What time is Boris Johnson's speech today? PM to hold press conference ahead of June 21 changes; The Prime Minister is poised to make an announcement about plans to delay the lifting of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Byline: By, Lottie Gibbons

Boris Johnson is expected to announce his decision on easing the final stage of lockdown today.

The Prime Minister is poised to sign off plans to delay the lifting of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England amid growing concerns about the surge in case of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

It could mean that lockdown lifting -which had been on the cards for June 21 under the Government's road map -will be put back to July 19.

The move, expected to be confirmed in a formal announcement on Monday, will be a bitter blow for many businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, which had been pinning their hopes on a full summer reopening.

Mr Johnson is also likely to face opposition from some of his own MPs who have been chafing for months over the restrictions and will be furious at any further delay.

However, a poll by Opinium found significant public support for a postponement, with 54% in favour and 37% against.

Scientists have been pressing for additional time to get more people vaccinated -particularly those in younger age groups -before controls are relaxed.

Studies have shown that people who have received only one dose of the vaccine have significantly less protection against the Delta variant -first identified in India -than those who have had two jabs.

Public health officials believe a delay would also give more opportunity to control the spread using surge-testing techniques which proved successful in Bolton, which was the first Delta variant hotspot.

What time is Boris Johnson's speech today

An official time has not been confirmed by Downing Street.

Most announcements have taken place at around 5pm.

Speaking in Cornwall on Saturday, a downbeat Mr Johnson acknowledged that the rise of the variant was a matter of "serious, serious concern".

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