and access to lateral flow tests have been instrumental in containing the virus and as we move forward to live with covid these are the very safeguards which support a return to normal life and these short—sighted decisions have long—term implications. they also hamper vital surveillance efforts and impede the ability to respond to new variants and the reality is that we have a prime minister beset by chaos and mired in a police investigation for breaking his own covid laws and he can shake his head but that is the reality. a prime minister who has no moral authority to lead, desperately seeking to appease his backbenchers, and we know this reckless statement flies in the face of advice from scientists and the who and that is because this statement is not about protecting the public, but it is about the prime minister scrambling

to save his own skin. you would not believe it from what the right _ you would not believe it from what the right honourable gentleman has 'ust the right honourable gentleman has just said _ the right honourable gentleman has just said but the cooperation between the uk government, scottish authority. _ between the uk government, scottish authority, has been outstanding. and will continue to be outstanding. i can tell_ will continue to be outstanding. i can tell him, he asked about free tests_ can tell him, he asked about free tests and — can tell him, he asked about free tests and how they are to be paid, the three — tests and how they are to be paid, the three tests will continue until the three tests will continue until the beginning of april. of course, if people — the beginning of april. of course, if people want to continue beyond then, _ if people want to continue beyond then, and — if people want to continue beyond then, and i— if people want to continue beyond then, and i set out for the house then, and i set out for the house the reasons— then, and i set out for the house the reasons why we think it is sensible — the reasons why we think it is sensible to focus on surveillance and spotting new variants, put investment into that rather than mass _ investment into that rather than mass testing, then he has access to the 41 _ mass testing, then he has access to the 41 billion record settlement he

has under— the 41 billion record settlement he has under barnett. also he has access— has under barnett. also he has access to — has under barnett. also he has access to hundreds of millions from the health— access to hundreds of millions from the health and care levy. the only astonishing thing is he voted against — astonishing thing is he voted against it. | astonishing thing is he voted against it— astonishing thing is he voted against it. astonishing thing is he voted auainst it. . , .., against it. i warmly welcome the statement _ against it. i warmly welcome the statement the _ against it. i warmly welcome the statement the prime _ against it. i warmly welcome the statement the prime minister i statement the prime minister has made. the prime minister will be aware of growing international levels that lockdowns have been largely ineffective in preventing covid mortality and we are acutely aware of the massive damage done economically and to the health of the people due to lockdowns. will he review pandemic planning to make sure crucial lessons are learned? yes, i thank my right honourable friend _ yes, i thank my right honourable friend and — yes, i thank my right honourable friend and he is right to draw attention— friend and he is right to draw attention to all sorts of studies about— attention to all sorts of studies about the efficacy of lockdowns. i

think— about the efficacy of lockdowns. i think the — about the efficacy of lockdowns. i think the collective actions of the public— think the collective actions of the public were indispensable in saving many— public were indispensable in saving many thousands of lives. i am sure the evidence will be looked at in the evidence will be looked at in the course — the evidence will be looked at in the course of the inquiry. new anti-viral— the course of the inquiry. new anti-viral drugs _ the course of the inquiry. new anti-viral drugs have - the course of the inquiry. iis anti—viral drugs have made a difference to the treatment of covid. they are the first line of defence. they work best when given early. one of the requirements to qualify to get an anti—viral drug at the moment is the person has tested positive for covid. if he is going to get rid of free tests, how will people have access to the medicine? with great respect, people who are symptomatic will of course continue to have _ symptomatic will of course continue to have access to testing.

our historic vaccine programme is the reason we are in this position today and i take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for the roll—out of the vaccination programme and those who have had to deal with restrictions for longer than most. does he agree this is why we must learn to live with the virus due to how damaging restrictions can be on mental health and wellbeing? my be on mental health and wellbeing? my honourable friend is right. we have _ my honourable friend is right. we have to _ my honourable friend is right. we have to set all these decisions, the cost of— have to set all these decisions, the cost of lockdowns, cost on people's mental _ cost of lockdowns, cost on people's mental health and wellbeing against the difficult decisions we have to make _ the difficult decisions we have to make about opening up society. i think— make about opening up society. i think the — make about opening up society. i think the house understands and i think— think the house understands and i think it _ think the house understands and i think it is — think the house understands and i think it is a — think the house understands and i think it is a balanced decision that is right _ think it is a balanced decision that is right i— think it is a balanced decision that is right. i will clarify to the right— is right. i will clarify to the right honourable gentleman, those who are _ right honourable gentleman, those who are vulnerable and symptomatic will have _

who are vulnerable and symptomatic will have access to testing. i should — will have access to testing. i should have said that in my answer to his _ should have said that in my answer to his question. in a should have said that in my answer to his question.— to his question. in a recent survey the majority _ to his question. in a recent survey the majority of — to his question. in a recent survey the majority of nhs _ to his question. in a recent survey the majority of nhs leaders - to his question. in a recent survey the majority of nhs leaders agree j to his question. in a recent survey l the majority of nhs leaders agree it is not the right time to end freeze testing. can the prime minister tell me why he disagrees with those leaders and what scientific advice he has considered to come to this decision that could have a real impact on the nhs elective recovery plan? i impact on the nhs elective recovery ian? . impact on the nhs elective recovery . ian? ., ., , impact on the nhs elective recovery ian? ., ., , ., plan? i hear the anxieties of --eole, plan? i hear the anxieties of peeple. but _ plan? i hear the anxieties of peeple. but i _ plan? i hear the anxieties of people, but i have _ plan? i hear the anxieties of people, but i have to - plan? i hear the anxieties of people, but i have to say - plan? i hear the anxieties of people, but i have to say i i plan? i hear the anxieties of. people, but i have to say i think plan? i hear the anxieties of - people, but i have to say i think it is the _ people, but i have to say i think it is the balance and right decision. i will remind — is the balance and right decision. i will remind her of what her benches have said _ will remind her of what her benches have said about the cost of testing. we think— have said about the cost of testing. we think the best thing to focus on is, given— we think the best thing to focus on is, given the severity of omicron, the trest— is, given the severity of omicron, the best thing is to focus on surveillance and use the huge funds currently— surveillance and use the huge funds currently dedicated to mass testing

on electives and the other things we need to— on electives and the other things we need to d0~ — on electives and the other things we need to do. sir on electives and the other things we need to de— need to do. sir andrew park lard of the oxford — need to do. sir andrew park lard of the oxford vaccine _ need to do. sir andrew park lard of the oxford vaccine group _ need to do. sir andrew park lard of the oxford vaccine group said - need to do. sir andrew park lard of the oxford vaccine group said it - the oxford vaccine group said it doesn't make a difference whether the decision to lift restrictions is taken now or in a few weeks so it is not clear the purpose of waiting any longer. what we know is that at times, we did not have the testing capacity we needed at times when we needed it most acutely. given the ongoing surveillance, if that threw up ongoing surveillance, if that threw up a variant that was more dangerous than omicron, how quickly can we stand up and deploy again mass testing? stand up and deploy again mass testin: ? . , stand up and deploy again mass testin ? ., , , testing? that is exactly the right ruestion testing? that is exactly the right question and _ testing? that is exactly the right question and that _ testing? that is exactly the right question and that is _ testing? that is exactly the right question and that is why - testing? that is exactly the right question and that is why we - testing? that is exactly the right question and that is why we are | question and that is why we are putting — question and that is why we are putting emphasis on surveillance and the ons_ putting emphasis on surveillance and the ons and its amazing ability to detect— the ons and its amazing ability to detect what is going on in local areas. — detect what is going on in local areas. as— detect what is going on in local areas, as well as other forms of surveillance. we want to spot the new variant — surveillance. we want to spot the new variant of concern as soon as we

