By James Simons-
Boris Johnson has come under fire over his government’s series of U turns in its handling of the coronavirus.
The British prime minister faced his critics during his first Prime Minister’s Questions since Parliament’s summer recess began on July 22. Mr Johnson provided an explanation for his U turn, insisting that “sometimes it is necessary” to change direction in “response to the facts as they change”.
Johnson has repeatedly been criticised for the regularly changing policies of his government, but considers the U turns as reflecting the need to adapt to new information as they occur.
The government on Wednesday reimposed “crude, blanket” lockdown restrictions on half a million people in Greater Manchester, 12 hours after they were lifted after a rise in infections.
Health secretary, Matt Hancock, said Trafford and Bolton would remain under enhanced restrictions banning gatherings in homes and gardens “following a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days”.
It comes as new figures show just over 57,300 deaths involving Covid-19 have now been registered in the UK. The ONS data shows that 52,217 deaths involving Covid-19 had occurred in England and Wales up to August 21, and had been registered by August 29.
Statistics published last week indicates 4,222 deaths involving Covid-19 registered in Scotland up to August 23, while 871 deaths had occurred in Northern Ireland up to August 21, and had been registered up to August 26.
There has so far 57,310 deaths have been registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.
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