Boris Jonhson has played down the prospect of a second national lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis.
The Prime Minister said authorities across the country were getting better at identifying and isolating local outbreaks.
He said he would not want to use powers to enforce a second UK lockdown, any more than Britain’s Trident nuclear deterrent.
Although he added it was important that the power to order national action was held in reserve.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Johnson said: "I can’t abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent. But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly don’t want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again.
"It’s not just that we’re getting much better at spotting the disease and isolating it locally, but we understand far more which groups it affects, how it works, how it’s transmitted, so the possibility of different types of segmentation, of enhanced shielding for particular groups, is now there.”
He added: "We’re genuinely able now to look at what’s happening in much closer to real time, to isolate outbreaks and to address them on the spot, and to work with local authorities to contain the problem locally and regionally if we have to.”
The Prime Minister's comments could lead to further tensions between ministers and their scientific experts after the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned on Friday there was “a risk” that national measures could be needed as winter approaches.
Speaking at the House of Lords Science and Technology committee on Friday, Sir Patrick said: "As you release measures it is inevitable as you get more contacts that you will see more cases. That's what happens.
"Come winter, the challenges will be very much greater and of course there is a risk that this could need national measures as well."
Professor Chris Whitty, also hinted lockdown rules might return as colder weather sets in, explaining people may have “a group of things you could do for three seasons of the year but it may be that in winter this is more difficult”.
Announcing another easing lockdown restrictions in England, Mr Johnson on Friday said he hoped there could be a “significant return to normality” in time for Christmas.
At the same time, he said the Government had given local authorities new powers to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events.
