Concerns rise after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the final step of the lockdown roadmap. His plans will see coronavirus restrictions entirely scrapped, despite cases rising, on July 19th.
The future of Coronavirus Restrictions
Mr. Johnson has said that he wants the last stage of the lockdown roadmap to be “irreversible”. His decision will make England the most unrestricted country in Europe. However, cases in the UK continue to rise. The easing of Lockdown restrictions this July was set to make the nation’s summer. Now, there are fears it will have the reverse effect.
Leader of the labour party, Sir Keir Starmer has said that Mr Johnson’s decision to lift all restrictions at once, despite the increase in infection rates, is “reckless”. Mr Johnson also warned that millions in the country will need to isolate this summer, due to the spread of what he calls the “Johnson variant”.
Sir Starmer accused the Prime Minister of putting the country on course for a “summer of chaos and confusion”. Mr Starmer highlighted that there could be one-hundred-thousand coronavirus cases a day within weeks.
Mr Johnson has however repeatedly declined to say how many people will have to self isolate following his relaxation of restrictions.
The Prime Minister says that when July 19th comes, we will be at a time where there will have been much more progress” in the vaccination rollout. He also says that scientists are “absolutely clear” the link between cases and deaths has been “severed” because of the vaccination programme, further influencing his decision.
We must still take precautions
Mr Johnson also stresses that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise. He says we must therefore learn to live with the virus carefully, as we do with the flu. He says we must manage the risks from COVID and exercise judgement when going about our lives. Mr Johnson also says this means that hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths from COVID will continue. However, this will be at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme.
To continue to receive the best possible protection against COVID, all adults are being encouraged to get two vaccine doses. According to Downing Street, by the 4th July, over 78 million vaccine doses were administered in the UK, and 63.4 per cent of adults had received two doses.
The Prime Minister’s plans to relax restrictions are said to be data-driven and will be confirmed next Monday on the 12th of July. This will be following a review of the latest coronavirus infections and hospitalisations statistics. Here, Mr Johnson will confirm the rules around social distancing requirements, face coverings, and working from home.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineKeir Starmer calls PM’s plans “reckless”
Short HeadlineKeir Starmer calls PM's plans "reckless"
StandfirstThe Labour leader says we must prepare for a summer of "chaos" following Mr Johnson's decision
Concerns rise after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the final step of the lockdown roadmap. His plans will see coronavirus restrictions entirely scrapped, despite cases rising, on July 19th.
The future of Coronavirus Restrictions
Mr. Johnson has said that he wants the last stage of the lockdown roadmap to be “irreversible”. His decision will make England the most unrestricted country in Europe. However, cases in the UK continue to rise. The easing of Lockdown restrictions this July was set to make the nation’s summer. Now, there are fears it will have the reverse effect.
Leader of the labour party, Sir Keir Starmer has said that Mr Johnson’s decision to lift all restrictions at once, despite the increase in infection rates, is “reckless”. Mr Johnson also warned that millions in the country will need to isolate this summer, due to the spread of what he calls the “Johnson variant”.
Sir Starmer accused the Prime Minister of putting the country on course for a “summer of chaos and confusion”. Mr Starmer highlighted that there could be one-hundred-thousand coronavirus cases a day within weeks.
Mr Johnson has however repeatedly declined to say how many people will have to self isolate following his relaxation of restrictions.
The Prime Minister says that when July 19th comes, we will be at a time where there will have been much more progress” in the vaccination rollout. He also says that scientists are “absolutely clear” the link between cases and deaths has been “severed” because of the vaccination programme, further influencing his decision.
We must still take precautions
Mr Johnson also stresses that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise. He says we must therefore learn to live with the virus carefully, as we do with the flu. He says we must manage the risks from COVID and exercise judgement when going about our lives. Mr Johnson also says this means that hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths from COVID will continue. However, this will be at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme.
To continue to receive the best possible protection against COVID, all adults are being encouraged to get two vaccine doses. According to Downing Street, by the 4th July, over 78 million vaccine doses were administered in the UK, and 63.4 per cent of adults had received two doses.
The Prime Minister’s plans to relax restrictions are said to be data-driven and will be confirmed next Monday on the 12th of July. This will be following a review of the latest coronavirus infections and hospitalisations statistics. Here, Mr Johnson will confirm the rules around social distancing requirements, face coverings, and working from home.
A 2024 Freedom of Information request showed Bromley Council had £4.5 million invested in arms companies that year with £1.5 million reportedly linked to Israel.
Undercover officers raided three linked shops in Barking town centre, revealing how illicit tobacco is being hidden in walls, ceilings and nearby locations to evade detection.
More than 330,000 people across the UK sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025 over concerns about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children, according to new charity data. The anonymous service says contacts by phone, email and webchat rose significantly over the year.