new variant of concern as 50011 as we can new variant of concern as soon as we can and _ new variant of concern as soon as we can and then _ new variant of concern as soon as we can and then we want to to surge testing _ can and then we want to to surge testing capacity in the way we did before _ testing capacity in the way we did before and much faster now since it is already— before and much faster now since it is already to — before and much faster now since it is already to go. we will have stockpiles and keep laboratories in readiness— stockpiles and keep laboratories in readiness and we will be able to surge _ readiness and we will be able to surge where necessary, but now is not the _ surge where necessary, but now is not the right time to continue with mass _ not the right time to continue with mass testing. from april it will not be the _ mass testing. from april it will not be the right— mass testing. from april it will not be the right time to continue in the way we _ be the right time to continue in the way we have. can be the right time to continue in the way we have-— way we have. can i 'oin him in sendin: way we have. can i 'oin him in sending ou_ way we have. can i 'oin him in sending our best _ way we have. can ijoin him in sending our best wishes - way we have. can ijoin him in sending our best wishes to . way we have. can ijoin him in| sending our best wishes to her majesty the queen and hope she gets well soon. there are millions of family carers taking regular lateral flow tests to ensure they do not pass covid to vulnerable loved ones. the prime minister says these carers must pay for tests out of their own pocket. even though many family carers can hardly make ends meet. is the prime minister really telling people they must use money for the

weekly shop or attest, so they do not accidentally take the virus into their loved ones' homes? surely a tax on caring would be unfair and unjust? he tax on caring would be unfair and un'ust? , ., ., unjust? he is right to draw attention _ unjust? he is right to draw attention to _ unjust? he is right to draw attention to the _ unjust? he is right to draw attention to the need - unjust? he is right to draw attention to the need to i unjust? he is right to draw - attention to the need to protect care homes and those who work in care homes and those who work in care homes — care homes and those who work in care homes. he should wait until march, _ care homes. he should wait until march, when we will set out in more detail— march, when we will set out in more detail those — march, when we will set out in more detail those who will continue to be entitled _ detail those who will continue to be entitled to free tests.— entitled to free tests. almost two ears entitled to free tests. almost two years ago. _ entitled to free tests. almost two years ago. this — entitled to free tests. almost two years ago, this house _ entitled to free tests. almost two years ago, this house voted - years ago, this house voted unanimously on the statutory measures necessary to keep people safe during the pandemic. i agree with the prime minister that now, thanks to vaccines, these measures are no longer necessary and indeed that we are the first major country

in the world to pass the pandemic. is it not extraordinary that despite the consensus on restrictions back then, the consensus on giving people back their freedom, which then, the consensus on giving people back theirfreedom, which is often so much harder, and trusting to personal responsibility, that consensus appears only to exist on this side of the house? i consensus appears only to exist on this side of the house?— this side of the house? i think it is a ureat this side of the house? i think it is a great shame _ this side of the house? i think it is a great shame the _ this side of the house? i think it is a great shame the opposition | is a great shame the opposition cannot— is a great shame the opposition cannot find within themselves to support— cannot find within themselves to support what i think is a balanced approach. — support what i think is a balanced approach, one that recognises that covid _ approach, one that recognises that covid has _ approach, one that recognises that covid has not gone away and we cannot _ covid has not gone away and we cannot throw caution to the winds. given— cannot throw caution to the winds. given everything else he has said, why is he keeping the bureaucratic and irritating passenger locator form when the rest of europe can already travel freely by showing a vaccine certificate? ads,

already travel freely by showing a vaccine certificate?— already travel freely by showing a vaccine certificate? a welcome call for liberty from _ vaccine certificate? a welcome call for liberty from the _ vaccine certificate? a welcome call for liberty from the opposition - for liberty from the opposition benches, _ for liberty from the opposition benches, but i can tell him we already— benches, but i can tell him we already have one of the most open travel— already have one of the most open travel arrangements, already have one of the most open travelarrangements, systems already have one of the most open travel arrangements, systems in the world, _ travel arrangements, systems in the world, and _ travel arrangements, systems in the world, and the passenger locator form, _ world, and the passenger locator form. i_ world, and the passenger locator form, i understand his grievance against — form, i understand his grievance against it. — form, i understand his grievance against it, we are reviewing it by easter — against it, we are reviewing it by easter. , . , against it, we are reviewing it by easter. , ., , ., ., , against it, we are reviewing it by easter. , ., ., easter. great news our freedoms are bein: easter. great news our freedoms are being restored- _ easter. great news our freedoms are being restored. can _ easter. great news our freedoms are being restored. can the _ easter. great news our freedoms are being restored. can the prime - being restored. can the prime minister bring that same focus in government in innovation on this topic to vanquish the cost of living crisis so people have more money to enjoy the freedoms? you crisis so people have more money to enjoy the freedoms?— enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr seaker. enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr speaker- we _ enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr speaker. we do _ enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr speaker. we do not _ enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr speaker. we do not know - enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr speaker. we do not know how- enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr. speaker. we do not know how well enjoy the freedoms? you bet, mr - speaker. we do not know how well the vaccine works — speaker. we do not know how well the vaccine works on _ speaker. we do not know how well the| vaccine works on immunocompromised people and they and loved ones will rightly be extremely worried. as the honourable memberfor

rightly be extremely worried. as the honourable member for leeds central raised, delays in getting test results and delays in access to anti—virals, can we allow them to have a supply of anti—virals at home, because if pharmaceutical intervention save lives, let's make sure they can access them. brute intervention save lives, let's make sure they can access them. we have already secured _ sure they can access them. we have already secured more _ sure they can access them. we have already secured more anti-virals - sure they can access them. we have | already secured more anti-virals and already secured more anti—virals and therapeutics per head than any other country— therapeutics per head than any other country in _ therapeutics per head than any other country in europe. what we need to do is _ country in europe. what we need to do is ensure — country in europe. what we need to do is ensure that those who are extremely— do is ensure that those who are extremely vulnerable do have access to them _ extremely vulnerable do have access to them and 1.3 million of them have already— to them and 1.3 million of them have already been sent tests.— already been sent tests. whilst the threat from — already been sent tests. whilst the threat from covid _ already been sent tests. whilst the threat from covid has _ already been sent tests. whilst the threat from covid has changed - already been sent tests. whilst the i threat from covid has changed thanks to the outstanding vaccination led by my honourable friend the prime minister, he will know the effects on local hospitals will last for years. does he agree now is the right time to invest in upgrades to

hospitals like scunthorpe? triage right time to invest in upgrades to hospitals like scunthorpe?- hospitals like scunthorpe? now is exactl the hospitals like scunthorpe? now is exactly the right _ hospitals like scunthorpe? now is exactly the right time _ hospitals like scunthorpe? now is exactly the right time to - hospitals like scunthorpe? now is exactly the right time to invest. hospitals like scunthorpe? now is exactly the right time to invest in | exactly the right time to invest in hospitals — exactly the right time to invest in hospitals like scunthorpe across the country _ hospitals like scunthorpe across the country i_ hospitals like scunthorpe across the country. i cannot make a commitment to the _ country. i cannot make a commitment to the particular project she described, but it is the kind of project. — described, but it is the kind of project, 48 of which as you know we are progressing across the country. can i_ are progressing across the country. can i welcome the fact we are having restrictions lifted and i hope the prime minister will engage with the health minister in northern ireland to ensure the same measures are exercised in northern ireland. the prime minister said that it is important we get confidence back. we have lived through two years of fear being instilled in the population. can he tell us what tactics he now intends to engage in to ensure

