Prime minister caught between scientific advisers and his sceptical cabinet over action on Omicron
Boris Johnson has put off a decision about whether to impose new Covid restrictions across England to curb soaring cases – but warned he will “reserve the possibility of taking further action” before Christmas.
After a cabinet meeting lasting more than two hours, where scientific advisers briefed ministers on the latest data including a steep rise in hospitalisations in London, the prime minister said the arguments for and against stricter measures were “finely balanced” and the situation was “extremely difficult”.