After weeks of uncertainty students have been told williamson-announcement-university-students-christmas-a4558866.html">they can go home for Christmas if they want, although they might have to self-isolate before leaving. The education secretary Gavin Williamson's announcement has eased the anxiety of thousands who feared being stuck in halls of residence during the festive season. But our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, says it leaves the government figuring out the headache of moving thousands of people during pandemic. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson's apologised aftereast-england-lockdown-rules-pub-gardens-boris-johnson-a4558871.html"> getting confused by his own lockdown rules during a press conference. Nicholas tells us saying sorry won't bring back public trust. 

Also, Tory rebel Steve Baker tells the Leader podcast why he thinks the government's going too far with its lockdown restrictions. He's among backbenchers who are voting against renewing the emergency coronavirus powers, with some calling them "intrusive and ridiculous". Mr Baker says that Downing Street will have to meet a list of demands, including allowing parliament a vote, before he'll back the PM's strategy.

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