Boris Johnson’s Christmas U-turn was yet another questionable leadership decision. It capped a year where tens of millions of Britons have suffered economic hardship and loss of income.

The lockdown measures have left the UK facing the prospect of a double-dip recession, record-high redundancies and created a furlough system that has left almost 30% of the UK workforce unproductive. Meanwhile, not only has Member of Parliament (MP) pay been unaffected this year, but it was in the process of being increased until it was quickly blocked for fear of public criticism.

We have been constantly asking the question: why have we not seen any analysis of an alternative model to respond to the pandemic?

The detection of a new mutation of COVID-19 has now cast uncertainty on the UK government’s promise of an effective vaccine as the ‘golden ticket’ to reopen the economy. Despite UK scientists advising that under-50s need not even receive a vaccine, the government has planned for months of strict lockdowns which will only serve to add to the growing pile of national debt and public frustration.

We have been constantly asking the question: why have we not seen any analysis of an alternative model to respond to the pandemic?

An alternative option could be to offer all over 50’s the opportunity to self-isolate whilst allowing the rest of the country, and the economy, to continue as normal. With additional economic support available, this would then protect those members of society who were most at risk and allow the economy to recover. This approach closely aligns with how the government plan to roll out the vaccine and so at least should be considered, rather than relying on a lock-down approach which has been tested and failed a number of times now. 

An alternative would be to lift lock-down in areas whilst the vaccine is being rolled-out, allowing for herd immunity derived from resistance as a result of the vaccine and resistance through previous infection.

Another alternative would be to lift lock-down in areas whilst the vaccine is being rolled-out, allowing for herd immunity derived from resistance as a result of the vaccine and resistance through previous infection. Starting with the economic hot-spots (London, Manchester, Birmingham) and the age groups driving the economy (i.e. those of working age). This would save lives directly and indirectly.

If there are alternative approaches available, which could potentially alleviate the economic pain millions of Britons are suffering, should these not at least be explored by MPs? Instead of sticking with a strategy that’s doing more harm than good.