Sunak is understood to want to delay introducing new restrictions and has suggested that more models be consideredRishi Sunak is one of at least ten cabinet ministers who are resisting calls by scientific advisers for new coronavirus restrictions to be introduced before Christmas by questioning the accuracy of official modelling. Sajid Javid, the health secretary, yesterday refused to rule out a “circuit breaker” that would ban household mixing and said the government might need to act before the data was clear. “If we wait until the data is perfect, it may be too late,” he said. SponsoredThe Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has said the emergence of the Omicron variant means that without action, 3,000 patients a day could need a hospital bed, with pressure rising the longer ministers delay introducing restrictions. Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific

Source: The Times December 20, 2021 07:26 UTC