Coronavirus latest

PM must implement an immediate national circuit breaker

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has called for an immediate national circuit breaker to "correct the failing test, trace and isolate system" and keep people safe.

• The Government has been badly prepared and slow to act at every stage throughout this health and jobs crisis. That can't happen again, especially in the run up to Christmas.
• That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to start an immediate national circuit breaker across the UK. This is the only chance we now have to get the virus under control and save Christmas for millions of families across the UK.
• The Government must use this national circuit breaker as a time to correct the failing test, trace and isolate system which is crucial to keeping people safe, minimising hospital admissions and restarting the UK economy.
• Liberal Democrats are also calling on all the governments of the four nations to work together to create common guidelines across the UK so families can get as much clarity as possible as we head into the festive period.

Govt must fix failing test and trace system

Statistics released yesterday showed that four in ten close contacts of people who tested positive for coronavirus in England are still not being reached by the Test and Trace system.

• These figures show that tracing is still woefully inadequate, despite repeated calls for the Government to fix the failing test and trace system. The test, trace and isolate system is essential to not only slow the spread of coronavirus, but for people to have any hope of ever getting out of the Government's restrictions.
• It is long overdue that Matt Hancock comes to Parliament to explain what this Government will do to overhaul their shambolic test, trace and isolate system - and answer to why they have failed to do so thus far.
• If Ministers are to get a grip on this second wave, then tests need to be turned around in 24 hours, tracing needs to be led by experts in local authorities, and there needs to be more practical and financial support to help people isolate.
• Otherwise people's lives and livelihoods remain at risk thanks to this Government's incompetence.