A senior NHS boss has warned the public not to be complacent about coronavirus, but to "hone down and do what we have been told to do".

Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director at NHS England, said that if the UK death toll remains below 20,000, it will be considered a victory by Downing Street but it will not have happened by chance.

Speaking at a daily briefing on the virus, Prof Powis said following social distancing rules was crucial to reducing the transmission rate of Covid-19.

His warning came as Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, vowed to slash red tape on businesses with new legislation in the coming days.

New rules will allow workers to carry holiday entitlement over, give more time for companies to file accounts, and suspend personal liability of company directors of businesses that go bust during the crisis.