Rather than taking a cautious approach to emerging from the pandemic, once again the government’s mixes messages are causing a summer of chaos, say Labour.

Wearing masks, not wearing masks, full sports venues, failing to secure our borders and rising numbers of Covid cases all add up to a government that doesn’t know what it’s doing.

Northumberland Labour Deputy Leader Liz Simpson says: “The government should be using the time to prepare for autumn: getting schools ready, vaccinating young people, getting testing in place and preparing the NHS.

“The government likes to conveniently forget this but the UK has, tragically, had the highest death toll in Europe and the greatest hit to any economy.

“Their recklessness has to be seen to be believed. Individuals, families and businesses need clarity and they have anything but.

“Labour wants to see a gradual easing of restrictions with regular reviews, sensible measures like mask wearing in crowded places made mandatory, a continuation of flexible working and proper ventilation in public schools and buildings.

“We think the government should ensure there are supplies of free lateral flow testing available to all,and robust testing capacity ahead of the autumn, self-isolation and sick pay are finally fixed and we play our part in the global vaccine rollout.”