confidence is restored so people can get back to work, into the shops and restaurants in back doing things that make life enjoyable? that make life en'oyable? perhaps i can beain that make life en'oyable? perhaps i can begin by — that make life enjoyable? perhaps i can begin by echoing _ that make life enjoyable? perhaps i can begin by echoing condolences l that make life enjoyable? perhaps i l can begin by echoing condolences for the dup_ can begin by echoing condolences for the dup mla and mr speaker, i agree wholly— the dup mla and mr speaker, i agree wholly with his sentiments. we need people _ wholly with his sentiments. we need people to _ wholly with his sentiments. we need people to get their confidence back. what i _ people to get their confidence back. what i think people can do, they can set an— what i think people can do, they can set an example. they can go to work. going _ set an example. they can go to work. going to _ set an example. they can go to work. going to work, wait and see... go to work— going to work, wait and see... go to work mr— going to work, wait and see... go to work mr speaker. i going to work, wait and see... go to work mr speaker.— going to work, wait and see... go to work mr speaker. i welcome what he has to say today- _ work mr speaker. i welcome what he has to say today. it _ work mr speaker. i welcome what he has to say today. it will _ work mr speaker. i welcome what he has to say today. it will cheer - work mr speaker. i welcome what he has to say today. it will cheer the - has to say today. it will cheer the prime minister. and say to him that the comment of the leader of the opposition the government had no plan to deal with this was destroyed

by the member for leeds central who pointed out that anti—viral therapeutics were incredibly effective, 95% effective against this disease. can the prime minister confirm that we have 2.75 courses —— million courses of these therapeutics in britain? i million courses of these therapeutics in britain? i cannot confirm that. _ therapeutics in britain? i cannot confirm that. we _ therapeutics in britain? i cannot confirm that. we have _ therapeutics in britain? i cannot confirm that. we have twice - therapeutics in britain? i cannot confirm that. we have twice the j confirm that. we have twice the amount — confirm that. we have twice the amount. ' ., , ., ,, amount. 4.9 million doses. thank ou. amount. 4.9 million doses. thank you- living _ amount. 4.9 million doses. thank you. living with _ amount. 4.9 million doses. thank you. living with covid _ amount. 4.9 million doses. thank you. living with covid does - amount. 4.9 million doses. thank you. living with covid does not. amount. 4.9 million doses. thank. you. living with covid does not mean ignoring it and he will be aware of lifting restrictions today flies in the face of advice from many nhs leaders and including the bma and world health organisation. saying everyone should take personal responsibility while taking away the means that will allow them to take

personal responsibility is utterly perverse. what would he say to my constituents, particularly those clinically extremely vulnerable, for whom his freedom day is a day of fear and loss of freedom? and would he clarify his response because it is notjust he clarify his response because it is not just an he clarify his response because it is notjust an issue of free testing for people in care homes but at the very least for that almost 7 million carers up and down the country. just on that. carers up and down the country. just on that- she — carers up and down the country. just on that. she should wait for her right— on that. she should wait for her right honourable friend from kingston and surbiton. on the clinically— kingston and surbiton. on the clinically vulnerable, it is important to remember and continue to have _ important to remember and continue to have through the pandemic to look after them _ to have through the pandemic to look after them with therapeutics we can, with vaccines where appropriate. the house _ with vaccines where appropriate. the house knows the shielding programme ended _ house knows the shielding programme ended in— house knows the shielding programme ended in september. what people need to recognise with the extremely vulnerable is we should treat them

with cautionjust as vulnerable is we should treat them with caution just as anybody with any respiratory disease should treat the clinically extremely vulnerable with caution and act with responsibility. i with caution and act with responsibility.— with caution and act with res-onsibili . , ., , responsibility. i fully endorse the prime minister's _ responsibility. i fully endorse the prime minister's statement, - responsibility. i fully endorse the prime minister's statement, a i prime minister's statement, a significant step forward. but whilst wanting to get confidence back into the country people want consistency so they can plan ahead. to that end, where he look at what we do with schools and education generally, particularly around making them a central part of national infrastructure so any future occasions when we might consider restrictions, schools, nurseries, colleges and universities are at the back of the queue so we make sure the loss learning we saw does not happen again? he the loss learning we saw does not happen again?— the loss learning we saw does not ha-nenaaain? ,., . happen again? he makes an excellent noint. that happen again? he makes an excellent point- that is — happen again? he makes an excellent point. that is why _ happen again? he makes an excellent point. that is why we _ happen again? he makes an excellent point. that is why we are _ happen again? he makes an excellent point. that is why we are ensuring i point. that is why we are ensuring schoots _ point. that is why we are ensuring schools are — point. that is why we are ensuring schools are able to be as covid secure — schools are able to be as covid secure as —

schools are able to be as covid secure as possible, sending out 350,000 — secure as possible, sending out 350,000 c02 monitors, 9000 air cteaning _ 350,000 c02 monitors, 9000 air cleaning units and other steps we are taking — cleaning units and other steps we are taking to protect schools. it is important — are taking to protect schools. it is important we should get the message over to _ important we should get the message over to everybody that schools are safe _ over to everybody that schools are safe 0ne — over to everybody that schools are safe. one of the many things the leader— safe. one of the many things the leader of— safe. one of the many things the leader of the opposition got wrong. the prime — leader of the opposition got wrong. the prime minister in outlining his reckless plan for living with covid announced he is relying on the public to apply personal responsibility when it comes to the virus. does this apply to the prime minister? she virus. does this apply to the prime minister? ,, , , ., ,, minister? she says it is a reckless nlan. minister? she says it is a reckless pian- that — minister? she says it is a reckless pian- that was — minister? she says it is a reckless plan. that was the _ minister? she says it is a reckless plan. that was the word _ minister? she says it is a reckless plan. that was the word the i minister? she says it is a reckless plan. that was the word the right | plan. that was the word the right honourable gentleman the leader of the opposition used to describe the july 19— the opposition used to describe the july 19 openings. i wonder if she still believes that. i july 19 openings. i wonder if she still believes that.— july 19 openings. i wonder if she still believes that. i will take the prime minister's _ still believes that. i will take the prime minister's statement i still believes that. i will take the prime minister's statement as i still believes that. i will take the | prime minister's statement as his application tojoin the prime minister's statement as his application to join the covid recovery group. he is very welcome.

on all the lockdowns and restrictions, they have been implemented using the public health act, some by ministerial decree, only approved by parliament retrospectively. if we are to believe next time will be different, why doesn't this plan include proposals to change the public health act to make ministers more accountable to parliament now, rather than kicking it into the long grass waiting for the results of the covid public inquiry? i grass waiting for the results of the covid public inquiry?— grass waiting for the results of the covid public inquiry? i know he is a staunch thatcherite _ covid public inquiry? i know he is a staunch thatcherite and _ covid public inquiry? i know he is a staunch thatcherite and will i covid public inquiry? i know he is a staunch thatcherite and will recall| staunch thatcherite and will recall margaret — staunch thatcherite and will recall margaret thatcher promulgated the public _ margaret thatcher promulgated the public health act in 1984. it has served — public health act in 1984. it has served the country well. i will consider— served the country well. i will consider the point that he makes, it is a valuable — consider the point that he makes, it is a valuable one, but i think it might— is a valuable one, but i think it might be — is a valuable one, but i think it might be something the inquiry will want to—

might be something the inquiry will want to consider themselves. with 38,000 new _ want to consider themselves. with 38,000 new covid _ want to consider themselves. tn 38,000 new covid cases today, want to consider themselves. try 38,000 new covid cases today, can the prime minister explain which public health experts advised abandoning testing and isolation and when will that advice be published? i thank her. cases are falling and hospitalisations are falling. the number— hospitalisations are falling. the number of excess deaths from omicron is in negative _ number of excess deaths from omicron is in negative territory. we consult a range _ is in negative territory. we consult a range of— is in negative territory. we consult a range of scientific opinion including sage and clearly others and the — including sage and clearly others and the decisions are for ministers and the decisions are for ministers and we _ and the decisions are for ministers and we take them.— and we take them. unlike the opposition. — and we take them. unlike the opposition, the _ and we take them. unlike the opposition, the prime - and we take them. unlike the | opposition, the prime minister and we take them. unlike the i opposition, the prime minister has all the big decisions right through the pandemic. will he agree with me we should never return to a full

