The vast majority of secondary school pupils will not return as planned next week as the Education Secretary responds to rising coronavirus infection rates.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, Gavin Williamson told MPs that the "vast majority of primary schools would open as planned" on January 4.

He confirmed that a small number of areas where the "infection rate is highest" would not reopen - except for vulnerable children and children of critical workers.

Cumbria is not among those areas.

Pupils in exam years will return on January 11, with secondary school pupils returning on January 18.

Secondary schools will reopen to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers on January 4, with preparations taking place to test "as many pupils and teachers as possible".

All remaining pupils will return on January 18, in "most areas", Mr Williamson said.

The Education Secretary said a full list of areas affected would be published today.

He added that the delay would allow for mass testing to be rolled out across schools.