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The changes could see three tiers introduced for local lockdowns, but ministers are now discussing how severe the top tier should be.

It comes as new rules were announced for central Scotland, which will see pubs and restaurants close in the area.

Meanwhile, the number of UK cases rose by 14,162 on Wednesday, with a further 70 deaths announced.

No final decision has been made on the extent of the potential closures in England, but schools are not expected to close.

There are already tighter restrictions in place in parts of the north-east and north-west of England, Birmingham and Leicester, where the rate of infection has been rising.

Newsnight’s Political Editor, Nick Watt, and Health Correspondent, Deb Cohen, report.