A second lockdown is needed to "contain the surge", Boris Johnson has told MPs, before they vote on implementing restrictions in England.
The PM is likely to win the Commons vote on the measures later, with Labour's help - but around 20 Tory MPs could vote against them.
A four-week lockdown which includes the closure of pubs, gyms non-essential shops is due to start at midnight.
Mr Johnson said another lockdown was "not something any of us wanted to do".
Opening the debate, he added: "I am not prepared to take the risk with the lives of British people".
LIVE: MPs debate and vote on second England lockdown #coronavirus https://t.co/HcIoyczX2R
— Cheshire Live - Crewe (@CheshireLiveCrw) November 4, 2020
The restrictions will replace the three-tiers of regional restrictions across England.
One Tory rebel, former chief whip, Mark Harper said: "We have acted too soon because we are starting to see the tier system working."
Mr Johnson said he was "wrong" and the data showed hospitalisations mounting steadily, adding: "The curve is already unmistakeable."
Earlier at Prime Minister's Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Johnson of "ignoring" the advice of government scientists who called for a brief "circuit breaker" lockdown in September.
"Does the prime minister understand the human cost of his delay in acting?," he asked the PM.
Mr Johnson said it was "always right to pursue a local and a regional approach as our scientific advisers," adding that it was "showing signs of working".
Latest Stories
-
Eric Johnson
5 mins -
Tanzania denies abuse reports as World Bank halts funds
14 mins -
2024 polls: The person I defeated twice can’t succeed me – Akufo-Addo
21 mins -
NBA: Miami Heat beat Boston Celtics to even series
29 mins -
Two sentenced for stealing over 1,000 bags of rice
35 mins -
Zulu monarchy in row over king’s praise singer
38 mins -
Xavi to remain as Barcelona coach until at least June 2025
40 mins -
2Pac’s estate threatens to sue Drake over use of late rapper’s AI-generated voice
42 mins -
Yaw Nsarkoh: The President’s letter on the KPMG (SML) Report
42 mins -
Manasseh’s praise and criticism of Akufo-Addo’s action on the SML scandal
47 mins -
KPMG’s report confirms we haven’t been paid $100m – SML
51 mins -
SML refutes KPMG’s claim of GH¢1bn payment, says it’s inaccurate
58 mins -
Mahama’s speech at Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s unveiling as his running-mate
1 hour -
Asiedu Nketia’s full speech at official unveiling of Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as running-mate
1 hour -
We are committed to helping build a better Ghana – SML
1 hour