THE Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled the new 'three-tier' lockdown system across England - and he has urged councils to agree to the strictest tiers "where necessary".

In the House of Commons this afternoon, the PM urged councils to agree to the strictest of measures in areas where the Covid-19 infection rate is much higher. 

It comes as the PM did not mention any places in the North-East would be placed under tier three during his speech. 

Although it has since been confirmed that Darlington and the Tees Valley is expected to fall under tier two, according to Labour MP for Hartlepool Mike Hill.

In the commons, Conservative former health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “We all want to avoid a second national lockdown, which would be devastating for jobs.

“Does (Mr Johnson) agree that the evidence from China, Korea and Italy is that the best way to avoid this is earlier decisive, localised interventions however difficult, however unpalatable and today’s difficult decision is not therefore about a trade-off between jobs and health, but ultimately the best way to secure both?”

The Prime Minister said Mr Hunt is “absolutely right”, adding: “I know local leaders across the country will listen to him and I hope they will accept our offer and go into Tier 3 where necessary.”