Safety Plan Ready To Unlock Britain

Cash to help high streets reopen as PM puts country on the path to normality

- David Maddox

Boris Johnson has unveiled a series of crucial moves to start steering Britain safely out of lockdown at the start of June.

Ahead of a crunch Cabinet meeting tomorrow to make the final decisions on easing restrictions, the Government has revealed a package worth hundreds of millions of pounds to allow normality to begin to return and the economy to get going again.

New measures include investment in high streets and the transport network to make them safe to use again.

They will also unveil an advanced trace and test system with 25,000 contact tracers recruited as part of the largest virtual call centre operation in the country.

Other measures include a risk assessment report which shows Parliament can return to normal business and end the hybrid arrangements when MPs return from their recess on June 2.

There is also a plan to ensure rough sleepers do not return to the streets.

A Downing Street source said: “The Prime Minister will hold Cabinet to update his government on the ways we will slowly begin to ease restrictions for certain sectors.

“Whilst no changes are expected before June 1, it is understood that this week will see guidance and advice in relation to the sectors that are covered in step 2.

“This will include an update on the new test and trace programme, an announcement on schools, and potentially an update on non-essential retail. The Prime Minister will advise the public on what the data and research are telling us, mapped against our timetable for unlocking the country.”