The majority of people in hospital with Covid in Bolton were eligible for the vaccine but have not had it, Matt Hancock has said, saying that health authorities would go “door-to-door” offering jabs. His comments came as concern mounted over increased cases of the B.1.617.2 variant first detected in India, particularly in the north-west and parts of London, which could affect the future easing of lockdown restrictions. “I suppose the number one.
Sunday shows round-up: Hancock refuses to rule out local Covid restrictions spectator.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from spectator.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A public inquiry must examine whether Boris Johnson’s decision to delay adding India to the travel “red list” of countries was influenced by his desire to start trade talks with Delhi, the chair of a cross-party Covid inquiry group has said. It came as Downing Street and the health secretary, Matt Hancock, denied politics was involved in the decision to wait 17 days before putting India on the list of countries requiring mandatory hotel.
Tue 11 May 2021 12.39 EDT
Last modified on Wed 12 May 2021 00.11 EDT
Boris Johnson has for the first time put a loose timeframe on launching a full public inquiry into the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, saying it would start in this session of parliament.
A session is usually around a year, although it could be longer. One recent session lasted from 21 June 2017 to 8 October 2019.
“I do believe it’s essential we have a full, proper public inquiry into the Covid pandemic,” the prime minister said, in response to questioning from the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey.
“I can certainly say that we will do that within this session,” Johnson told him.
The Covid memorial wall in London. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters
Thu 29 Apr 2021 13.00 EDT
Last modified on Tue 4 May 2021 12.21 EDT
Boris Johnsonâs refusal to trigger a public inquiry into the UKâs handling of Covid is facing a fresh challenge as some of the countryâs leading experts in government and healthcare demand the launch of an immediate investigation.
The Institute for Government (IfG), whose leadership includes the former Conservative cabinet minister David Lidington and the former Labour science minister Lord Sainsbury, will call on the prime minister to set up a statutory public inquiry in May, with hearings to start in September.