Department of Health data shows Covid infections are growing rapidly in London, the South East and East
But the presence of a new strain of Covid-19 could extend Tier 4 out to the South West, Midlands and North
Birmingham was spared from Tier 4 lockdown today - but new rules could be announced as soon as today
No10 s scientific advisers blame spread on a mutated form thought to be up to 70 per cent more infectious
Deaths have also started to soar in line with the spike in cases across the three badly-hit regions, data shows
Home Secretary Priti Patel refused to rule out national lockdown, commenting: Our objective is to save lives
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The pound surged on Wednesday on hopes that a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and EU was close.
Sterling climbed more than 1% against the dollar to top $1.35 and 0.75% against the euro to €1.1074.
There were reports that Downing Street sources said a deal could be completed later on Wednesday but that it was far from certain .
Shares and sterling were up earlier in the day after France overturned its travel ban for some hauliers.
Lorry drivers trying to get back to France from Dover would have to prove they had a negative Covid test.
But the International Road Transport Union warned that testing stranded truck drivers is going to be an absolute disaster .
I had to tell my pregnant wife and daughters I won t be home : Thousands of lorry drivers stranded in Kent face Christmas heartbreak as testing stops overnight - amid clashes with police and fears of food shortages
Truckers try to force their way past police guarding Port of Dover as hundreds leave cabs and walk along road
Jeering and whistling with some shouting: Open the border , We just want to go home and F you, Boris!
France announced travel ban on all traffic from UK on Sunday night after emergence of new Covid-19 strain
Decision meant Port of Dover was dramatically closed to all freight vehicles leaving the UK for next 48 hours
Second mutant strain of coronavirus has already been found in the North AND London after being brought from South Africa - as infections soar again to new record of 39,237 with 744 more deaths and millions MORE are plunged into Tier 4 from Boxing Day
Two cases of the South African variant of the virus called 501.V2 have been detected so far in the UK
Second mutated strain to be found in as many weeks and this version is even more transmissible than first
Matt Hancock said discovery was highly concerning and slapped immediate travel bans on South Africa
Unrelated cases found in London and the North West suggest the virus is likely all over England already
Covid variant fears: Gridlock grips U K s southeast as truckers stranded at border nbcnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nbcnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.