UK lockdown rules: what are the key changes?

The prime minister announced on Thursday that groups of up to six people could meet outdoors in England from Monday, permitting what he described as “a long-awaited and joyful moment” as family and friends reunite after 10 weeks in lockdown. He set out the next stage in the easing of restrictions with a caveat that “there may still be some anomalies, or apparent inconsistencies, in these rules”. The UK government was yet to publish the promised guidance on the new rules on Friday afternoon but here is what has been announced so far.