‘Firmly’ in Plan A: England on ‘right path’ but must be cautious ahead of Christmas, Javid says

Published

4 years ago

November 21, 2021

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Sajid Javid has played down the need for more restrictions to be introduced in the coming weeks, telling Sky News that England is “firmly” in Plan A at the moment.

Speaking on Trevor Phillips On Sunday, the health secretary said ministers must “remain cautious, not complacent in any way” – but said he hoped people can “look forward to Christmas together”.

Mr Javid added that the government will take action if needs be, as infection rates rise across other European countries, telling Sky News: “If we needed to take further measures with Plan B then we would do so, but we’re not at that point.”

Earlier this week, the Austrian government announced a nationwide lockdown and said coronavirus vaccinations would become mandatory by law next year, blaming the country’s high infection numbers on those who have failed to take up the jab.

The nationwide lockdown will start on Monday and will initially last for 10 days, before being re-assessed, and will last a maximum of 20 days.

Mr Javid said he believes England has the “right measures” in place to curb infections, but warned that the virus “can be very unpredictable” and ministers “need to be ready” to act.

The health secretary told Sky News: “As we all look forward to Christmas, it’s very sad to see cases rising – surging in parts of Europe. We’ve always known that this virus, it loves the winter, it like the cold, darker days that winter brings and we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect ourselves against that.

“What’s made a real difference here in the UK is our booster programme – our hugely successful booster programme – almost 15m booster jabs given already, covering some quarter of the population over the age of 12.

“That’s 400,000 a day across the UK, and that’s making the difference and we know that because just this week there was more data published on more studies that shows the protection you get from your booster the change in protection, it almost doubles – from 50% to over 90%.”

He continued: “All of us, we’ve all got a role to play in this and in our national vaccination programme. And if you’re eligible for your first shot, second shot, third shot, please come forward, and let’s look forward to Christmas together.”

Asked if the government should be dusting off its Plan B and bringing in vaccine passports and mandatory requirements to wear face coverings, Mr Javid added: “Well the first thing I’d say if I may is we made a tough decision back in the start of the summer.

“Other countries didn’t follow our course and we decided that of course we want to start opening up, and if you are going to do that, it is best to do it into summer – it is far safer to do it in summer.

“Sadly, other countries in Europe did not do that. But looking ahead, as we look down towards winter, we need to make sure that we remain cautious, we are not complacent in any way.

“I have mentioned the importance of the booster programme, but in terms of any other potential measures, we have said all along we have got Plan A and that is where we firmly are at the moment.

“If we needed to take further measures with Plan B than we would do so, but we are not at that point.”

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed that there was “nothing in the data” that suggests the government should move forwards with Plan B.

The health secretary also confirmed that approximately 5.9 million people are on the NHS waiting list and that this number “is going to go up before it comes down”.

From Monday, people aged above 40 will be eligible to receive their booster jab, and Mr Javid urged those who can to take up the offer of a third jab to help keep their family and friends safe during the Christmas period.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds will also be able to book in for their second jab from Monday.

Germany and Slovakia are countries which, alongside Austria, have introduced further, strict measures in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as a debate intensifies over whether vaccines alone are enough to tackle coronavirus.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced fresh curbs on public life for those who have not had a vaccine in areas where hospitals are filling dangerously fast with coronavirus patients.

And last week, Europe accounted for more than half of the seven-day average of infections globally and about half of the latest deaths, according to a tally by Reuters news agency.

Greece has also imposed more restrictions on unvaccinated people following a recent surge in cases – barring them from all indoor spaces, such as cinemas, museums, and gyms.

On Saturday, the UK reported 40,941 new COVID cases and a further 150 deaths in the latest 24-hour period.

The number of cases was a small drop on Friday’s figures, when 44,242 were recorded.

The total number of COVID deaths in the UK since the start of the pandemic now stands at 143,866.

Politics

Streeting tells BMA doctors’ union to ‘pick a side’ between Reform and Labour

Published

2 hours ago

September 30, 2025

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Streeting tells BMA doctors' union to 'pick a side' between Reform and Labour

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told the BMA doctors’ union to “pick a side” between Reform and Labour over their pay dispute.

