Boris Johnson has been told it is up to him to decide whether to accept more coronavirus cases in exchange for relaxing the two-metre rule as scientists distance themselves from the trade-off.
The prime minister has said he wants to cut the recommendation as infections fall but has been told by his advisers that there is no magic number at which changing the rule is safe.
Weighing up the needs of the economy and of health is an inherently political choice which cannot be delegated to scientists, members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) have said.
Figures due today showing the immediate damage to the economy as a result of the March 23 lockdown will intensify pressure on Mr Johnson to act.
Some
