Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if it is the Government's policy to use public fear as a tool to ensure compliance with covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement.

It is not Government policy. Throughout the pandemic the vast majority of people and businesses have been compliant with the restrictions we have needed to introduce to help reduce transmission of the virus. Tremendous sacrifices have been made, and it is thanks to our collective national resolve that we have been able to protect the NHS and save lives, which has been our priority from the start.