Downing Street has ruled out a new lockdown and says it does not yet intend to trigger “plan B” measures, such as mandatory face masks and a recommendation to work from home, to contain the spread of Covid-19 this winter.
However, business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has admitted ministers need to increase the uptake of booster vaccines and jabs for teenagers.
Matthew Taylor, head of the NHS Confederation, had warned overnight the UK risked “stumbling into a winter crisis” without tougher measures in place. The health service is “on the edge”, he said.
Sajid Javid is to hold a rare coronavirus press conference later today where he is sure to be asked about rising infections and deaths.
On Tuesday officials reported the UK’s highest one-day Covid-19 death toll since March, with 223 people dying within 28 days of testing positive in the most recent 24-hour period. Daily new infections have topped 40,000 for the past week.
Ministers have been accused of “burying their heads in the sand” amid fears of a fourth wave.
