But viewed from the grim standpoint of the present, what most stands out is not what Mr Sunak said, but what he didn’t say. On the ongoing social care crisis, the subject of a pre-election pledge by the prime minister, he was entirely silent. In social care, a perilous game of catch-up is now being played. This week it emerged that protective equipment for care workers promised by the end of last week does not include aprons, gloves and visors, while masks have been criticised as inadequate. Care workers, supermarket employees and refuse collectors all play their part in what has been described as the “foundational economy”.

Source: The Guardian March 30, 2020 17:43 UTC