UK Covid LIVE: Boris Johnson announces four-week Freedom Day delay ‘to save lives’ as UK records 7,742 more cases

Boris Johnson has announced a four-week delay to so-called ‘Freedom Day’ to ensure a "very considerable wall of immunity” is built “around the whole of the population".

The end of social-distancing rules–which had been slated for June 21–will be delayed to July 19, the PM told a Downing Street briefing on Monday evening.

It comes as Covid cases in the UK continue to rise with 7,742 more infections reported on Monday.

New analysis shows England's rate of new cases of Covid-19 has climbed to its highest level for more than three months, with around one in 10 local areas now recording rates above 100 cases per 100,000 people.

Two boroughs of London have rates that are back above 100: Lambeth (114.7, as of June 9) and Wandsworth (108.0).

Follow the latest updates below

Read More

Details of UK-Australia trade agreement to be revealed, Australian minister says

PM sets new July 19 ‘terminus’ for end of Covid restrictions amid Delta fears

Businesses call for new push from UK and EU over NI Protocol