Labour candidate for West Midlands Mayor criticises virus testing
Labour's candidate for West Midlands Mayor has called on the Government to improve testing after he claimed they were making a "dog's dinner" out of it.
Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill, made the statement as further restrictions were implemented on Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull today.
The new rules means people in the areas have been banned from socialising with people from outside of their households in a bid to curb the virus spread.
The MP, who is hoping to win the West Midlands Mayor election from the Conservatives' Andy Street next year, said: "We now find ourselves in a localised lockdown with greater restriction in place in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell.
"As cases rise every citizen has a responsibility to each other to help keep the infection rates down by playing by the rules.
"But Government ministers are making a dogs dinner of the testing system and it's time they got a grip. The only way to avoid self-isolating the whole city is if those who've actually got covid19 can get a test result fast and take the necessary steps to isolate themselves and immediate contacts.
"The guidance needs to be clear on what people and cannot do. So far, every announcement by the Prime Minister seems to contradict or change the last announcement he made, leaving people confused about what they are allowed to do."
Mr Byrne, who also called for a Government rethink on ending furlough for everyone, said councils would be faced with "additional costs" and new bills as a result of the restrictions – and said the costs must be met by Whitehall.
He said people in Sandwell, Solihull and Birmingham "should not" have to face service cuts – or tax rises – as a result of the Government's "failure".
