The UK has reported a further 1,041 people have died with coronavirus, the highest daily death toll since April.

It came as 62,322 new cases were recorded, the highest daily rise since mass testing began, and as MPs supported England's lockdown.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier said doctors could be forced to ration treatment without the new curbs.

There are 30,074 Covid patients in UK hospitals, he said, as an ambulance trust told of severe pressure.

Current patient numbers are 39% higher than the previous peak on 12 April last year, when 21,684 were hospitalised.

The number of those who died within 28 days of a positive test in the past week is 37% higher than the previous seven days.

Mr Hancock told MPs the consequences of inaction could be similar to scenes elsewhere in the world - of overrun hospitals and doctors choosing "who to treat and who to turn away".

"If we don't act now, we know that eventually the NHS would not be able to cope," Mr Hancock said.

"We know that while the winter weeks will be difficult, we now know what the way out looks like," he added, referencing the accelerated roll out of vaccines.

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