Brexit obsession left UK vulnerable to COVID, ex-Cabinet Office director reveals
A former official said the UK Government neglected its pandemic preparedness due to its obsession with Brexit, adding that the government did not plan for lockdowns, social support, or PPE, and ignored the health inequalities and vulnerabilities of the poor and ethnic minorities.
A former official said the UK Government neglected its pandemic preparedness due to its obsession with Brexit, adding that the government did not plan for lockdowns, social support, or PPE, and ignored the health inequalities and vulnerabilities of the poor and ethnic minorities.
T he UK government’s lack of preparedness for the COVID pandemic was due to its focus on plans for a no-deal Brexit, as confirmed by Katharine Hammond, former director of the civil contingencies secretariat in the Cabinet Office, when she gave evidence to the COVID Public Inquiry.
Lockdowns, social restrictions, economic collapse, and financial support for individuals were not considered in any meaningful sense.
CONTINUE READING...
Enjoy unlimited access now.
To get full access to this article,
simply become a member of PUBLIC SQUARE now.
By doing so, you will be supporting
our independent journalism.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
£3/month ∙ £5/month ∙ £7/month
You can cancel anytime.
BECOME A MEMBER
Already a member? Sign in here!
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:
✅ Read exclusive member-only articles
✅ Read our daily review of the UK front pages
✅ Receive every new article by email
✅ Access all our articles
✅ Get Special Discounts with our partners
✅ Join the conversation: Comment our articles
✅ Access our archives
✅ More importantly: Support independent journalism and keep the magazine going
Read more
— Your daily roundup of the front pages of the main newspapers and magazines today in the UK... and beyond.
— The NHS faces serious challenges unless major reforms are made, according to Lord Ara Darzi’s report. Key recommendations include shifting focus to digital transformation, community care, disease prevention, and avoiding centralised restructuring.
— Your daily roundup of the front pages of the main newspapers and magazines today in the UK... and beyond.
— Michel Barnier, former Brexit negotiator, is now France’s prime minister, representing Les Républicains. His appointment follows Macron’s failed election gamble. Barnier faces challenges forming a government amid National Assembly fragmentation.
|
|
