Sir Keir Starmer will make a televised address to the nation in response to Boris Johnson’s coronavirus statement.
The Labour leader is to get a “right of reply” on Wednesday evening to the Prime Minister’s address in which he warned tougher restrictions could be imposed if the rate does not fall.
Sir Keir’s speech will be aired on BBC One in the same primetime slot of 8pm given to Mr Johnson a day earlier, the broadcaster said.
A Labour source said: “He will support what the Government’s announced but also state that another national lockdown isn’t inevitable and what we need to do is follow the rule of law and fix issues such as testing.”
In Mr Johnson’s new strategy for England, office staff will once again be told to work from home, the use of masks will become more widespread and a 10pm curfew will be enforced on pubs and restaurants.
But experts have warned the measures will not go far enough in halting the spread of Covid-19, as ministers try to prevent a second wave causing another massive loss of life in the UK.
Labour has made a concerted effort recently to boost its profile on the airwaves, with senior figures taking up radio slots and Sir Keir planning monthly press conferences.