lockdown and any isolation should be targeted for the clinically vulnerable, the elderly and the labour front bench. vulnerable, the elderly and the labourfront bench. mn; vulnerable, the elderly and the labour front bench. my honourable friend has put _ labour front bench. my honourable friend has put it _ labour front bench. my honourable friend has put it brilliantly - labour front bench. my honourable friend has put it brilliantly and i friend has put it brilliantly and succinctly and i have nothing to add _ succinctly and i have nothing to add. , , , succinctly and i have nothing to add. , _., succinctly and i have nothing to add. , , , succinctly and i have nothing to add. , , ., add. liberty is always better than the alternative. _ add. liberty is always better than the alternative. as _ add. liberty is always better than the alternative. as long - add. liberty is always better than the alternative. as long as i the alternative. as long as everybody can share in that liberty equally. the anxiety for some, especially those representing poor communities, is that if you are symptomatic and free testing has ended, you might have to pay £59, £119, for a pcr test and on top of that, if you do the responsible thing and stay away from work, you might be in a job where you will not get any money at all, or get pathetic sick pay. don't we have to make sure, if we are going to make sure everyone shares in the liberty

equally, the poorest in britain get a better deal? he equally, the poorest in britain get a better deal?— equally, the poorest in britain get a better deal? w , ., ., a better deal? he makes an important noint but i a better deal? he makes an important point but i think— a better deal? he makes an important point but i think overwhelmingly, i point but i think overwhelmingly, first of— point but i think overwhelmingly, first of att— point but i think overwhelmingly, first of all there will be statutory sick pay — first of all there will be statutory sick pay available. but secondly, i think— sick pay available. but secondly, i think he _ sick pay available. but secondly, i think he underestimates people's sense _ think he underestimates people's sense of— think he underestimates people's sense of responsibility, and also people's— sense of responsibility, and also people's willingness to do the right thin- people's willingness to do the right thing by— people's willingness to do the right thing by others. i people's willingness to do the right thing by others-— thing by others. i welcome what he set out today _ thing by others. i welcome what he set out today and _ thing by others. i welcome what he set out today and i _ thing by others. i welcome what he set out today and i welcome i thing by others. i welcome what he set out today and i welcome his i set out today and i welcome his commitment to scunthorpe hospital especially. and the continuation of the survey not least because my mum and dad have taken part and it has given them something to do during covid rather than text me constantly. on testing, as someone who works in the nhs, i like to get my test before i book on duty. it makes me feel safer going into care homes and elsewhere. can he set out

clearly what the situation will be for testing of nhs workers? flan clearly what the situation will be for testing of nhs workers? can i thank my honourable _ for testing of nhs workers? can i thank my honourable friend i for testing of nhs workers? can i thank my honourable friend for his service _ thank my honourable friend for his service in— thank my honourable friend for his service in the nhs throughout the pandemic — service in the nhs throughout the pandemic. i have seen him in action. also to _ pandemic. i have seen him in action. also to say— pandemic. i have seen him in action. also to say on — pandemic. i have seen him in action. also to say on his point about the nhs, _ also to say on his point about the nhs, that— also to say on his point about the nhs, that will be for the nhs to determine themselves. the prime minister mentioned _ determine themselves. the prime minister mentioned this _ determine themselves. the prime minister mentioned this afternoon determine themselves. the prime l minister mentioned this afternoon it is about personal responsibility. it is about personal responsibility. it is about personal responsibility. it is about our personal responsibility not to inadvertently pass on the virus to someone vulnerable. and about our responsibility to do the right thing if we have symptoms and if we have covid and about our responsibility to think about neighbours, friends, carers, people who need the restrictions lifted. what does the prime minister say to vulnerable constituents who are concerned this personal responsibility he wants us to take

may inadvertently lead to them catching covid? i may inadvertently lead to them catching covid?— may inadvertently lead to them catching covid? i thank her. she is riaht catching covid? i thank her. she is ri . ht to catching covid? i thank her. she is right to focus _ catching covid? i thank her. she is right to focus on _ catching covid? i thank her. she is right to focus on personal- right to focus on personal responsibility but the other part of the strategy is the vaccinations. this is— the strategy is the vaccinations. this is a — the strategy is the vaccinations. this is a vaccine led strategy and that enables us in our to rely on people's— that enables us in our to rely on people's personal responsibility as well. ., . ., people's personal responsibility as well. ., , ., _ well. can i welcome the statement by the prime minister _ well. can i welcome the statement by the prime minister and _ well. can i welcome the statement by the prime minister and the _ well. can i welcome the statement by the prime minister and the way i well. can i welcome the statement by the prime minister and the way he i the prime minister and the way he set out the argument with regards to living with covid and restoring freedoms and at the same time with regards to protecting public health. the key advance we have is we have the mapping exercise from vaccination centres in place such as in medway. will he also thanked the excellent volunteers and nhs staff in medway and look at their bid for a new hospital in my constituency? i a new hospital in my constituency? i have to be careful what i say. we

want _ have to be careful what i say. we want to _ have to be careful what i say. we want to build as many hospitals as we can _ want to build as many hospitals as we can i— want to build as many hospitals as we can. i want to thank medway volunteers— we can. i want to thank medway volunteers and everybody still invotved — volunteers and everybody still involved in vaccination campaign. there _ involved in vaccination campaign. there are — involved in vaccination campaign. there are still millions who have not yet — there are still millions who have not yet had their booster and i urge them _ not yet had their booster and i urge them to— not yet had their booster and i urge them to get it. it is not yet had their booster and i urge them to get it— them to get it. it is lovely to have them to get it. it is lovely to have the prime — them to get it. it is lovely to have the prime minister _ them to get it. it is lovely to have the prime minister with _ them to get it. it is lovely to have the prime minister with us - them to get it. it is lovely to have the prime minister with us today | them to get it. it is lovely to have i the prime minister with us today not filling in a questionnaire are having busy meetings. can he confirm or deny the reports there is a sell—off plan for the taxi manufacturing centre that has been founded on the values and mission of people like doctor sara gilbert who invented the astrazeneca vaccination? there are rumours going about that this public private enterprise will be sold off to the private sector. will he confirm or deny, what is the government's intention, because the essence of the reason we were ahead with the

vaccine was the excellence and values of those wonderful british scientists who worked their socks off to get this. do notjust scientists who worked their socks off to get this. do not just sell scientists who worked their socks off to get this. do notjust sell it off. i off to get this. do not 'ust sell it off. ., ., ., ., off. i might add that one of the most important _ off. i might add that one of the most important factors - off. i might add that one of the most important factors in i off. i might add that one of the most important factors in the l most important factors in the success— most important factors in the success of the vaccine roll—out was the private — success of the vaccine roll—out was the private sector. it was private—sector investment that led to the _ private—sector investment that led to the astrazeneca vaccine, pfizer vaccines _ to the astrazeneca vaccine, pfizer vaccines and we will make sure we work— vaccines and we will make sure we work with— vaccines and we will make sure we work with the private sector and to continue _ work with the private sector and to continue to— work with the private sector and to continue to develop this country's indigenous ability to manufacture mrna— indigenous ability to manufacture mrna and other vaccines. keeping healthy people _ mrna and other vaccines. keeping healthy people at _ mrna and other vaccines. keeping healthy people at home _ mrna and other vaccines. keeping healthy people at home and i mrna and other vaccines. keeping l healthy people at home and isolation has had an impact on businesses and important life events like weddings, so i welcome the changes to trust the british people and allow people

