COVID-19: MPs call on people to review ‘real freedom’ as PM extends coronavirus restrictions until July 19 | UK News

The public must “review real freedom,” a former Tory cabinet minister said, as the government delayed the easing of the lockdown in England for four weeks until July 19.

Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe, asked Health Secretary Matt Hancock to explain under what conditions the country would move to the fourth stage of the government’s roadmap, noting that many expected the measures to be extended until in July.

His fellow Conservative MP and chairman of the Special Committee on Justice, Sir Bob Neill, warned that it was “unreasonable” that economic support was not extended for four weeks alongside the restrictions.

It came as Boris Johnson, speaking at a press conference in Downing Street on Monday evening, announced a four-week delay in lifting lockdown restrictions in England until July 19 in mid rising case of the Delta variant.

The PM said the postponement of the fourth stage of the government’s roadmap, which was slated to take place on June 21, will allow more people to receive their second jab ahead of further easing of restrictions.

The proposed extension will be reviewed to see if action can be taken two weeks earlier on Monday, July 5.

MPs will have their say over the delay in the Commons vote on Wednesday, the prime minister’s spokesperson said.

The Prime Minister also announced that the time between vaccine doses had been shortened for people over the age of 40 – from 12 weeks to eight weeks – all in that age group being offered a second dose of here the week of July 19.

This means that two-thirds of adults will have received both doses by that date. All over 18s will have been invited for their first jab by July 19th.

It makes “sense” to postpone the end of all legal limits on social contact until July 19, the prime minister said, adding that he was “confident” that no further delay would be necessary.

“We can just continue with the whole step 4 on June 21, …