Hopes that life will return to normal within six months are at their highest level since July, new figures show.
More than a quarter (28 per cent) of adults in Britain believe life will return to normal within half a year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
However, 33 per cent feel this will take between seven to twelve months and 18 per cent that it will be longer than a year.
The ONS analysed responses from 4,151 adults surveyed between December 2 and 6.
Hopes have been steadily rising since late October, when nine per cent felt life would return to normal within six months, and the latest vaccine news may have further boosted optimism.
The last time such a high proportion felt this way was between July 8 and 12.
– Home tests for pupils too
In north-east London, an additional 44,000 home test kits will be made available for school staff.
Fifteen mobile testing units will be deployed in or near schools in the worst-affected boroughs of the capital for staff, students and their families to be tested, the Government has said.
In Essex, an additional 10 units will be deployed over the weekend.
Schools and colleges will be provided with information on how to get involved, and parents will be able to apply for tests using the online testing portal.