to plan with confidence. yet we all have constituents who are immunocompromised and vulnerable like the woman who wrote to me, the opposition benches do not have a monopoly on compassion, we care about these people. will he reassure these people they will get the support they need and the timing is right and there is no point in waiting for these changes? she is rinht. we waiting for these changes? she is right- we will _ waiting for these changes? she is right. we will make _ waiting for these changes? she is right. we will make sure - waiting for these changes? she is right. we will make sure those i right. we will make sure those people — right. we will make sure those people get notjust the anti—virals, but the _ people get notjust the anti—virals, but the tests they need. that people get notjust the anti-virals, but the tests they need.— people get notjust the anti-virals, but the tests they need. that is the noint i but the tests they need. that is the point i would _ but the tests they need. that is the point i would like _ but the tests they need. that is the point i would like to _ but the tests they need. that is the point i would like to make. - but the tests they need. that is the point i would like to make. we i but the tests they need. that is the | point i would like to make. we have learned the 7 million carers will not get test and nhs staff will have to be found within existing budgets thus making waiting list more precarious. eligibility for anti—virals is it being high—risk, or testing positive for which people

will have to pay. can he confirm thatis will have to pay. can he confirm that is the case? if will have to pay. can he confirm that is the case?— that is the case? if she waits a little bit longer _ that is the case? if she waits a little bit longer she _ that is the case? if she waits a little bit longer she will- that is the case? if she waits a little bit longer she will get i that is the case? if she waits a little bit longer she will get a l little bit longer she will get a breakdown of how we propose to support — breakdown of how we propose to support the most vulnerable, but we will support them as we have done throughout the pandemic.- throughout the pandemic. experts will ara ue throughout the pandemic. experts will argue whether _ throughout the pandemic. experts will argue whether we _ throughout the pandemic. experts will argue whether we made i throughout the pandemic. experts will argue whether we made the i throughout the pandemic. experts i will argue whether we made the right choices and some of us would have liked a lighter touch. one thing is certain and we know from independent testimony that but for his freedom loving instincts, these lockdowns would have been longer and much worse with consequences for the young people's mental health. can we rely on the prime minister in the future to rule out any more knockdowns in the coming decade while he remains prime minister? what you can rely on is this

government will take the tough decisions to protect the british people — decisions to protect the british people and we will have a vaccine and science led approach to dealing with the _ and science led approach to dealing with the pandemic. the and science led approach to dealing with the pandemic.— with the pandemic. the prime minister has _ with the pandemic. the prime minister has come _ with the pandemic. the prime minister has come to - with the pandemic. the prime minister has come to the i with the pandemic. the prime i minister has come to the house unable to state whether carers in the community is visiting home after home in one day, often of older people and those clinically extremely vulnerable will still have access to free tests in order to keep themselves and their patients say. he has said that testing for nhs staff will be a matter for the nhs. surely he can do better than this. even the nhs and carers need to be able to plan ahead for what is coming. will he come clean today about his intentions?— coming. will he come clean today about his intentions? what we are doinn is about his intentions? what we are doing is moving — about his intentions? what we are doing is moving away _ about his intentions? what we are doing is moving away from - about his intentions? what we are doing is moving away from a i doing is moving away from a systematic mass testing of large numbers— systematic mass testing of large numbers of people which is no longer

the right— numbers of people which is no longer the right way to deal with omicron, to a surveillance led approach. of course _ to a surveillance led approach. of course we — to a surveillance led approach. of course we will continue to look after _ course we will continue to look after the — course we will continue to look after the most vulnerable and those who need _ after the most vulnerable and those who need it. studio: we will come away from who need it. — studio: we will come away from that debate in the house of commons. it follows the statement by the prime minister where he announced as expected that the government intends to remove all remaining legal restrictions to deal with covid in england from thursday. mrjohnson said that the pandemic is not over, but that we now have passed the peak, and he said levels of immunity are high and deaths are low, which is why he and the government are able to make the decision. we can go over to westminster and our correspondent in the lobby of the house. the announcement as expected, run us through the main points and

through some of the areas where there are still questions because those became obvious in the debate. i think the main changes are as follows. from thursday, this week in england, the legal requirement to self—isolate will end. alongside that, support payments to self—isolate will end, something thatis self—isolate will end, something that is politically controversial because keir starmer accused boris johnson effectively of taking away the tools people need in order to self—isolate and this will hit the most vulnerable. the other announcement was the ending of free asymptomatic testing for the public asymptomatic testing for the public as the prime minister put it in england from the 1st of april. some testing will be free. he said he would set out the details in march but older people and people in high—risk settings will still get free testing. for the public, that will go from the of april.

keir starmer saying the government attitude to covid is now ignorance is bliss. of course we can't have free testing forever but for the time being we should have access to free test, a similar point made by caroline lucas of the green party and ed davey, talking about carers caring for vulnerable people at home, it's a requirement to make sure people are safe to take a test and they should not be charged for it, calling for a rethink that said, plenty support from conservative benches for ending the legal requirement for self isolation and saying personal responsibility from now on will be far more important than state intervention. there are still questions being asked about the extent of free testing, but something else to be settled, we were talking earlier today about the cabinet meeting being postponed, and it now looks like the existing testing regime including four nhs

staff whether they will get free testing is yet to be confirmed, and if it is the case it will come out of the hs budget and the chancellor hasn't given the health secretary some of the extra cash she has been demanding over the previous few days. demanding over the previous few da s. ., , , demanding over the previous few da 5. ., , , . ., days. that is interesting. what about the timing _ days. that is interesting. what about the timing of— days. that is interesting. what about the timing of the - about the timing of the announcement? it's obviously a big moment for england, but the snp's leader in westminster, ian blackford, says this decision was taken by a prime minister in crisis. is this been brought forward? he said is this been brought forward? he: said certainly it was a measure of panic from the prime minister that he has done this. we know he has been under pressure from his own backbenchers and there has been criticism over so—called partygate. he previewed his own thoughts ten days ago at prime minister's questions, and restrictions have been lifted one month earlier than anticipated. some might question the timing. keir starmer has called for the scientific evidence for lifting

of restrictions to be published. ian blackford has said lifting the restrictions now flew in the face of advice from the world health organization and others in the scientific community. there is no guarantee the scientific advice will be published but it has been a case that in recent sage documents, the scientific advisers, they pointed out that ending the legal requirement to self—isolate would almost certainly push cases up by as much as 45%. ian blackford had another complaint to make, and that was that if devolved administrations in scotland, northern ireland and wales decided they wanted to keep a testing regime going longer than in england then they would not have the resources to do so. borisjohnson said they could find it in their own budgets and it has been confirmed by downing street that if a different political decision over testing is taken by devolved administrations, there will be no extra cash to allow

them to extend testing beyond england, where free testing for the general public ends on april the 1st. ., . ., ., ,, general public ends on april the 1st. ., . ., ., ~' ., 1st. iain watson, thank you from westminster. _ 1st. iain watson, thank you from westminster. we _ 1st. iain watson, thank you from westminster. we can _ 1st. iain watson, thank you from westminster. we can speak i 1st. iain watson, thank you from westminster. we can speak nowj 1st. iain watson, thank you from i westminster. we can speak now to paul hunter, professor of medicine at the university of east anglia. good afternoon. you were listening to the statement and some of the debate. what did you make of it? i debate. what did you make of it? i think some of it we were expecting and some of it is welcome. the big area that we haven't really had any good information on is what we will do about more vulnerable citizens because there is still a great deal of uncertainty around that. it is very good that we are going to be offering booster vaccines in the coming weeks to people over 75 and people who are immune suppressed. they are the people who had their booster vaccines first in september and october, so you can expect the protection from that to have waned

