Boris Johnson is resisting calls to ‘cancel Christmas’, arguing that it is ‘too late’ to go back on the Government’s five-day bubble plan – despite leading medics warning his decision will ‘cost many lives’.
The prime minister is expected to urge the public to self-isolate before mixing with other households and to think long and carefully about meeting with elderly or vulnerable relatives.
However, he will resist demands to go back on the four-nation festive plan as he faces MPs in the Commons today, according to reports.
The Tory leader believes any alternative is likely to be met with resistance from the public, with millions looking forward to seeing their families at the end of the month.
A government source told The Daily Telegraph: ‘We’ve set out the rules. People know what they are. It would be wrong to change them this close to Christmas when they have made plans.
‘However, the prime minister will want to be clear that minimising the risk to themselves and their loved ones is something they should consider.’
It comes after two leading medical journals called on the Government to rethink, describing Christmas bubbles as a ‘major error’.
The four-nations approach could collapse as Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon threatens to go her own way.
All options were discussed during talks between cabinet minister Michael Gove and the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
One source has claimed the five-day window could be cut, or there could be new limits on the number of people who can be in a bubble.
They told The Sun: ‘Everything was discussed — from status quo to perhaps looking at other options.
‘The options we are looking at are a range of things like possibly changing the number of days or possibly changing the number of people who can meet. It’s really a very, very fine balance.’
Ms Sturgeon told Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon: ‘I do think there is a case for us looking at whether we tighten the flexibilities that were given any further, both in terms of duration and numbers of people meeting.
‘And I will consider the views of the other nations – if we can come to a four nations agreement, I think that would be preferable.
‘If that is not possible, then of course we will consider within the Scottish government what we think is appropriate.’
Meanwhile, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has described the four nations approach as a ‘hard-won agreement’, adding that he will ‘not lightly put it aside’.
Following the talks, a UK government source told Sky News: ‘There are no plans to change the regulations in England.
‘We’re keen to maintain a UK-wide approach and will have further discussions with DAs (devolved administrations) tomorrow morning.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/16/boris-fights-for-christmas-bubbles-despite-warnings-many-lives-will-be-lost-13758711/