'Heartless and reckless' to force shielding people back to work, says TUC

Exclusive: scientists demand to see evidence behind decision to drop shielding on 1 August

• I'd rather lose my job than my life': vulnerable people on the end of shielding

Up to 2 million extremely vulnerable people shielding in England must not be forced to return to their workplaces, trade unions have declared, amid concerns over rising coronavirus infection rates.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said it would be heartless and reckless" for bosses to demand the immediate return of shielding workers on 1 August, when the government will no longer advise them to stay at home and will no longer pay them statutory sick pay.