somewhat. so the boosterfor that age group is very welcome at the moment and follows the jcvi age group is very welcome at the moment and follows thejcvi advice. but beyond that, clearly there are a number of issues surrounding more vulnerable people that we haven't heard about. we have heard a little bit about an anti—viral task force but the question is, when will we be able to offer anti—virals to particularly vulnerable people? already we have a set of people we can give anti—virals to but it is quite small compared to the larger number of people who are at increased risk from covid so i think this is an issue we need to address. we need to address the provision of testing for our more vulnerable people, particularly, especially, those we would ultimately offer anti—virals too, that they can have rapid testing so we can get

anti—virals to them very quickly because most anti—virals, the sooner you start with them the more likely you start with them the more likely you are able to reduce hospitalisation.- you are able to reduce hospitalisation. you are able to reduce hos-italisation. . ., ., hospitalisation. we did hear a auestion hospitalisation. we did hear a question about _ hospitalisation. we did hear a question about anti-virals i hospitalisation. we did hear a | question about anti-virals and question about anti—virals and whether people who are vulnerable ought to be given a supply of them so that in a sense you are getting the treatment to them as quickly as possible. the treatment to them as quickly as nossible. ., ., , , ., , , the treatment to them as quickly as nossible. ., ., , , , ., possible. yeah, that is probably a nood idea possible. yeah, that is probably a good idea and _ possible. yeah, that is probably a good idea and it _ possible. yeah, that is probably a good idea and it depends - possible. yeah, that is probably a good idea and it depends on i possible. yeah, that is probably a good idea and it depends on howl possible. yeah, that is probably a i good idea and it depends on how many anti—virals we've got because if we distribute, if we've got enough to go around then fine, but if we haven't then it might be a bit premature. i think the issue of ending self isolation requirements, i think is probably the right thing to do, although i personally would have preferred to wait until we were into the spring. have preferred to wait until we were into the spring-— into the spring. another four weeks orso? into the spring. another four weeks or so? yes. — into the spring. another four weeks

or so? yes, absolutely. _ into the spring. another four weeks or so? yes, absolutely. but - into the spring. another four weeks or so? yes, absolutely. but the i or so? yes, absolutely. but the value of self _ or so? yes, absolutely. but the value of self isolation, - or so? yes, absolutely. but the value of self isolation, i - value of self isolation, i think, has been changing in recent months. early in the outbreak it had a very important role. these days we are identifying a smaller proportion of infected people. the latest ons data suggested we are only identifying around a quarter of infection is now so that for every person we know who may need to self—isolate, there are three that we don't. so the value is getting less and of course we know the difficulties of staffing we had in january. the difficulties of staffing we had injanuary. but overall, some good bits and some areas of concern and need to work on, i think.— bits and some areas of concern and need to work on, i think. there was a noint need to work on, i think. there was a point put — need to work on, i think. there was a point put to _ need to work on, i think. there was a point put to the _ need to work on, i think. there was a point put to the prime _ need to work on, i think. there was a point put to the prime minister. a point put to the prime minister that people are now being urged to take personal responsibility, or they will be from thursday onwards, and yet testing, the means by which you find out whether you are positive or not, the free testing is being taken away from people. is

there a contradiction there, do you think? ., , , , . think? ultimately, yes. but if we are not think? ultimately, yes. but if we are rrot going _ think? ultimately, yes. but if we are rrot going to _ think? ultimately, yes. but if we are not going to be _ think? ultimately, yes. but if we are not going to be requiring i are not going to be requiring isolation, and i think there are many people who are positive for covid who do not really need to be isolating as we move through the rest of the year, then why are we testing? i think the value, the main important aspect of testing as far as i was concerned, was the commitment to continue with the ons study because this is probably the gold standard in terms of knowing what's going on in the epidemic and knowing whether things like vaccines are working as well as we would want and where we are having problems in and where we are having problems in a way that the ordinary testing, the testing that gets done in the pillow one and pillar two testing gives an indication of but isn't quite as reliable. i indication of but isn't quite as reliable. ., ., , ., , reliable. i wonder how you interpret

the idea of taking _ reliable. i wonder how you interpret the idea of taking personal- the idea of taking personal responsibility. you might be positive but asymptomatic, so then you will not know. if you are feeling unwell, should you just stay at home? i feeling unwell, should you 'ust stay at home? ~ , , ~ feeling unwell, should you 'ust stay at home? ~' , , ,, ., at home? i think, yes. i think that a- nlies at home? i think, yes. i think that applies more _ at home? i think, yes. i think that applies more broadly _ at home? i think, yes. i think that applies more broadly than - at home? i think, yes. i think that applies more broadly than just i applies more broadly thanjust covid. if you are quite unwell and have a really bad cold or a flu—like illness then you shouldn't really be going into work, even before covid. that applies around covid just as much as it applies to influenza and other respiratory infections. looking at the latest data we have got, covid now isn't generally more lethal than most seasonal influenza. so there is a discord there, if we are isolating people with covid and not isolating people with influenza then there is some discord there.

but i absolutely, if you have a bad upper respiratory tract viral infection, you should not be going to work, whether or not it is covid. very good to talk to you, professor paul hunter from the university of east anglia. as we have been hearing, from thursday the legal requirement to self—isolate after a positive covid test will be removed in england. from april 1st, the government will end free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the public — but will continue to provide free symptomatic tests to older age groups and the most vulnerable. here's some more of what the prime minister had to say: we are working with retailers to make sure everybody who wants to can buy a test. from april one we will also no longer recommend the use of voluntary covid status certification, although the nhs app will continue to allow people to indicate their vaccination status

for international travel. the government will also expire all temporary provisions of the coronavirus act. of the original 40, 20 have already expired and 16 will expire on the 24th of march. the last four, relating to innovations in public service, will expire six months later after we have made those improvements permanent through other means. second, we will continue to protect the most vulnerable with targeted vaccines and treatment. the uk government has procured enough doses of vaccine to anticipate a wide range of possible jcvi recommendations. and today we are taking further action to guard against a possible resurgence of the virus. accepting jcvi advice for a new spring booster offered to those aged 75 and older, to older care

home residents and those over 12 who are immunosuppressed. the uk is also leading the way on anti—virals and therapeutics with our anti—virals task force securing a supply of almost 5 million, more per head than any other country in europe. third, sage advice there is considerable uncertainty about the future pathway of the pandemic and their may be new resurgence and new variant sense is possible they might be worse than omicron. so we will maintain our resilience to manage and respond to these risks, including our world leading ons survey, which will allow us to continue tracking the virus in granular detail, with regional and age breakdown is helping us to spot surges as and where they happen and

our laboratory networks will help us understand the evolution of the virus and identify any changes in characteristics. we will prepare and maintain our capabilities to ramp up testing. we will continue to support other countries in developing their own surveillance capabilities because a new variant can emerge anywhere. and we will meet our commitment to donate 100 million vaccine doses byjune as part of our agreement at the uk's g7 summit to provide a billion doses to vaccinate the world over the next year. labour leader sir keir starmer says huge efforts have been made in the last two years — and the country wouldn't be here today without the heroism of key workers including those in the nhs. he said the pm promised a plan for living with covid — but all we've got today is "chaos and disarray". an approach that seems to think that

