A Cabinet meeting where Boris Johnson was due to present ministers with his “living with Covid” plan has been delayed, the PA news agency understands.
Some ministers had been photographed arriving in Downing Street ahead of the planned meeting.
It is understood it is due to take place later today, after the Prime Minister has received further briefings, in order for the plans to be signed off.
Mr Johnson was due to meet his Cabinet on Monday morning, before updating MPs in the Commons at 2.30pm following the Parliamentary recess. The Commons update has now been delayed to around 4.30pm.
The Telegraph reports that a clash between Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid over the scale of future virus testing is believed to be behind the delay.
Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said the delayed Cabinet meeting was a sign of “chaos and incompetence”.
He said: “The Government is paralysed by its own chaos and incompetence and the British public are paying the price. This shambles cannot continue.
“What confidence can the public have that the Conservatives are acting in the national interest when they can’t agree a plan for Covid?
“It is clear the Prime Minister was trying to declare victory before the war is over, simply to distract from the police knocking at the door of Number 10.
“Labour published our plan for living well with Covid in January. It would prepare us for new variants and secure our lives, livelihoods and liberties. If the Conservatives are too incompetent to agree their own plan, they are welcome to use ours.”
As previously announced, the UK Government is planning to scrap the legal duty for those who test positive for coronavirus to have to self-isolate by the end of the week.
Speaking ahead of the planned announcement the Prime Minister said: “Today will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history as we begin to learn to live with Covid.
“It would not be possible without the efforts of so many – the NHS who delivered the life-saving vaccine rollout at phenomenal speed, our world-leading scientists and experts, and the general public for their commitment to protecting themselves and their loved ones.
“The pandemic is not over but thanks to the incredible vaccine rollout we are now one step closer towards a return to normality and finally giving people back their freedoms while continuing to protect ourselves and others.”
