The Prime Minister's announcement of a third national lockdown is only needed due to his Covid policy failures, an Oxford MP has said.

Layla Moran, who represents Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "These further restrictions are needed, but only because the PM hasn't learned from his mistakes last year."

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The Lib Dem MP, who is also chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on coronavirus, said: "The APPG on coronavirus sent him 44 urgent recommendations in December to improve our handling of the pandemic. 

"Crucially, that includes adopting the Covid-Secure UK exit strategy to control, suppress and then eliminate coronavirus."

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She added: "Unless the Government gets the R number under control using locally-led test and trace, and then keeps the virus suppressed with strict testing at the UK's borders, this damaging cycle of boom and bust lockdowns will continue until the vaccine is rolled out.

"It's time for the PM to listen to MPs, read our report and implement our recommendations."