Government has extended powers it gives to local councils in England, allowing them to pubs and restaurants The powers, introduced last year, were due to expire next week but have now been extended until mid-July It comes after a 70-strong group of backbench Tory MPs demanded timetable for lifting of Covid restrictions Downing Street refused to rule out England's third lockdown, due to end in February, could stretch to summer This week Government scientists urged ministers to delay reopening of pubs until May to slow Covid spread