Government under pressure to act on Sage advice as new Covid cases surge

‘Following the science’ promise in doubt as politicians and researchers clash over national lockdown calls

The government is facing mounting pressure to heed the verdict of its own scientific advisers and rapidly implement a tougher national lockdown to fight the UK’s Covid-19 outbreak.

Last week it emerged that the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies recommended an immediate national lockdown on 21 September, as part of a package of interventions to prevent an “exponential rise in cases”.