Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to news that a Public Health England (PHE) document says the coronavirus epidemic in the UK will last until next spring and could lead to 7.9 million people being hospitalised, said:

“The public will be seriously concerned about the contents of this document. It reinforces why it is now urgent that the government is completely transparent about its strategy and explains what it is doing to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

“The report indicates the scale of the preparations and public expenditure support required.

“We need the government to produce a fully costed, comprehensive options plan now.”