living with covid seems simply ignoring it. this morning he couldn't even persuade his own health secretary to agree the plan, so what confidence can the public have that this is the right approach? mr speaker, let me be clear, the labour party does not want to see restrictions in place for a moment longer than necessary. but, mr speaker, we have to take the public with us, and that requires clarity. public with us, and that requires clari . , ., �* public with us, and that requires clari. ,., clarity. order. if you can't show the respect _ clarity. order. if you can't show the respect you _ clarity. order. if you can't show the respect you show _ clarity. order. if you can't show the respect you show the i clarity. order. if you can't showj the respect you show the prime minister— the respect you show the prime minister to the leader of the opposition, if you don't wish to be in here, _ opposition, if you don't wish to be in here, there is plenty of room outside — in here, there is plenty of room outside the chamber and i expect you can use _ outside the chamber and i expect you can use it— outside the chamber and i expect you can use it and i will help you on your— can use it and i will help you on your way — can use it and i will help you on your way. silence. can use it and i will help you on yourway. silence. keir starmer. we your way. silence. keir starmer. we have to yourway. silence. keir starmer. have to take yourway. silence. keir starmer. - have to take the public with us and that requires clarity about why decisions are being made. so will the prime minister published the scientific evidence behind his decision to remove the legal requirement to self—isolate,

including the impact on the clinically extremely vulnerable, for whom lockdown has never ended? having come this far i know the british people continue to act responsibly and they will do the right thing, testing and isolating if positive. what i can't understand is why the prime minister is taking away the tools that will help them to do that. free tests can't continue forever but if you are 2—1 up continue forever but if you are 2—1 up with ten minutes to go, you don't substitute for one of your best defenders. the prime minister is also removing self isolation support payments that allow many people to isolate and weakening sick pay. these are decisions that will hit the lowest paid and the most insecure work the hardest. including care workers who got us through the toughest parts of the pandemic. it

is all very well advising workers to self—isolate, but that won't work unless all workers have security of knowing they can afford to do so. the labour leader sir keir starmer. next to him you could see the labour health spokesman wes streeting. he is with our political correspondent ian watson, who joins is with our political correspondent ian watson, whojoins me know from the house of commons. the ian watson, who joins me know from the house of commons.— the house of commons. the hash shadow health _ the house of commons. the hash shadow health secretary - the house of commons. the hash shadow health secretaryjoins i the house of commons. the hash i shadow health secretaryjoins me now. we had from the prime minister stressing personal responsibility. he is putting resources into surveillance to keep on top of the virus rather than mass testing. wes streeting, we heard labour leader keir starmer saying you can't have free testing going on forever and he doesn't specify how long labour would maintain a free testing regime. how long do you think free lateralflow regime. how long do you think free lateral flow test should be available?— lateral flow test should be available? . ., available? we said to review the situation ahead _ available? we said to review the situation ahead of— available? we said to review the situation ahead of the _ available? we said to review the situation ahead of the summer. | available? we said to review the i situation ahead of the summer. this week— situation ahead of the summer. this week we _ situation ahead of the summer. this week we have seen nhs and business

leaders. _ week we have seen nhs and business leaders, school leaders all expressed concern about the end of free testing. i don't understand how the prime _ free testing. i don't understand how the prime minister can say people should _ the prime minister can say people should take personal responsibility if he is _ should take personal responsibility if he is removing the very tool that tells them — if he is removing the very tool that tells them their status, whether or not they— tells them their status, whether or not they are infections. and also, the brass— not they are infections. and also, the brass neck of the prime minister. _ the brass neck of the prime minister, lecturing other people about— minister, lecturing other people about personal responsibility? what next? _ about personal responsibility? what next? vladimir putin issuing lectures _ next? vladimir putin issuing lectures on world peace? the brass neck of— lectures on world peace? the brass neck of the — lectures on world peace? the brass neck of the guy is something to behold — neck of the guy is something to behold i— neck of the guy is something to behold. i lost count of the amount of times— behold. i lost count of the amount of times he — behold. i lost count of the amount of times he talked about personal responsibility. i think people do want _ responsibility. i think people do want to— responsibility. i think people do want to take personal responsibility so give _ want to take personal responsibility so give them access to the tests that lets — so give them access to the tests that lets them know their status and tells them _ that lets them know their status and tells them whether or not they can visit grandparents and loved ones in care homes — visit grandparents and loved ones in care homes. testing is a vital tool. as we _ care homes. testing is a vital tool. as we have — care homes. testing is a vital tool. as we have said in the labour party, removing _ as we have said in the labour party, removing free testing at this point is like _ removing free testing at this point is like being 2—1 up ten minutes before — is like being 2—1 up ten minutes before the _ is like being 2—1 up ten minutes before the end of the game and removing — before the end of the game and removing a star defender. it is a stupid _ removing a star defender. it is a

stupid and — removing a star defender. it is a stupid and self—defeating thing to do. stupid and self—defeating thing to do tide_ stupid and self-defeating thing to do. ~ ., stupid and self-defeating thing to do. . ., ., ., do. we have had that football analon do. we have had that football analogy quite _ do. we have had that football analogy quite a _ do. we have had that football analogy quite a few— do. we have had that football analogy quite a few times. i do. we have had that football- analogy quite a few times. whether it's an own goal we will see. we will have free testing until april. when would we see restrictions removed? cabinet has been told today there have been no excess deaths because of omicron and the number of patients in icu is coming down so is there the danger you are painted by there the danger you are painted by the government as people who want to restrict freedom rather than give it back? iterate restrict freedom rather than give it back? ~ ., restrict freedom rather than give it back? . ., ., ., ., , ., , back? we are not having any of this. we published _ back? we are not having any of this. we published our _ back? we are not having any of this. we published our plan _ back? we are not having any of this. we published our plan on _ back? we are not having any of this. we published our plan on living i back? we are not having any of this. we published our plan on living well| we published our plan on living well with covid _ we published our plan on living well with covid in january. we published our plan on living well with covid injanuary. there we published our plan on living well with covid in january. there are well _ with covid in january. there are well recognised and practical things well recognised and practical things we can— well recognised and practical things we can do— well recognised and practical things we can do to live with the virus without — we can do to live with the virus without impacting on peoples lives, livelihoods and liberties. a good example — livelihoods and liberties. a good example is a sick pay, and this afternoon _ example is a sick pay, and this afternoon the prime minster announced he wasn't improving sick pay in _ announced he wasn't improving sick pay in the _ announced he wasn't improving sick pay in the way business leaders and trade _ pay in the way business leaders and trade union— pay in the way business leaders and trade union leaders have called for, but he _ trade union leaders have called for, but he is _ trade union leaders have called for, but he is actually making things worse — but he is actually making things worse. ventilation in schools, kids

in winter— worse. ventilation in schools, kids in winterare— worse. ventilation in schools, kids in winterare learning worse. ventilation in schools, kids in winter are learning in classrooms with windows open because he hasn't fixed ventilation. there are lots of things— fixed ventilation. there are lots of things we — fixed ventilation. there are lots of things we can do without impacting on peoples liberties and freedoms. we are _ on peoples liberties and freedoms. we are all— on peoples liberties and freedoms. we are all desperate to see the back of the _ we are all desperate to see the back of the things that have made our lives _ of the things that have made our lives miserable as a result of covid in the _ lives miserable as a result of covid in the last— lives miserable as a result of covid in the last couple of years but it means — in the last couple of years but it means having a proper plan and strategy— means having a proper plan and strategy and i think the prime minister— strategy and i think the prime minister fell short on those terms. politics _ minister fell short on those terms. politics is — minister fell short on those terms. politics is priorities. isn�*t minister fell short on those terms. politics is priorities.— politics is priorities. isn't it sim nl politics is priorities. isn't it simply the _ politics is priorities. isn't it simply the case _ politics is priorities. isn't it simply the case that i politics is priorities. isn't it simply the case that as i politics is priorities. isn't it simply the case that as the politics is priorities. isn't it - simply the case that as the shadow health secretary, if you aspire to become health secretary you have to make it to health secretary. that’s make it to health secretary. that's wh the make it to health secretary. that's why the defeat _ make it to health secretary. that's why the defeat to _ make it to health secretary. that's why the defeat to health _ make it to health secretary. that's why the defeat to health secretaryj why the defeat to health secretary suffered _ why the defeat to health secretary suffered today in negotiations with the treasury is very bad for the nhs _ the treasury is very bad for the nhs the — the treasury is very bad for the nhs. the prime minister can tell us if nhs _ nhs. the prime minister can tell us if nhs staff would get access to free testing at work and said it was a quest _ free testing at work and said it was a quest for— free testing at work and said it was a quest for the nhs, no doubt from the nhs _ a quest for the nhs, no doubt from the nhs budget. if borisjohnson says money is the issue to providing access— says money is the issue to providing access to _ says money is the issue to providing access to free test, why didn't he io access to free test, why didn't he go after— access to free test, why didn't he go after the billions of pounds

