A government minister has dismissed suggestions the UK could be heading for a two-week national lockdown.

Edward Argar, a minister in the Department of Health and Social Care, rubbished claims that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being advised to take the action due to a rise in coronavirus infections.

He told Sky News’ Kay Burley: “It’s not something that I’ve heard about, I know there’s speculation in the press today.

“But it’s not something I’ve seen within the department.

“The prime minister has been very clear about this, he doesn’t want to see another national lockdown.

“He wants to see people abiding by the regulations and making the local lockdowns work and get that infection rate down.”