Inside Politics: Johnson to press ahead with relaxing Covid rules

Compulsory wearing of face masks to be scrapped and rule of six to go, writes Matt Mathers

(PA)

Maybe it is coming home? Following England’s brilliant win over Ukraine, Crawley council has said “nothing is off the table” in response to fans’ calls for a statue of manager Gareth Southgate in the town centre. What a sight that would be! At Westminster, Boris Johnson is expected to set in stone that most Covid restrictions will be axed on 19 July. Despite warnings from medics and scientists, the PM is likely to announce an end to social distancing rules. Elsewhere, Johnson is coming under renewed pressure on foreign aid cuts. Labour has launched a drive to get “on the side” of British businesses.

PS – ‘The View from Westminster’ newsletter from John Rentoul offers his unique end-of-play analysis at 6pm each weekday. Sign up here.

Inside the bubble