UK coronavirus live: demand for Covid tests outstripping capacity, MPs told
Dido Harding gives evidence to Commons science committee; new restrictions placed on nearly 2 million people in north-east England
- Restrictions announced for swathe of north-east England
- North-east England lockdown: what are the new Covid restrictions?
- Almost 90% of tests in England taking longer than 24 hours to process
- Jacob Rees-Mogg attacks endless carping' about testing shortages
- Global coronavirus updates - live
6.08pm BST
The Tory message to those who need a COVID19 test but are struggling to access one? Stop the endless carping".
Outrageous, out-of-touch and frankly dangerous. Lives depend on us having a functioning test, trace and isolate system. pic.twitter.com/eclB2Uoxp1
5.47pm BST
These are from the Sun's Brussels correspondent Nick Gutteridge, speculating on how the EU might respond to the UK government pressing ahead with the internal market bill.
EU diplomat says one option under consideration as a middle way response to the Internal Market Bill is to carry on trade talks, but if any FTA is agreed between the two sides stipulate it can't come into force until the UK drops all measures that breach the Withdrawal Agreement.
Walking away from the talks is off the table, with Michel Barnier arguing that would just play into the hands of Brexiteers. The EU also can't just ignore the IMB. The other option being considered, as has been reported, is for the EU to take legal action against the UK.
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