We're in a good position for Covid restrictions to end, MP says

Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes said the effectiveness of the vaccine gave him confidence that the Government would not need to delay the lifting of measures beyond June 21.

Boris Johnson is expected to confirm in the coming days whether any changes will be made to his roadmap out of lockdown, amid concerns of growing rates of the Indian variant.

Asked whether there would be a possibility of a delay should infections continue to rise, Rough Sleeping and Housing Minister Mr Hughes said: "I don't think that's going to be the case.

"We have seen the effectiveness of the vaccine – particularly once people have had two doses – against this new variant, so I'm still feeling confident that we are going to be in a good position."

Mr Hughes also played down claims from the Prime Minister's former advisor Dominic Cummings that Government failings cost lives at the start of the pandemic.

He said: "I've had no emails about it and no one is talking to me about it on social media.

"I think it's something that is being heavily focused on by the media and people in London, but I think everyone else is more interested in whether they are going to be able to travel for their holidays, and when can we get the football stadiums full again.

"Let's look forwards rather than backwards."