We'll First Make Britain Safe And Then Help Others

BUSINESS Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has insisted the Government will “keep Britain safe” before sharing Covid vaccines with other countries.

- Macer Hall

Ministers’ “main focus” was on giving jabs to the entire UK population, he said.

They would only consider handing over doses to neighbouring countries such as Ireland once there was a surplus at home.

He also said Britain had to “stick to” Boris Johnson’s roadmap for easing lockdown to ensure the economy can open up again.

Mr Kwarteng spoke in a round of interviews yesterday following the limited lifting on Covid restrictions on outdoor gatherings.

Asked on Sky News if the Government was prepared to share vaccines with other countries, he said: “Our main focus at the moment is to try to vaccinate the whole population; we still have a way to go on that.

“And also the other thing we have to stick to is the roadmap. And in order to reopen the economy we’ve got to vaccinate as many people in our country as possible.”