THE UK Government has been accused of ignoring its scientists after new documents revealed a “circuit-breaker” lockdown was recommended for England three weeks ago.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said there should be a brief national lockdown introduced to slow the spread of the virus – but Tory ministers failed to act on the advice.

Downing Street insisted it brought in “robust but targeted and proportionate” measures including the rule of six and the 10pm curfew.

The Sage document, dated September 21, said a package of interventions was needed to reverse the “exponential” rise in cases.

READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: Compliance with new lockdown rules ‘good’

These recommendations included making all university teaching online-only, banning contact with members of other households and closing all bars, restaurants, cafes and gyms and professional services like hairdressers. Scientists added people should be told to work from home where possible.

The document added: “Measures should not be applied in too specific a geographical area.”

A UK Government spokesman said: “We took robust but targeted and proportionate action in September, including introducing the rule of six, restrictions to hospitality opening hours, and advice for people to work from home where they can, alongside tougher enforcement.

“This was carefully judged to protect lives and reduce the transmission of the virus whilst minimising the impact to livelihoods, and followed extensive engagement including with scientific advisers.”

Labour's shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, said: “The Government now needs to urgently explain why it ignored its own scientists and what it will be doing to get control of the virus.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pointed to the Tory Government’s failure to implement Sage's recommendations and spoke of Scotland’s latest restrictions.

Licensed premises cannot serve alcohol indoors and can only open between 6am and 6pm across most of Scotland, while in the central belt pubs and restaurants have been shut for 16 days.

Sturgeon said: “Decisions [The Scottish Government] has taken in recent weeks are tough & have tried to strike a balance, but they’re rooted in advice - we have nationwide restriction on household mixing in the home; a ‘circuit breaker’ closure/restriction of hospitality; and consistent advice to work from home.”