Most people should not expect a "normal Christmas" this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, a Cabinet minister has said.
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay said he hoped families could be together over the festive season but warned it was likely to be different from previous ones.
It comes as sweeping new restrictions were imposed on millions of people living in different parts of the country this week.
Greater Manchester moved into the highest alert level of Tier 3 on Friday morning, while a two-week "firebreak" lockdown comes into force in Wales at 6pm.
Coventry, Stoke and Slough will enter Tier 2 on Saturday, while talks between Westminster and civic leaders in Nottingham over possible Tier 3 restrictions were continuing on Friday.
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Asked how he would describe the chances of people having a "normal Christmas" despite Covid-19 restrictions, Mr Barclay said: "I would describe it as a shared endeavour for all of us.
"All of us want to be able to enjoy Christmas with our families. And that's why there is a common purpose here to get the virus down."
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Referring to Christmas, Mr Barclay said: "I think few people expect it to be exactly as it would normally because we will be living with this virus for some time.
"And the chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser have been very clear on that.
"But, your point really was about the ability of families to spend Christmas together - that is something we all hope to be in a position to do."
