Gordon Brown calls for ‘extraordinary measures’ to tackle Covid inequalities

The former PM says wealthy nations must coordinate resources to accelerate access to vaccines and testing for developing nations

Gordon Brown has urged rich countries to consider extraordinary measures" similar to those taken during the global financial crisis to increase developing nations' access to Covid vaccines, calling on governments to fill a $16bn (11.8bn) funding gap within weeks.

The former British prime minister, who hosted the 2009 G20 summit credited with having staved off a second Great Depression and as chancellor helped unveil a landmark debt relief package at the 2005 G8 summit in Gleneagles, said a similar act of international coordination was urgently required on Covid.