Health Secretary Matt Hancock has just addressed the House of Commons on the issue of the 10pm curfew that has been imposed on hospitality sites.

As cases of the virus continue to rise, Hancock announced an extension to restrictions in areas of the North of England, with more local lockdowns. These follows those in the North East and parts of Wales.

In these areas, Hancock recommended against all social mixing between people in different households and said government will bring in regulations to prevent in law mixing across all settings except for outdoor spaces, such as parks and outdoor hospitality.

Hancock said, 'By its nature, this virus spreads through social contact so it has had a terrible impact on the hospitality sector, who in the good times exist to encourage that very social contact that we all enjoy. So we've had to take difficult but necessary decisions to suppress the virus. The only alternative to suppressing the virus is to let it rip and I will not do that.

'So while I know that many of the individual rules are challenging, they are necessary and there are those early signs that they are working.

'In the measures we've introduced, including the 10pm restriction, we're seeking to strike a balance, allowing people to continue to socialise safely where it is possible, while reducing the social contact that the virus thrives upon.'

He continued, 'Elsewhere in the world, they've introduced an evening restriction and then seen case numbers fall, and we know that later at night people are less likely to follow social distancing.

'Now, of course, we keep all our measures under review and will closely monitor the impact of this policy, as with all the others, while continuing our unprecedented support for hospitality businesses, like cutting VAT, suuport for the pay of staff, offering rates relief for businesses and giving billion of pounds of tax deferrals and loans.'

He finished, 'Our hospitality industry provides so much colour and life in this country and we will do whatever we can to support them, while acting fast to keep this virus under control.'

Cancel The Curfew has just responded via its Facebook page, 'Matt Hancock ducking and weaving. The system is broken. You are NOT supporting this sector. It’s dying right before your eyes.'