MATT Hancock will give a statement to the House of Commons at 4pm today about the threat of the super-infectious Indian variant.
The Health Secretary will update MPs on the Government's battle plan to tackle the outbreak and keep the PM's roadmap on track.
? Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
Boris Johnson has warned the highly-transmissible strain could scupper the June 21 Independence Day when lockdown is set to end.
Ministers were this morning confident they could wrestle down the virus in time to achieve this milestone.
Testing blitzes in hotspots afflicted by the Indian variant such as Bolton are underway to extinguish the spread of the virus.
Local health officials are also calling on ministers to introduce "surge vaccines" so younger people in these areas can be inoculated.
Downing Street today appeared to rule out such a move, arguing that the current strategy of moving down ages was the best approach.
But the alarm has been raised that unjabbed residents refusing their doses will spoil the easing of restrictions for everyone else.
Matt Hancock said yesterday the "vast majority" of 18 people hospitalised in Bolton had been offered the vaccine but hadn't taken it.
It has ignited a raging debate over whether the roadmap should be delayed to protect people who not taking up their jabs.
Tory MP Conor Burns said: "As a nation we have tolerated with generally good humour the most profound curtailment of our freedoms in peacetime for the greater good.
"It wouldn’t be right to do it again for those who have been offered a vaccine and have freely chosen not to take it – fully aware of the risks."
Source: Read Full Article
