Fresh proposals to help businesses "adjust" while social distancing measures remain in place will come before MPs this week, Downing Street has confirmed.

Number 10 said the Business and Planning Bill - which has been dubbed the Covid Bill by officials - is set to be introduced in the House of Commons in the coming days.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters: "There is a Covid Bill which will look at new ways of working as the country recovers from the disruption caused by coronavirus and which is intended to help businesses through the summer months in particular.

"I would expect that Bill to be introduced this week."

The Times on Saturday reported that ministers were gearing up to publish new laws to encourage an "al fresco revolution".

Part of the changes would see every pub, bar and restaurant automatically given permission to serve alcohol for people to drink on the pavement and in the street, exploiting scientific findings that coronavirus spreads less easily outside.

The tweaks would allow businesses to "capitalise on the summer months", the PM's spokesman said on Monday.

He said: "In terms of what is in the Bill, it is right that that will go to Parliament first but, as I say, at the heart of it will be legislation to enable businesses to adjust to new ways of working and to help them to capitalise on the summer months.

"It will look to support business to implement safer ways of working to manage the ongoing risks of coronavirus and, in particular, the need for social distancing."

It comes as Boris Johnson prepares to announce a reduction to the current two-metre social distancing restriction on Tuesday.

One plan that looks to have been put on the back burner by Downing Street is mooted proposals to extend Sunday trading hours following reports in the Telegraph of a mounting Tory revolt.

No. 10 said only that Sunday trading proposals were "under review" after Labour suggested the changes were not in the so-called Covid Bill.

Reports claimed that Mr Johnson had been warned in a letter from backbenchers that at least 50 Conservative MPs were prepared to join forces with Labour to defeat any attempt to loosen Sunday trading hours.

The PM's spokesman said: "We have said we will keep measures such as extending Sunday trading hours under review as they can support shops with social distancing and allow shoppers to buy food and other items more conveniently."