England could be heading for another lockdown this winter as Boris Johnson prepares to extend coronavirus powers in Parliament.
MPs will vote on whether to keep lockdown powers in place when they return to Parliament next week.
The law allowing lockdowns to be put in place, which is set to expire, could now be kept in force until March 2022.
The Coronavirus Act allows the Government, police and local authorities to restrict the number of people who can gather, close businesses and enforce self-isolation.
It also guarantees sick pay for those hit by the pandemic and protects tenants from being evicted.
Conservative MP Mark Harper, who leads the Covid Recovery Group, opposes extending the rules.
He told the FT: "We have seen a dramatic and welcome fall in people suffering from serious disease and death from Covid as a result.
“We are going to have to learn to live with this virus. What justification can there be for extending these measures?"
Then Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he hoped the legislation would not need to be renewed again.
A Government spokesman said: “We will allow temporary powers in the Coronavirus Act to expire wherever possible, as we have at previous review points.
"However, it would be irresponsible to allow all temporary provisions to expire.
"Doing so would remove the government’s ability to protect renters from eviction, give sick pay to those self-isolating from day one, and direct schools to reopen where needed, for example.
"The British public would expect us to retain these powers in case they are needed through the winter."
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