PMQ: Starmer Questions the Efficacy of Johnson's COVID-19 Plan

Starmer began by drawing the house’s attention to the lack of testing centers currently in operation for COVID-19, asking what the Prime Minister would do about this. Johnson’s response consisted of defending the NHS and claiming that Parliament was “taking decisive steps [...] to intensify our social distancing measures.” The Prime Minister made clear that his first priority would be to keep schools open and keep the virus under control. 

Starmer was not satisfied with this answer, asking the Prime Minister to consider the immense stress and fear that thousands across the nation are being subject to because of the limits of the UK’s testing ability and general COVID-19 plan. 

The rest of their back and forth saw Starmer quote mothers, fathers, and individuals who had contacted him about their issues with obtaining testing and Johnson draw attention to the numbers and statistics that make the problems of those people seem like anomalies in an otherwise “heroic” system. 

The PMQ then moved into questions from MPs from around the nation.