THE government's press conferences will no longer happen on weekends because fewer people are watching them.

Briefings have been held on all but two days since March 16, but the government has decided to scrap them on Saturdays and Sundays from this week.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has appeared at 12 press conferences so far and will lead at least one briefing a week from now on alongside scientific and medical experts.

The PM's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “From this week, the press conferences will be on weekdays only, so no longer on Saturdays and Sundays.

“The PM will take a press conference every week alongside… the scientific and medical experts.

“Others will be led by secretaries of state, alongside scientific and medical experts where relevant.”

Asked why the change was being made, the spokesman said: “It is just a fact that the numbers who are viewing at weekends do tend to be significantly lower.”

Number 10 insisted the government was “absolutely committed to keeping people updated”.