Grantham MP Gareth Davies has spoken out on why he voted to support the second lockdown, as introduced by the government last Thursday.

The MP's support for Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoes that of Vale of Belvoir MP Alicia Kearns, who has also given a detailed explanation of her support, as recently reported by Nub News.

Mr Davies told Nub News: "In March, we all pulled together in a spirit of national sacrifice and community. Acting together, for the benefit of all, we ensured the NHS was protected and thousands of lives were saved. Unfortunately, the evidence shows that the virus has recently started to spread again in an exponential way and that is why the Prime Minister has acted.

"While the virus is more widespread in the North West, it is doubling faster in the South East, and fastest in the Midlands. On present trends hospitals in the South West would run out of current capacity by the end of November. Other regions would follow soon after.

"I have been informed that if we do not take these measures, we would exceed the first wave peak at around 20 November, exceed currently available hospital beds by around 23 November and exceed surge capacity and capacity freed up from postponing some hospital services – which we do not want to do given the impact on vital care – by around 4 December. The legislation is time limited, but as the current situation has shown, we must be guided by the facts."

Mr Davies continued: "I am assured that the advice is that this four-week period will make a significant difference to progress the control of the virus. When this new lockdown period ends, I believe that the tiered framework already in place will continue to enable the Government and local authorities to work together to target regional outbreaks.

"It is clear the economic effects of fighting COVID-19 last longer for businesses than the duration of any given restrictions, and we need to go further with our support. I welcome that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended until March in response to new national restrictions, and to give people and businesses across the whole United Kingdom the certainty they need over what will be a difficult winter."

He added: "Measures must continue to be proportionate to the risk the virus poses, and the impact on the economy, livelihoods and personal freedoms cannot be too great.

"I will bear in mind the views constituents raise and continue to ensure the people of Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and local villages are represented when these matters are debated in the House."