Friends and families could be reunited in ‘social bubbles’ of up to ten people by next month under lockdown-easing plans

• 'Social bubbles' could be the next measure introduced to help ease lockdown
• Britons will be allowed to socialise in groups, of up to 10 people, outside homes
• This could mean garden parties and barbecues are permitted from next month  

Families and friends could soon be allowed to meet in bigger 'social bubbles' of up to ten people, with outdoor meet-ups such as barbecues set to be allowed from next month, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has suggested.

He said ministers were looking at ways to make it easier for people to see more family members outside.

Barbecues and garden parties could also be among activities given the go-ahead by the end of June after being raised in the Cabinet.

It is understood the Government is looking at either allowing two families to meet outside or in a garden or setting a maximum number of people.

Mr Gove said yesterday that the ban on family gatherings had been 'tough' but said the Government was looking at ways to make a relaxation possible.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme yesterday: 'We're looking at how we can make it easier to see, in particular, more family members out of doors in a safe way.

Mr Gove later said at the daily press briefing at Downing Street: 'There is a yearning to see others from another household, and we are looking at how to make this happen in a safe way.  

'Two things, we want to make sure that people can get back to work. People want to be back at work. 

'The second thing is, you can see members of your family or friends outdoors and we're looking at how we can make it easier to see, in particular, more family members out of doors in a safe way.'  

Current rules allow one person to see someone from a different household if they are social distancing outside.

It is understood that the Prime Minister raised the prospect of wider social bubbles during a Cabinet meeting on Monday and that an official announcement could be made later this week.

Yesterday the Prime Minister's official spokesperson told The Telegraph: 'We will only move forward with proposals if it's safe to do so.'

The scheme, which could allow up to ten people to gather outside, has been used in New Zealand, which has had 21 coronavirus-related deaths compared to the UK's 37,000,

Current planning does not allow for big meet-ups indoors - and it is not yet clear if people wishing to attend a garden gathering will be allowed through the house.

Ministers may announce plans to allow greater social contact by the end of the week.

The Government's road map for easing measures included the possibility of allowing households to create a social 'bubble' with one other household.  

In Scotland, groups of two households will be allowed to gather in people's gardens from tomorrow.

en parties and barbecues would be allowed at the end of June, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We will only move forward with proposals if it's safe to do so and we are satisfied that we won't be doing anything that could risk a second spike in infections that might overwhelm the NHS.'

Professor John Newton said at the daily No 10 press briefing yesterday: 'The gradual increase in contact is what will get us all back to normal but we do have to bear in mind that everything we do has risk attached to it.'