London

UK BUSINESSES and unions are grappling with the government's partial relaxation of the lockdown. Since some 223,000 people have been infected and more than 32,000 have died so far, there is considerable pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Some critics are calling for an eventual public enquiry because of the government's belated and inadequate testing procedures, postponing the inital lockdown and neglect of care home virus outbreaks. Criticism of Mr Johnson's "stay alert" slogan and contradictory measures is widespread and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have decided to maintain their lockdowns.