BORIS JOHNSON said he hoped for a 'more significant return to normality by November', as he announced further reopening of the economy.

He said: "From August 1, we will reopen most remaining leisure settings, namely bowling, skating rings, casinos and we will enable close contact services, beauticians to resume.

"Nightclubs, soft play areas - sadly - need to remain closed for now, although this will be kept under review.

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"We will restart indoor performances to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sport stadia, with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn.

"We will also allow wedding receptions for up to 30 people."

He added: "It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November, at the earliest, possibly in time for Christmas."

On the increase in coronavirus testing, the Mr Johnson said: "As we approach winter we will need to go further, not least as many more people will show Covid-like symptoms as a result of seasonal illnesses and therefore require a test."

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The Prime Minister said it was not for the Government to tell employers if staff should return to their workplaces.

It comes after chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said on Thursday there was no need to change the work-from-home, if you can, advice.

He said: "I totally agree with Patrick Vallance on what he is saying.

"It is not for Government to decide how employers should run their companies and whether they want their work forces in the office or not - that is for companies.

"What we're saying now is that if employers think it would be better and more productive for their employees to come into the office and they can work in a safe way, in a Covid-secure way in the office, then there should be discussions between employers and employees and people should take a decision.

"What we're saying is we want to encourage people that if it is safe to come into work, provided employers have done the work they should have done to make their work places Covid-secure as so many business up and down the country have already done.

"That's what we want to see from August 1."