Healthy checks
THREE cheers for the brave Tory rebels fighting tooth and nail to make the Tiers system fairer.
They’ve done well to force the PM into adding a sunset clause: such draconian restrictions on our cherished liberties MUST be given regular and robust parliamentary scrutiny — that’s how a healthy democracy works.
And they are right, too, to demand published analysis of the health, economic and social ramifications of the measures taken to suppress Covid-19.
Every other piece of life-altering legislation which passes through Parliament comes with an economic impact assessment.
And everything done in the healthcare system through NICE comes with a health impact assessment, proving the treatment proposed will save enough years of healthy life to justify the cost.
Why on earth should Covid-related decisions be treated any differently?
If Boris can prove to the satisfaction of MPs that putting 99 per cent of the country back into semi-lockdown is a sensible, necessary and proportionate precaution — fine.
But with the drumbeat of retail job losses on the high street and in the hospitality sector getting louder by the day, it’s only right that our elected representatives are clear on EXACTLY what they’re signing up to — and why.
Brexcellent
WE welcome Britain’s new points-based immigration system, launched today by Priti Patel.
The new programme is precisely what Brexit-voting Sun readers wanted: it will let us welcome the brightest and best — including doctors, nurses and carers — to the UK based on what they have to offer, not where they come from.
Meanwhile, unskilled migrants from the EU and beyond will be filtered out, easing the pressure on wages, the NHS and housing.
But they will get more points for working in an industry short of labour.
We’re pleased, too, that it’s all been sorted in time for the end of the transition period, giving businesses ravaged by Covid some time to prepare.
If this is what nimble Brexit Britain looks like, we like it already.
Good calls
Britain’s loneliness epidemic is reaching crisis point.
And it’s taking its toll on the nation’s health: experts believe having no one to call a friend is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Which is why this Christmas, Trending In The News is calling on our army of kind readers to join the battle against loneliness.
If you can spare just half an hour of your day to chat with someone in your local community who might be feeling isolated, why not get on the phone today?
