COVID-19: Boris Johnson wants 'cautious but irreversible progress' in lifting lockdown

Boris Johnson has said his plan for lifting England's coronavirus lockdown is for there to be "cautious but irreversible" progress in easing restrictions.

"We've got to be very prudent and what we want to see is progress that is cautious but irreversible," the prime minister said on his plan for easing COVID-19 measures.

"I think that's what the public and people up and down the country will want to see. Progress that is cautious but irreversible."

The PM is expected to announce a roadmap out of lockdown on 22 February - and he said the plan would include the earliest possible dates for reopening the economy.

"If we possibly can, we'll be setting out dates," he said.

"If, because of the rate of infection, we have to push something off a little bit to the right - delay it for a little bit - we won't hesitate to do that."