be rolled out next spring, is currently being reviewed UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

As England prepared for a vote over a new tier system, Wales’ first minister announced tough restrictions on the country from Friday onwards, which will see restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes close from 6pm.

• What tier will I be in? New rules and restrictions explained

• Wales announces 6pm closures from Friday for hospitality venues

• Boris Johnson appeals for unity for the new Covid tiers

• Communities Secretary calls for 24 hour shopping times

• Rollout of rapid testing machine in English hospitals to be halted

• Interview: MPs rebelling on tiers should carry bodies to the morgue, says mayor