The country recorded 15,871 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and 479 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for the virus, according to official data.
Police in London said that they had made over 60 arrests and expected that figure to rise, as they tried to break up anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine protests.
The police said that the arrests had been made for different offences including breaching coronavirus restrictions
Boris Johnson has named Nadhim Zahawi, currently a junior business minister, as the minister responsible for COVID-19 vaccine deployment, in a sign that the government is readying a mass vaccination programme.
Zahawi will report to health minister Matt Hancock in his new role, with his primary focus on vaccine deployment although he will keep some of his business responsibilities.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office on Saturday added that the new arrangement was temporary and would last until at least next summer.
