The UK government faced renewed pressure on 13 Octob

Lockdown? It's not a bad idea

A two-week blockade could save thousands of lives by the end of the year

Sage members estimated that more than 7,000 lives could be saved if schools were closed and people were forced to stay at home for a fortnight from October 24.

Their findings will be published in a newspaper today after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a quick and sudden blockade, warning that drastic short-term measures were needed to avoid "sleepwalking in a long, dark winter.

It comes at a time when the government's new three-tier coronavirus system comes into effect in England, with London and other areas set to enter higher risk categories "within a few days.

Sage: The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies