Britain is facing tougher pandemic measures to stem the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, reports have suggested, as ministers debate how to tackle the rising number of infections.
The Financial Times reported that Boris Johnson was presented with a number of options yesterday under a so-called Plan C, ranging from "mild guidance to nudge people, right through to lockdown".
The newspaper quoted allies of the prime minister who claimed Mr Johnson still wanted to go down the guidance route, but that he also had to be realistic about the threat of Omicron.
Leaked minutes from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), seen by the BBC, said scientists had told ministers that tougher measures need to be brought in "very