Boris Johnson has told MPs that recent coronavirus restrictions “are starting to show signs of some effect” – but he refused to rule out even tougher measures.<\/p>\n
The prime minister came under fresh pressure from Labour on Wednesday to tighten COVID rules in order to drive down infections.<\/p>\n
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, addressing Mr Johnson at the first session of Prime Minister’s Questions this year, said the current lockdown in England was “not strong enough”.<\/p>\n
“Every time there’s a big decision to take, the prime minister gets there late,” Sir Keir told MPs.<\/p>\n
“The next big decision is obvious, the current restrictions are not strong enough to control the virus.<\/p>\n
“Stronger restrictions are needed.”<\/p>\n
Responding to the reaction of Conservative MPs, Sir Keir added: “There’s no point members opposite shaking their heads, in a week or two the prime minister is likely to be asking members to vote for this.”<\/p>\n
He then asked Mr Johnson to explain – with COVID infection rates, hospital admissions and death rates higher than the first lockdown last year – “why on earth are restrictions weaker than last March?”<\/p>\n
The Labour leader has previously pointed to how nurseries remain open and how house viewings can continue, as examples of how the current lockdown – England’s third national shutdown – could be strengthened.<\/p>\n
In reply to Sir Keir, Mr Johnson said: “We keep things under constant review and we will continue to do so.<\/p>\n
“And certainly if there is any need to toughen up restrictions, which I don’t rule out, we will of course come to this House.”<\/p>\n
However, the prime minister told MPs that the lockdown measures – and the Tier 4 restrictions that preceded then in many areas of England – are “starting to show signs of some effect”.<\/p>\n
“We must take account of that too, because nobody can doubt the serious damage that is done by lockdowns to people’s mental health, to jobs, to livelihoods,” Mr Johnson said.<\/p>\n
He accused Sir Keir of having “absolutely no other policy except to plunge this country into 12 months of lockdown”.<\/p>\n