Areas in England may go down a tier before Christmas, says Robert Jenrick

Jenrick insists some areas can de-escalate', but scientists say 16 December is too soon to decide

• Coronavirus - latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

The communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, has insisted there is a prospect of some areas in England de-escalating" from a higher to a lower tier of coronavirus measures before Christmas, despite scientists warning that the 16 December review will be too soon to make changes.

Many Conservative MPs reacted with anger after the government announced that 99% of the population in England would be placed under the top two tightest levels of restriction - tiers 2 and 3 - when the nationwide lockdown ends next week.