We warned of a testing crisis five months ago, the Daily Mail says. It describes Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s admission on Wednesday that there are not enough tests to meet demand as “embarrassing”. The paper adds that the government will publish its list of people who be prioritised for tests later on Thursday.
The Daily Mail calls the testing situation a “shambles”, as it promotes its own campaign called “Get Britain Tested”. The paper reports on Mr Hancock’s comments in Parliament, saying he admitted that tests would need to be rationed with care homes, hospitals, schools and key staff given priority. It was a “humiliating climbdown” for the health secretary, the paper says.
The Daily Mail says that the coronavirus pandemic has sparked a “huge rise in problem drinking”, according to a new report.
Meanwhile, hospital admissions for seven deadly non-coronavirus conditions between March and June fell by more than 173,000 on the previous year, the Daily Mail reports. The figures, the paper says, reveal the “devastating” impact of lockdown on the nation’s health. There was a significant drop in cancer admissions and admissions for heart attacks compared to last year, and analysis from the Mail revealed a similar trend for patients who suffered strokes, diabetes and dementia, among other conditions.
Boris Johnson is being urged to “rescue Christmas” by exempting children from the “rule of six” on social distancing, the Daily Mail says.
The government is apparently arguing among itself over the new social gathering rules, with some saying the restrictions are too stringent, says the Daily Mail.
But the Daily Mail’s front page focuses on Professor Chris Whitty’s claims that the situation surrounding coronavirus in Britain will “remain difficult” until March 2021.
The Daily Mail calls the new six-person limit on gatherings, “tough”, adding ministers are panicking over the rise in infections.
Up to £3.5bn of furlough cash has been paid out in error or as a result of fraudulent claims, according to official estimates, the Daily Mail says.
The Mail On Sunday’s front page features an interview with the prime minister’s chief EU negotiator Lord Frost, who claims Britain will not become a “client state” of Brussels and simply accept restrictions on rights and vetoes on our laws.