Keir Starmer on passing the 100,000 Covid death threshold: “The question on everyone’s lips is why. The Prime Minister must have thought about that a lot. Could he tell us why he thinks the United Kingdom has ended up with a death toll of 100,000- the highest number in Europe?”
Starmer might have added that it’s also the worst death rate in the world as of yesterday.
PM: “We mourn every death in this pandemic and we share the grief of all those who have been bereaved. Let the House be in no doubt that I and the government take full responsibility for all the actions we’ve taken.”
PM repeats the line used by ministers all day and in the past that this isn’t the time to reflect and learn lessons.

But why not? We’re still in the middle of this. And perhaps had we looked back more thoroughly before the winter we might not have been in this position now.
Starmer: “The question is why- why has the UK the highest death toll in Europe? Why has the UK a death rate that is worse than nearly any other country? The PM is going to have to answer that one day. He should have the decency to answer it today.”
PM says that he hoped “within the next few weeks how this country will exit the pandemic”

If that means easing of restrictions, hospital numbers are still going to be very very high...
PM confirms Priti Patel to be announcing new border measures for “hotspot” countries later today
Starmer calls for vaccination of key workers (including teachers) as soon as priority groups are completed, says will be a means of getting schools reopened
Boris Johnson: “No one has worked harder than my rt. Hon friend, the Secretary of State for Education [Gavin Williamson] to keep schools open.”
You can follow @lewis_goodall.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:

By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.