Coronavirus latest: Parts of the south placed in Tier 3 restrictions

Large swathes of southern England including Portsmouth, Havant and Gosport will be placed under Tier 3 restrictions from Saturday due to rising coronavirus levels.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock set out the findings of the first full review of England's tier allocations, with very little good news for areas already under tough restrictions.

Instead he was forced to place more areas under the toughest measures, closing pubs, restaurants and cinemas.

The changes mean a total of 38 million people will be living in Tier 3 from Saturday - 68% of the population of England.

More than 425,000 people in Portsmouth, Havant and Gosport will be affected by the tougher restrictions.

Mr Hancock said the UK has "come so far" and "mustn't blow it now".

Making a statement in the Commons, he told MPs: "As we enter the coldest months we must be vigilant and keep this virus under control."

The cautious approach comes amid mounting concern about the prospect of a surge in cases following the easing of restrictions over the Christmas period.

Explaining the tougher measures Mr Hancock said case rates in the South East of England are up 46% in the last week while hospital admissions are up by more than a third.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the Liberal Democrat leader of Portsmouth City Council, said the decision to put the city into Tier 3 was "bizarre" when other authorities that required care provided by the city's Queen Alexandra Hospital had not been moved up.

Portsmouth's Labour MP Stephen Morgan said: "Just two weeks ago the government mistakenly claimed they had the pandemic under control.

"Portsmouth people continue to make huge sacrifices to protect the vulnerable and save lives.

"Ministers must now get a grip of this virus, so that our NHS can be protected and our city’s economy recovers faster."

Hampshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight and West Sussex

The rest of Hampshire, Dorset and West Sussex will remain in Tier 2, and the Isle of Wight remains in Tier 1.

MPs and business leaders in Dorset have been calling for the country to be moved into Tier 1 because of fewer infections.

Dorset Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ian Girling, said: "There will be many people very disappointed by this decision, especially in those areas where there has been a reduction in infection rates.

"Clearly the government is deeply concerned about the risk of rates rising and we have seen that in its messaging about Christmas over the past few days.

"It is absolutely vital that the government does everything it can to support businesses at this time.

"But every individual should also take personal responsibility and follow the guidelines which have been put in place.

"We must do all we can to get through this and move Dorset out of Tier 2 into Tier 1 as soon as possible in the new year."