TThe government wants to see intimate contact between friends and families “restored”, with more people being able to meet at home as the lockdown continues to be eased, according to Michael Gove.

Speaking to the BBC’s Andrew Marr program, the Cabinet Office Minister said that although new variables are emerging, the government’s roadmap to easing restrictions is on the right track.

“Everything is fine, the prime minister will confirm tomorrow that there will be a relaxation,” he said, “We have already indicated a commensurate relaxation in international travel, which is very limited at this stage because we have to be safe.”

“ In the same way, as we move to the third stage of our roadmap, we will see people who are able to meet inside.

“Without prejudice to a broader review of social distancing, it is the case that friendly contact, intimate contact, between friends and family is something we want to see restored.”

The head of the Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford also said he believes this is the right time to start easing restrictions in England, thanks to the “extraordinary success” of both the vaccination program and the “prolonged” lockdown.

But Professor Andio Pollard also warned that Britain is in a “very fortunate” position – elsewhere, the pandemic is moving to new heights.

“We are facing an absolute disaster,” said Professor Pollard, referring to research showing that about 30,000 people around the world will die of Covid-19 today alone.

He urged rich governments to share available vaccine supplies with the rest of the world, rather than planning booster doses to the British in the fall.

Follow the latest updates below.