Barrow MP Simon Fell believes the UK’s vaccination programme has enabled the 'cautious re-opening of society'.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the country’s roadmap out of the Covid-19 pandemic, which will first see schools re-open from March 8.

Currently, more than 17.5 million have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and Mr Fell is certain this has prompted the prime minister’s plans.

Mr Fell said: “This is a cautious re-opening of society after lockdown and the frankly incredible success of the vaccination programme so far.

“There’s no getting around the fact that we are all tired of these restrictions and the impact they are having on our lives. I very much hope that, thanks to everyone’s sacrifices and efforts, we have now turned the corner.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron understood the prime minister’s caution.

He said: “The prime minister is right to be cautious in his approach to make sure that this is the final lockdown.

"As a result of this though, many businesses in the Lake District’s vital hospitality and leisure sectors now know that they won’t be able to fully reopen until mid-May at the earliest.

“With many of the Government’s financial support schemes set to end at the end of March, it’s absolutely critical that the Chancellor immediately announces the extension of furlough, the business rates holiday and the cut in VAT for tourism, and finally provides support for the many workers and self-employed people who have been excluded."