Chancellor Rishi Sunak 'concerned scientists are moving goalposts' on lifting lockdown

4 February 2021, 08:15 | Updated: 4 February 2021, 08:19

Rishi Sunak is growing increasingly concerned over what criteria needs to be met for lockdown to be lifted
Rishi Sunak is growing increasingly concerned over what criteria needs to be met for lockdown to be lifted. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

Rishi Sunak is growing increasingly concerned over what criteria needs to be met for lockdown to be lifted, reports have claimed.

The Chancellor is said to think the ongoing third national lockdown is a "fat lady sings moment" - meaning this will be when the Government draws a line under repeated lockdowns for good.

An unnamed source told the Telegraph: "Rishi is concerned that the scientists have been moving the goalposts in recent weeks. It's no longer just about hospitalisations and protecting the NHS but cases and case numbers."

Those close to Mr Sunak have also claimed he is concerned talk surrounding the easing of lockdown has switched from just protecting the NHS to keeping infections down and ultimately making the UK as Covid-free as possible.

Read more: UK joins together in national clap for Captain Sir Tom Moore

Read more: One dose of Oxford Covid jab can 'reduce transmission of coronavirus by two thirds'

The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the UK economy, after many areas in England have faced an almost total shutdown on outdoor shopping and hospitality.

The third national lockdown has seen restaurants and non-essential retail closed since the start of January - and it looks likely that will continue through to March as Covid hospital admissions remain stubbornly high.

Boris Johnson: Level of infection is still forbiddingly high

In November it was announced the pandemic had cost the country £280 billion so far, but after now imposing the latest lockdown this figure will have risen.

Since bringing in more restrictive measures in the face of a number of new mutant, more contagious, Covid strains, the case numbers have plummeted.

But Boris Johnson yesterday warned that infections remain "alarmingly high" and the NHS is still under "huge pressure", despite promising vaccination data.

The Prime Minister praised the "colossal" effort of health workers who have helped vaccinate more than 10 million people against Covid-19 in the UK.

But he said: "Though today there are some signs of hope - the numbers of Covid patients in hospital are beginning to fall for the first time since the onset of this new wave - the level of infection is still alarmingly high.

Covid fines issued as a group of 20 played football on locked pitch

"The wards of our NHS are under huge pressure with more than 32,000 Covid patients still in hospital."

Mr Johnson, addressing a Downing Street press conference, said vaccines appear to reduce death and serious illness from the main strains of coronavirus.

England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said that while the number of people in hospital with coronavirus has "quite noticeably" reduced, it is still above that of the first peak in April last year.

"The number of people in hospital with Covid has now gone down from its peak, quite noticeably...

"But as the Prime Minister said, there are still a very large number of people in hospital, and more people than there were in the first peak in April last year.

"So this is still a very major problem, but it is one that is heading the right way."

Prof Whitty said the number of deaths would "stay high for quite some time".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Shops are legally selling addictive nicotine pouches to children just weeks after single-use vapes were banned in an effort to cut their use among young people, Trading Standards has warned.

Shops legally selling addictive nicotine pouches to children weeks after single-use vapes banned

It is understood Deborah Turness made the comments when she was asked about the documentary during a routine staff meeting.

BBC News chief said members of Hamas government and militants are not the same amid documentary row

At some O2 stores, a security guard now opens the door for customers in response to a "growing number of thefts".

Tomorrow’s high street? Locked doors and security crackdowns as retailers fight shoplifting surge

Four boys and four girls, including one set of identical twins, have been delivered and are all doing well following treatment by a team in Newcastle, who pioneered the technique.

Eight babies born in the UK thanks to new IVF technique using DNA from three people to prevent devastating disease

Ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, 39, had surgery after he broke his left leg during a match against Birmingham City in April 2013.

Ex-Premier League footballer sues doctor for £7m after ‘unnecessary’ surgery ‘brought career to an end’

Shocking footage showed the stage at the iconic European dance festival in Boom, Belgium, engulfed in flames on Wednesday afternoon

Tomorrowland main stage destroyed by fire hours before festival start

The sci-fi juggernaut, which follows a group of friends who tackle supernatural forces in Indiana, debuted in 2016 and has gripped audiences across four seasons so far.

Tears and terror: First trailer drops for final season of Stranger Things

Audun Groenvold has died after a lightning strike.

Norwegian Olympic ski cross medalist Audun Groenvold dies after lightning strike

Companies House website viewed on an Ipad

11,500 companies struck off Companies House register after crackdown

Tributes have been paid to Love Actually and EastEnders star Jo Bacon.

Tributes pour in for Eastenders and Love Actually star following death aged 72

The TV chef, 59, broke his silence on Tuesday night after the show's producers Banijay UK confirmed his contract will not be renewed.

John Torode to 'take legal action' against BBC after MasterChef axing amid racism claim in Gregg Wallace report

Exclusive
All four suspended MPs voted against the bill.

Suspended Labour MP 'can't promise not to rebel again' after Keir Starmer removes whip from four backbenchers

The Obamas finally set the record straight on their marriage.

'We've had some really hard times': Barack and Michelle Obama finally address divorce rumours in shock interview

Man 38, lay dead in council toilet for six days before being found

Body of 'gentle giant', 38, lay undiscovered in council toilet for six days before he was found

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [6] during his Gentlemen's Singles Semi-Final match against Jannik Sinner (ITA)

Djokovic states aim to be oldest ever Wimbledon winner

London Southend Airport has partially reopened three days after a fatal plane crash.

London Southend Airport to partially reopen three days after deadly plane crash