Robert Jenrick: Christmas mixing laws unlikely to change but use 'good judgement'

16 December 2020, 08:15 | Updated: 16 December 2020, 08:25

Jenrick: Christmas law unlikely to change but use good judgement

By EJ Ward

@EJWardNews

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick says there is unlikely to be a change in the law around Christmas mixing, but urged people to use their own "good judgement."

The Government Minister has said people will need to use their "good judgment" in deciding whether to meet up with family over Christmas.

Mr Jenrick said the Government would not be changing the "legal framework" which allows people to form household "bubbles" over five days of the holiday period.

Answering a question from LBC's Nick Ferrari, Mr Jenrick said people should use their own good judgement to make sure people make the right decisions "for our own circumstances, and for the country more broadly."

Read more: Christmas Covid talks continue as PM urged to rethink rules

He told LBC that the increase in cases in the USA over the Thanksgiving holiday should serve as a "cautionary tale."

He said that the good news of the Covid vaccine meant that many elderly relatives were "perfectly understandably coming to the conclusion that, on this occasion, it might be better to bring the family together in the New Year."

The Minister said that he was trying to make a distinction between the law "which is the maximum and the choices that people will make using their own personal judgement."

Watch: Top medical journalist explains why PM must scrap Christmas rules

Read more: Wales will 'not lightly put aside' Christmas Covid plans

Urgent talks between UK leaders on the easing of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas will resume on Wednesday amid increasing pressure to halt the plans over concerns of a fresh spike in cases.

Watch: Eddie Mair challenges Tory MP over 'nonsensical' Christmas relaxation

Explained: What are the current Christmas coronavirus rules?

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove discussed the scheduled relaxation with the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Tuesday but they did not confirm a new position.

Downing Street conceded that the planned five-day Christmas easing to allow three households to mix indoors between December 23 and 27 was being kept "under constant review".