Downing Street press conference to take place this afternoon

A DOWNING Street press conference will take place this afternoon, No10 has confirmed today.

It’s likely to be on the new Tiers system or the schools announcement – as two announcements are expected in the House of Commons later.

It’s not yet known who will take the press conference, or what time it will be, with No10 still ironing out the details at the moment.

Matt Hancock or Gavin Williamson may feature in the press conference tonight.

Mr Hancock is expected to confirm millions more Brits will be plunged into Tier 4 in the days to come – thanks to the mutant virus which is spreading even more quickly across the country.

He will give a statement to the House of Commons at 3pm.

And Mr Williamson will give the nation an update on schools – and when kids will be going back to classrooms.

Previously the plan was for all primary school children, and the kids of key workers and vulnerable children to return next week, January 4.

And secondary schools were due to return the week after, having had a coronavirus test.

However, it’s expected that the Education Secretary will put back the return date for older kids thanks to the rapidly spreading new strain of the virus.

It came as:

• The Oxford University/AstraZenca vaccine was approved by regulators today – with a million doses a week to be rolled out from next week
• And a change in strategy is expected to take place so people can get the vaccine sooner – with ministers to prioritise the first jab and give the second within 12 weeks
• More than 53,000 cases of the virus were reported yesterday
• A major incident was declared in Essex over Covid as hospitals struggle to cope with demand
• School pupils in some years are likely to be delayed to returning to the classroom thanks to the spike in cases