Even if everyone follows the new restrictions over Christmas, it still isn't enough. Modelling showed that if 50% of us meet one other household the R number will increase by 30% - and that was without factoring the new variant in. So we need a very clear message:

The dispensation to meet is designed for exceptional cases - those with relatives who might not see another Christmas, those who have family suffering severe mental health problems from isolation. If everyone exploits it, the cost will be immense to families and communities.

So every politician and every news channel and all of us should be combining to say one simple thing: "don't meet up at Christmas unless you absolutely have to!".