Boris delay in lockdown has caused thousands of deaths

The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on Boris Johnson to impose a circuit breaker ahead of half term three weeks ago.

Sir Keir warned that Johnson delaying the second national lockdown would have had a “very, very real” human cost.

The Labour leader welcomed the government’s move in “finally taking the decision it should have weeks ago.”

He said, “Everybody is concerned about the rise in infections, the hospital admissions and tragically the number of deaths. That’s why three weeks ago, I called for circuit-break.

“The Government completely rejected that only now to announce the self-same thing.

“Alas the delay now will cost, the lockdown will be longer, it’ll be harder and there’s a human cost which will be very, very real.”

He said that Labour “will support the government’s message” ahead of a vote on the new coronavirus restrictions in Parliament this week.