Coronavirus news: PM ‘faces certain defeat’ over new restrictions, as local measures set to cover quarter of UK population
As thousands of students were placed under lockdown in university accommodation, Labour has called for the new term to be delayed to allow for improvements in testing capacity and remote learning provisions.
In addition to students, some of whom are being actively prevented from leaving their buildings, one quarter of the UK population are now under local restrictions, after Swansea and Cardiff tightened measures.
Meanwhile, a Tory MP has said Boris Johnson faces “certain" defeat in a vote over how coronavirus rules are imposed if Opposition parties join with Tory rebels. Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dems are expected to back up to 50 Conservatives in a showdown vote that would give the Commons prior approval of new measures.
