Dominic Raab says he cannot make “hard, fast guarantees” that more restrictions won’t be imposed in the run-up to Christmas.

However the deputy prime minister said he believes Britons will have a “much better Christmas than last year”.

Mr Raab told Kay Burley: “I think we will have a much better Christmas than last year because of the vaccination level – both the overall vaccination level and particularly the impact of the booster campaign.

“People will need to be careful and cautious.

“But I do think, again subject to the data – and it’s always under review – that we’re in a better position to enjoy Christmas with loved ones this year.”

Asked if more restrictions would be imposed between now and Christmas Day, Mr Raab said: “I just can’t make hard, fast guarantees.”

But Mr Raab added he did not anticipate parliament being recalled to vote on new restrictions before Christmas.

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The cabinet minister said there was a time lag in the data and “we don’t yet know the severity” of the Omicron variant, adding that “it comes through day-by-day”.

He said regardless of modelling by scientific advisers, the government would “test the data in real-time against real cases”.

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