Today, the government has called an emergency meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) committee to address the spread of India's Covid-19 variant in the United Kingdom.

It comes after scientists expressed concern last night that the scheduled release from lockdown on June 21st could be postponed in order to prevent another outbreak of infections.

According to the I newspaper, a Sage member said that a postponement of the final relaxation of restrictions was "possible."

Downing Street sources told the Telegraph, however, that the government intends to stick to its schedule.

When asked about the possibility of local lockdowns, Environment Secretary George Eustice said on Wednesday that the government "can't rule anything out," despite the fact that Covid-19 hotspots had emerged in parts of the UK.

The prime minister announced that an independent public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic would be held, but that it would not begin until next Spring.