Schools shut and exams cancelled as Government tightens lockdown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new lockdown in a bid to curb rapidly rising Covid cases that threaten to overwhelm the NHS.

Schools and colleges will shut, except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers, and exams have been cancelled as the Government attempts to control the spread of Covid-19.

In an address to the nation at 8pm this evening, the PM set out the 'further steps' - after existing tiers failed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, which has been driven by a new variant.

The new national lockdown means people are once again being told to stay at home, to work from home if possible, and to only leave their home for specific reasons. Those reasons are: for essential shopping, to exercise, to seek medical help, and to escape domestic abuse.

Some people will be advised to start shielding again.

The government made the decision after the UK saw a record high of 58,784 daily cases and 407 deaths.

The PM said everyone should follow the new restrictions "now". They will be made law on Wednesday.