The UK's coronavirus death toll has risen by 316 in the past 24 hours, with 30,501 new cases recorded. This is a slight dip on the 326 deaths reported last Sunday - December 27 - but the eighth day in a row in which new daily cases have been above 30,000 as the UK grapples with its terrible winter second wave of the pandemic.
The UK's official death toll in all settings is now 70,752, while deaths with Covid-19 on the death certificate are at 79,349.
A total of 2,288,345 people have now tested positive for the bug since the pandemic began. It comes as there is increasing speculation schools will not reopen in January, with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson reportedly telling allies he's facing a "enormous battle".