MPs To Vote On Tougher Covid Restrictions In England

MPs will vote later on the government’s proposals for stricter tiers across England after a debate in the Commons.

More than 55 million people will enter the two toughest tiers from 00:01 GMT on Wednesday if the plans are approved.

A number of Conservative MPs have criticised the Covid-19 restrictions, saying the “wheels are coming off the government’s arguments” to impose them.

But with both Labour and the SNP abstaining from the vote, the measures are expected to pass.

The government announced last week that its tougher three tiers to tackle the virus would come into force when England’s current lockdown ends in the early hours of Wednesday.

It will see the country placed into one of three tiers – medium (one), high (two) and very high (three) – but the majority of the population will face the higher range of restrictions.

In tier two, people are not allowed to mix with anyone outside their household or support bubble indoors, although they can socialise in groups of up to six outdoors.

And in tier three, people must not mix with anyone outside their household or support bubble indoors, or at most outdoor venues.