Nick Thomas-Symonds comments on the South African variant of Coronavirus being identified in eight areas of England

“This is deeply worrying. It shows the UK Government’s quarantine system is not working with the country being exposed to dangerous strains of the virus and new cases now appearing.

“While door-to-door testing is welcome in areas where cases of the South African variant with no links to travel have been identified, how can the Home Secretary justify keeping our borders open to Covid, allowing around 21,000 people to arrive every day?

“Conservative MPs must vote with Labour today to secure our borders against Covid and help to prevent progress on the vaccine being undermined.

“The Government must also ensure that adequate isolation support is put in place for those required to self-isolate.”