MATT Hancock has said he hopes the four nations of the UK can come up with an agreement to allow families to see each other at Christmas.

Matt Hancock said it was still too early to say what contact people will be able to have over Christmas and what additional restrictions may be required after lockdown is eased.

Speaking with Hancock at a Downing Street press conference, professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, also urged caution and suggested any gains from the second national lockdown could be quickly lost as it takes “just seconds” for the virus to spread.

Hancock said “it’s still too early to tell” what will happen after December 2 when England’s lockdown is due to end.

He said: “Over Christmas I know how important it is that we have a system in place, a set of rules that both keeps people safe but also allows people to see their loved ones.”

He added: “I just think it would be such a boost to the whole of the UK if the four nations can come together and agree a set of arrangements which are safe, careful and sensible but also allow families to see each other at Christmas.”

The First Minister told Holyrood she took part in four-nation discussions on Wednesday with UK Cabinet minister Michael Gove, as well as with her own counterparts of Wales and Northern Ireland about the possible lifting some curbs so people can see family and friends over the festive period.

She said it was hoped the administrations "could come to a safe plan while allowing a greater degree of normality and spend some time with loved ones".

READ MORE: Christmas: Nicola Sturgeon strikes note of caution after experts' alarm

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he is “generally hopeful” an agreement can be reached between the UK’s four nations regarding Christmas plans.

Drakeford said “there are no sticking points, there are no disagreements” so far in the discussions, more of which are due to take place next week.

Issues being talked about include travel between the nations, how long any easing of restrictions might last and to what extent households may be allowed to mix.

Northern Ireland will enter a two-week circuit-breaker next Friday and Scotland has placed two million people in its toughest level of restrictions for three weeks.

Earlier Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick told LBC radio that the police would break up house parties but had “no interest in interrupting family Christmas dinners”.

On Friday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there were “substantial differences” in Covid-19 infection rates across England.

Data from November 8 to 14 suggests the overall national infection rate for England is similar to the week before but there are stark regional divides with rising rates in primary-school-aged children.

The ONS said infection rates have continued to increase in London, the east of England and the south east, but appear to be decreasing in the north west and the East Midlands.

Sage said the reproduction number – or R value – for the whole of the UK had dropped to between 1 and 1.1.

Mr Hancock said “it’s still too early to tell” what will happen after December 2 when England’s lockdown is due to end.

He said: “Over Christmas I know how important it is that we have a system in place, a set of rules that both keeps people safe but also allows people to see their loved ones.”