Coronavirus UK news: Risk of third wave, Raab warns as Labour says support for tiers not guaranteed

(PA)

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has refused to rule out a third national lockdown if there is another wave of coronavirus infections in the new year.

Mr Raab told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that the government was doing “everything we can” to avoid another spike in cases but warned there was a risk of infections rising “if we don't get the balance right”.

It came as Boris Johnson said he would offer MPs a second chance to vote on England’s tiered coronavirus restrictions early next year, with the legislation set to expire in February, in a climbdown designed to prevent a major Tory rebellion over the measures.

Some Conservative MPs have threatened to rebel in a crucial Commons vote on the restrictions next week after complaining about a lack of evidence to justify the tough rules in some areas.

Meanwhile, Labour’s shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy has warned that her party’s support for the government’s measures is “not unconditional” as she called for more clarity on the new system.