Katy Balls

Hopes of agreeing a Brexit deal have increased among ministers in recent weeks, but today the UK's chief negotiator Sir David Frost offered a reality check. In a statement following the latest round of talks, Frost said that while 'progress has been possible' there remained 'familiar differences' on level playing field clauses, state aid and – notably – fishing. On the EU side, Michel Barnier said that to reach an agreement 'these divergences must necessarily be overcome over the next weeks'. The comments come as Boris Johnson attempted to dial up the pressure on the EU in a regional media round.

Boris Johnson announced no new restrictions in Wednesday's coronavirus restrictions — but there was still little reason for cheer. Those ministers hoping for a change to the 10 p.m. curfew were left disappointed. Johnson and his advisers — Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Officer Patrick Vallance — offered a series of graphs and maps to show the spread of the virus. Each made the point that infections are going in the wrong direction. It was clear from the address that they all believe new restrictions are more likely than not.  It was clear from the address that they all believe new restrictions are more likely than not While Whitty spoke of 'a long winter ahead of us', it was Vallance whose language was the most frank.

Is the government heading for a Commons defeat on its coronavirus powers? Judging from the speeches on the Tory benches in the chamber this afternoon, things are not looking particularly promising for Boris Johnson. Desmond Swayne used the debate to ask whether the Prime Minister has been abducted by Dr Strangelove and reprogrammed by Sage while Lucy Allan argued science is often just as much about opinion as politics.  Coffee House understands that those behind the amendment believe support is closer to 80 The critical conversations, however, have been going on out of sight.

The Chancellor's statement unveiling his winter economy plan offered a reality check on living with coronavirus. Despite pressure from the opposition and a handful of Tory MPs to extend the furlough scheme, Rishi Sunak confirmed that it would come to an end in October. In its place, he announced a new jobs support scheme – whereby the government and firms will top up the wages of workers who are unable to return to full time work but are working at least a third of their hours. This is aimed at making sure businesses with reduced demand keep on their employees. But it's also an acceptance that jobs in some industries cannot be saved. Those businesses which are unable to operate at all will have little use for the scheme.

Boris Johnson addressed the nation this evening to update the public on his government's coronavirus strategy. After announcing the broad details of the new measures at the despatch box this lunchtime, tonight's statement was focussed on justifying the new restrictions. The Prime Minister said that while there were no easy choices ahead, he was confident the country would succeed as they had done so in March — insisting the government had followed the scientific advice to the letter and as a result protected the NHS and saved thousands of lives.  As for why there are now issues, rather than mention difficulties on testing, he suggested that the 'freedom loving' nature of Britons had meant that not everyone had followed the guidelines.