Covid news – live: WHO recommends Oxford vaccine as Boris Johnson urges missing two million people to get jab

During today’s Downing Street coronavirus briefing, the prime minister urged two million people in the top four most “at risk” groups who have not yet received the Covid vaccine to take it up.

Our Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin has the details:

The Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has said that a new coronavirus variant found in Bristol was being monitored.

"The Bristol variant has got one of the changes that the South African variant has got as well. It is not surprising that it has happened and it will happen elsewhere as well," he told a No 10 news conference.

"In getting that variant it does make it slightly more likely to look different to the immune system so we need to watch out for it. We need to keep on top and need to keep testing the vaccine effects in this situation."

The UK’s statistics watchdog has said that more detailed data on coronavirus vaccine take-up should be provided by the government.

Sir David Norgrove, chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, called for more granular breakdowns showing the age, ethnic group and priority group of those receiving jabs.

In a letter to Tory MP William Wragg, chairman of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Sir David said: "On vaccinations data, UK governments have been quick to start publishing data and have learnt some of the lessons from test and trace.

"However, there remains room for much improvement in terms of the amount of information that is published and the breakdowns within the data. We would like to see more granular breakdowns and more consistency between administrations across the UK.

"First, there should be more granular data on percentage take up, for example, by age band, ethnic group and by Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority groups."

Secondly, he said, data available for each part of the UK varies - and he called for more consistency.

"Third, on vaccine type, Scotland is the only administration to routinely publish data on vaccination type (Pfizer BioNTech or AstraZeneca). It is in the public interest to have this information for all parts of the UK, particularly in the context of the media coverage on vaccine efficacy and sustainability of supply.

"Fourth, it would also be helpful to have better information on those who have been offered a vaccine and those who have taken them up. This would help with understanding the reasons why some people may not be taking up vaccines, for example whether it is refusals, access or because they have not actually received an invitation to have a vaccine."

Sir David also called for more data on long Covid and the new variants of coronavirus.

PA

People are going to have to be “a little bit more patient” before booking any summer holidays, the prime minister has warned.

Boris Johnson said: "I'm afraid it is just too early for people to be certain about what we will be able to do this summer.

"We hope to be able to say more in the week of the 22nd.

"I understand why people want to make plans now but we're just going to have to be a little bit more patient."

It comes after transport secretary Grant Shapps said foreign holidays will remain banned until “everybody” has had a coronavirus vaccine.

Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast this morning it is “too soon” to be booking any trips.

A health protection expert has argued that the hotel quarantine scheme should end in “weeks”, as he says there is “no benefit” in keeping it through the summer.

Professor Paul Hunter called for coronavirus restrictions to be lifted when “most vulnerable people” have been vaccinated, which meant no later than April.

Our Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick reports:

BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg was heard complaining under her breath that Boris Johnson “didn’t answer the question” when she asked him about when people can start booking holidays.

The funny moment saw people taking to Twitter to share their mutual feelings with Ms Kuenssberg about the confusion over holidays.

One person said: “With a single off-camera comment, Laura Kuenssberg sums up the mood of the nation.”

Another said her off-hand comment was the “best part of the press conference”, while another told her: “We feel your pain.”

Watch the moment below:

The transport secretary has said that his father is currently suffering from coronavirus and is in hospital on a Covid ward.

Grant Shapps revealed that his 89-year-old father has been receiving treatment for the virus for “quite some time” after he caught it whilst in hospital.

My colleague Eleanor Sly reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has said the 10-year jail term announced on Tuesday that would be imposed on people who lie about having travelled into the UK from a “red list” country is “an empty threat”.

The Labour leader, who was formerly a lawyer, told the BBC: “I’ve prosecuted many cases that have ended in a 10-year sentence and I know an empty threat when I see it.

“The effectiveness of what happens at the border is to do with testing and quarantining but pretending there’s going to be a 10-year sentence when in reality i don’t think there is isn’t really helping anyone.”

Mr Starmer also urged Boris Johnson to give “as much detail as possible” when he presents his roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown in the wee of 22 February.

The government should also “stop putting out mixed messages” over summer holidays, he said, adding: “The prime minister one week was saying he was optimistic about holidays then you’ve got the transport secretary saying don’t book holidays - that isn’t helping businesses, it’s not helping families.”

Police in Cleveland, Teesside, have warned people against making non-essential journeys to Flatts Lane, a popular sledging spot.

Hundreds of people made their way to Flatts Lane Country Park on Wednesday to speed down the steep bank as heavy snow blanketed the area.

The force said in a tweet: “Officers are responding to reports of more than 30 vehicles obstructing the road near the Country Park and at 5pm a report of a fight.

“Please make essential journeys only and follow Covid guidance to remain in your family bubble.”

US government researchers have found wearing two masks was better than one when preventing the spread of Covid-19, according to a study by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky told a White House coronavirus briefing on Wednesday: "The science is clear. Everyone needs to be wearing a mask when they are in public or when they are in their own home but with people who do not live in their household.”

"This is especially true with our ongoing concern of new variants spreading in the United States," she added.

Danielle Zoellner reports from New York: