MID-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston hopes people will understand ‘the need for caution’ after Boris Johnson confirmed most remaining restrictions on social contact will continue beyond June 21.

The limit on wedding guest numbers will be removed, but venues will still have to adhere to other rules.

Mr Huddleston is confident the remaining restrictions will be eased on July 19.

Following the news, Mr Huddleston said: “I know that many people are disappointed with the decision to delay the further easing of restrictions for another four weeks, but hope that most of my constituents will understand the need for caution in the face of rising infection rates and also hospitalisations - with numbers doubling in the worst affected areas.

“As the Prime Minister explained in his announcement, unfortunately, we have not met all four tests to proceed with step four.

“While we have been able to follow the roadmap as planned so far, we need to give our NHS a few more crucial weeks to get those remaining jabs into the arms of those who need them.”

He continued: “This delay, of course, has implications for people and businesses across England, and considerably impacts those who fall under my brief as Sport and Tourism Minister.

“But we have set out that with the expansion of the Events Research Programme, some sporting events like the Euros and Wimbledon will be going ahead as planned and with increased capacities.

“It’s also good news that weddings will be allowed to go ahead with an unlimited number of people, subject to social distancing measures and following government guidance.

“We want these steps to be irreversible, and so we are choosing to pause easing restrictions now to ensure we can avoid lockdowns or more restrictions in the future.

“I’m confident that with the pace that we are vaccinating adults, we will be able to ease restrictions on July 19.”

Many scientists had called for a delay to step four due to the spread of the Delta variant.

The delay will also allow more work to be done on whether vaccines are breaking or weakening the link between infections and hospitalisations.