HOLIDAYS across the UK without travel restrictions are looking more likely than ever thanks to the vaccine rollout, the Health Secretary has said.
Matt Hancock said he was "optimistic" as more than 20 million people have been given their first Covid jab – 30 per cent of the population.
The vaccination programme is now on the second part of its first phase after everyone in the four main priority groups was offered a jab by mid-February.
The rollout has now been expanded to include those aged 60 and above and people with underlying health conditions – and the rest of over-50s will follow.
Mr Hancock said: "I very much hope that as we are able to lift restrictions then we are all able to travel across the UK.
"I'm confident because of the vaccine we will be able to make that progress and then be able to, all of us, to travel freely wherever we are within these islands.
"One of the factors that we have to be vigilant about in that road map is the emergence of new variants, in case the current vaccines are not as effective.
"I've said before that I'm optimistic for a great British summer and I'm now more optimistic about having a great British summer than I have been at any time, thanks to the speed and the effectiveness of the vaccine rollout.
"By great British summer, I absolutely mean people being able to enjoy travel across the whole of the UK."
He added that Scotland travel rules are a "matter for the Scottish Government," but added: "I think we can all see that we can make a stride down that roadmap thanks to the speed of the vaccine rollout."
UK holidays are able to go ahead from April 12, it was announced last month, although with travel restrictions in place.
Only one household can go away, and it has to be at self-catered accommodation.
From May 17, group holidays can go ahead – either two households, or the rule of six from any number of households – while hotels will also open.
June 21 is the earliest date suggested for restriction-free travel in the UK.
Foreign holidays are yet to be given the go-ahead with the government's Global Taskforce to announce one on April 12.
Nicola Sturgeon has warned, however, that while staycations may go ahead this summer, foreign trips are likely to be cancelled in Scotland this summer.
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Some experts have warned, however, that the new variants in the UK may hinder the borders opening for foreign holidays this summer.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper previously warned: "There is a concern about whether the government is raising expectations about summer holidays that they may not be able to meet.
"We've been advised on the committee by scientists that the strength of these border measures become even more important as domestic cases fall.
"As our own cases fall and as the economy and society opens up, they argue that that's when you actually need stronger measure at the border rather than reduce them."
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