Mr Streeting, talking to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, said the Labour Party will always be on the side of the NHS, while Reform leader Nigel Farage would “check your credit card before your pulse”.

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈

In July, resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, went on strike over their pay and are threatening to strike again following years of walkouts under the previous Tory government.

In a preview of what his speech on Tuesday to the Labour Party conference will focus on, Mr Streeting said: “I’d say to the BMA, pick a side because you’ve got a choice here and there’s a government that wants to work with you.”

During a live recording of Electoral Dysfunction at the conference in Liverpool, he added: “What I’ve said to the BMA is the NHS is hanging by a thread, don’t pull it.

“It wouldn’t be in the interest of the BMA – there isn’t a more pro-doctor, pro-NHS government waiting in the wings.”

He mentioned Mr Farage’s plan to introduce health insurance, adding: “The BMA should really think about this in terms of their members.”

Mr Farage has also pledged to abolish indefinite leave to remain and put in place a minimum salary of £60,000 for skilled worker visas.

The health secretary said that would be “shooting ourselves in the foot” when it comes to NHS staff.

“Farage says ‘go home’, the Labour Party says ‘this is your home and with us this will always be your home’,” he said.

Lib Dems are ‘frenemies’

Mr Streeting said he thinks there will be lots of disaffected Conservative voters who do not want to see Reform in government, and said they are “welcome to get behind us”.

He added some of those voters will support the Lib Dems, who he called “frenemies” of Labour – “some days they’re friends, some days they’re enemies” – but said “we have a common enemy in Reform”.

We need Burnham on the pitch

Mr Streeting also addressed the potential of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham challenging Sir Keir Starmer for his premiership.

He said he thought Mr Burnham claiming there is a “culture of fear” within the Labour Party “was an overstatement”.

Asked if the mayor is a team player, Mr Streeting said: “On his best days, yes.”

But he said recently “he’s had his ups and downs”.

However, he added: “I think the thing about Andy, he’s one of our star players, and we need him on the pitch.”

Politics

Starmer to pit Labour against Reform in conference closing speech

Published

5 hours ago

September 29, 2025

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Starmer to pit Labour against Reform in conference closing speech

Sir Keir Starmer will say Britain stands at a fork in the road as he pits Labour against Reform in his conference closing speech.

The prime minister will use his address at 2pm on Tuesday to say the UK can choose decency or division, renewal or decline, be in control of the future or succumb “to the politics of grievance”.

“It is a test,” he is expected to tell the second autumn Labour conference of his premiership.

“A fight for the soul of our country, every bit as big as rebuilding Britain after the war, and we must all rise to this challenge.

“And yet we need to be clear that our path, the path of renewal, it’s long, it’s difficult, it requires decisions that are not cost-free or easy. Decisions – that will not always be comfortable for our party.”

Sir Keir will say “at the end of this hard road there will be a new country”, which he will put forward as fairer and “a land of dignity and respect”.

He will promise that everybody will be seen and valued, wealth will be created “in every community”, and working people will be in control of public services.

The “mindless bureaucracy that choked enterprise” will be removed “so we can build and keep on building”, the PM will pledge.

He will say that he believes Britain “can come together” despite people telling him it cannot.

“We can pursue a shared destination,” he is expected to say.

“We can unite around a common good. That’s my ambition, the purpose of this government. End decline, reform our public services, grow our economy from the grassroots.”

The conference has been dominated by a sharpening of language and policies in reaction to Reform, which has been leading in the polls for a while.

The latest Ipsos poll, published on Sunday, had the two parties neck and neck, with 38% saying they would prefer a Labour government led by Sir Keir and 35% for Reform led by Nigel Farage.

Ahead of Sir Keir’s final speech, cabinet members will also address the conference.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Health Secretary Wes Streeting will all make speeches ahead of the PM.

On Monday, 10 cabinet ministers addressed the conference from the main stage, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who argued that Reform presents a threat to the British economy.