Sir Keir Starmer warns UK’s test and trace system is ‘on the verge of collapse’ as cases being to rise – and demands Boris Johnson ‘takes responsibility’
- Sir Keir Starmer said Boris Johnson failed to implement a track and trace system
- He said the PM could have used the summer to implement a proper scheme
- Officials yesterday apologised after Covid-19 tests were in short supply
- Sir Keir criticised the government’s handling and their ‘confused’ messaging
Labour Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the test and trace system is ‘on the verge of collapse’ as he told Boris Johnson to take responsibility amid a rise in coronavirus infections.
The Labour leader said on Tuesday that the Prime Minister should have used the summer to get a ‘very effective’ test-and-trace system running.
But Sir Keir instead pointed to a series of damaging stories about its failings, after a senior official in the scheme in England apologised to those who have been unable to get tested.
Sir Keir Starmer accused Boris Johnson of wasting the summer by failing to implement an effective Covid-19 ‘track and trace’ system
Sir Keir said the Prime Minister should take control of the crisis before the system collapses
During a round of broadcast interviews, the Labour leader told the BBC: ‘Everybody is deeply concerned about the rise in the rate of infection.
‘As we reopen the economy, as children go back to school, this was always going to be a risk, we understand that.’
The Government, he said, should have used recent months where the NHS was not under great strain from infections to get a proper test-and-trace system in place.
‘What we’re now seeing is stories over the past few days that is showing the testing regime is on the verge of collapse,’ he said.
‘Heartbreaking stories from people who need a test being told no tests are available.
‘Or the website is crashing, or people are being told to go miles and miles for a test.
‘Nobody can argue that that is good governance.’
He continued to support the principles of the Government’s coronavirus restrictions, saying he did not want to ‘undermine’ messaging during the pandemic.
But he criticised the Government’s own messaging as ‘confused’.
Sir Keir said: ‘We’re seeing this increase in infection rate, that’s the time the testing regime needs to work and it’s not working and the Prime Minister needs to take responsibility’
‘We’re seeing this increase in infection rate, that’s the time the testing regime needs to work and it’s not working and the Prime Minister needs to take responsibility,’ Sir Keir added.
His warnings came after there were a further 2,948 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Monday, following the 2,988 reported on Sunday, which was the largest daily figure since May.
The Government’s top medical advisers have warned that the public must take Covid-19 seriously again or face a spike in cases.