Tighter social restrictions could be on the way for parts of the United Kingdom, as cases continue to spike in areas such as Northern England.

Helen Whately said “we don’t want to” bring in measures taking the UK back towards a second national lockdown but cautioned the government is keeping a “constant eye” on the rise in Coronavirus cases.

It follows a report in The Times that a “total social lockdown” could be enforced across much of northern Britain and London – with all pubs and restaurants ordered to shut for two weeks.

Households would also be banned from meeting each in other in any indoor location, but schools, shops and offices would remain open.