UK coronavirus LIVE: Cases up by 12,155 as England warned of ‘third wave’ if tiers are ignored

England could face a third coronavirus wave if ministers fail to “get the balance right” with restrictions, the Foreign Secretary has warned.

Dominic Raab refused to rule out a third national lockdown if the new year brings another surge in Covid-19 cases, saying only that the Government was “doing everything we can to avoid that”.

However, he sought to win over his Conservative colleagues who are critical of the new three-tiered system ahead of a crunch vote in the Commons on Tuesday. It comes after Boris Johnson attempted to reassure opponents of the measures that they could end in nine weeks thanks to a “sunset” clause, or expiry date, of February 3.

Meanwhile, the UK has confirmed another 12,155 infections and 215 deaths overnight, and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that shops will be allowed to operate much longer hours in the run-up to Christmas, in a festive boost to the blighted high street.