given— go after the billions of pounds given out— go after the billions of pounds given out in fraudulent loans, including _ given out in fraudulent loans, including from people who called themselves adolf hitler and mickey mouse _ themselves adolf hitler and mickey mouse. we can continue free testing up mouse. we can continue free testing up until— mouse. we can continue free testing up until the — mouse. we can continue free testing up untilthe summer. mouse. we can continue free testing up until the summer. they can do the i’ili'it up until the summer. they can do the right and _ up until the summer. they can do the right and responsible thing. what the prime — right and responsible thing. what the prime minister announced today is so self—defeating and will put a whole _ is so self—defeating and will put a whole new — is so self—defeating and will put a whole new dimension on april fool is one free _ whole new dimension on april fool is one free testing comes to an end. wes streeting, thank you very much. what's also interesting from today's debate, is that it is clear that if there is to be free testing for nhs workers, after that protracted tension between the treasury and department of health, it looks like that will have to come from the health service budget. that's something we learn today but there are other questions still to be asked, exactly who will be eligible for continued free testing when it ends for the general public in england from the 1st of april. ian

watson, thank you. and later this evening, the prime minister will be holding a news conference at downing street. he'll be joined by england's chief medical officer professor sir chris whitty, and the government's chief scientific officer sir patrick vallance. join us for full coverage at 7:00pm. while we have been on that news there has been breaking news from moscow where it is being reported that president putin is to make an address to the nation this evening. no details on what it is about. tensions have been simmering for months over ukraine. as soon as we have more we will bring it to you. in the meantime... western officials have said russia is continuing to build up its forces close to the border with ukraine despite discussions about a possible summit to defuse tensions. and in the past hour, ukraine has called for an urgent meeting of the un security council. it comes as president putin

tells his security council that ukraine is being used as a tool against russia, presenting a major and dangerous threat to his country. he made the remarks in a rare public gathering with his ministers and security officials. mr putin also asked the meeting to consider an appeal for recognition by the two breakaway regions of ukraine controlled by russian—backed separatists. storm franklin — the third named storm in a week — has brought heavy rain and strong winds to many parts of the uk. severe flooding in northern ireland, yorkshire and manchester have forced people to leave their homes for safety. a yellow weather warning for widespread strong winds has been in place for most of the uk, but has now been lifted. but there are still 154 flood warnings across england, wales and scotland. and the environment agency says heavy rain is likely to cause significant river flooding along the river severn for several days.

storm franklin comes days after storm eunice killed three people and left 1.4 million homes without power — 33,000 are still waiting to be reconnected. sanchia berg reports. the third major storm in less than a week, battering the coast of northern ireland this morning. storm franklin, like eunice and dudley, is driven by an active jet stream, a current of air, five miles above the earth. in mid wales, high winds and rain caused flooding. roger hicks went to check on his elderly mother in the village of llandinam. i came round to the back of the house, and by the time i got round there, within two minutes, there was a foot, at least, of water there, it had come in so suddenly. so, of course, we had to rush then to get her out from here and we carried her out into my car. she's fine now, yeah. moving on to england,

storm franklin brought more floods, swelling rivers, like the aire in leeds last night, a pontoon was swept away and crashed into a bridge. forecasters had warned of a risk to life and property if the mersey broke its banks, but here, south of manchester, defences worked. the water flowed instead into woodland and a golf course. there was no protection against high winds, though, in some of manchester's residential streets, nor on the m6 in lancashire, where a lorry hit a bridge and burst into flames. other motorists helped the driver to escape. he is being treated in hospital. rotherham station last night, looking more like a canal than a railway. as with storms dudley and eunice, rail networks have been severely disrupted. thousands of rail colleagues have been out, over the last few days and nights, clearing up the wreckage. we are doing our absolute best to keep the railways open, but my advice, before you travel

today or tomorrow, is to check before you travel with your train operator, to check that your train is running. matlock, derbyshire, this morning, after the river derwent burst its banks. here, the winds and rain are easing off, as storm franklin makes its way south and east. sanchia berg, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather. it has been a very stormy past 24 hours and we also have a number of flood warnings in force, particularly in the north of the uk, especially around north—west england. it's been a very stormy past 24 hours — storm franklin has brought severe gales, particularly to the north of the uk, and we still have dozens of flood warnings in force across england and wales. a couple of severe ones across northwest england around the river mersey. storm franklin now clearing away. you can see this ridge of high pressure building in. that's going to settle things down. so it is an improving sort of day regarding the winds and we should

see increasing amounts of sunshine as well as the afternoon wears on, just a few showers across central and eastern areas. still a very blustery day, but not as windy as it has been. you can see these gusts still a feature across eastern areas through the afternoon, but lighter further north and west. temperatures not too bad for the time of year, 10—12 degrees which is above the seasonal norm. single figures there for the north of scotland, where there'll be a few showers. eventually, the winds will ease right down through this evening and overnight. a ridge of high pressure builds in, so the winds turning light and it will turn quite chilly across eastern areas under clear skies. but the next frontal system will arrive across the north—west of the country, increasing cloud, wind, outbreaks of rain. so temperatures will be lifting out west, but a chillier night to come across eastern areas. so here it is — a new frontal system with strong winds spreading across the country, not as severe as what we've seen over the past few days, but it's still going to be a blustery sort of day. with outbreaks of rain, some of this heavier across the north and the west of the country, but it will be fizzling out as it moves its way south—eastwards through the morning and into the afternoon, eventually clearing the southeast around the middle part of the afternoon.

and then again, it's a bright day with sunshine, blustery showers, these wintry across the north and the west. but should be quite a bit of sunshine around, which is good news, of course, for the flooding in many areas. temperatures double figures in the south. cooler in the north. another bump of high pressure will bring a fine day to central and southern areas for wednesday, but to the north—west of the country, this very deep low in the north atlantic will bring another cloudy, windy, wet day across northern ireland and scotland. there will be gales again across the northwest of the country. the winds lighter the further south you are — just one or two showers dotted around. otherwise, it's not a bad day with variable cloud, some spells of sunshine, and temperatures in double figures here, but a chilly day in the north with snow on the hills. it's a very windy day on thursday, widespread gales, particularly in the north and the west, with sunshine and showers, and then it looks to be quieter for friday with some sunshine.

living with covid — the prime minister sets out his plan for england, scrapping the legal requirement to self—isolate from thursday. the prime minister says it's time to move from government restrictions to personal responsibility. let us learn to live with this virus, and continue protecting ourselves and others without restricting our freedoms. free universal testing will be scrapped from april 1st, even if you have symptoms. the labour leader says it's a mistake. free tests can't continue forever, but if you're 2—1 — if you're 2—1 up with ten minutes to go, you don't sub off one of your best defenders. additional boosterjabs will be

offered to all over 75s and the most vulnerable from the spring.