A new COVID-19 variant, named BA.2.86, has emerged in several countries and is sparking concerns in the UK. The variant contains a high number of mutations and has appeared in individuals without travel history, indicating it is transmitting in communities.
In response, the UK government has announced it will expand the autumn COVID-19 booster program by one month, starting it on September 11. However, the booster shots will only be available to limited groups including care home residents, the clinically vulnerable, those aged 65 and over, health and social care staff, and carers.
“If the government really wants to say that the pandemic is over then it should be taking measures to halt community transmission.”
The limited scope of the booster program is drawing criticism. Joan Twelves of the COVID Action campaign states, “Why are booster jabs not being offered to everyone who wants one? It’s been years since the majority of the population were offered vaccination.” She argues that relying on herd immunity is “bad science” and calls for vaccine centres to be reopened and a publicity campaign launched.
Beyond boosters, Twelves and COVID Action argue more mitigation measures are needed to curb community transmission and prevent long COVID and further NHS strain. They advocate for free vaccinations for all, restored free testing, mandatory masking in healthcare settings and crowded public spaces, and improved ventilation in schools and public buildings.
“Beyond boosters, Twelves and COVID Action argue more mitigation measures are needed to curb community transmission.”
The concerns come as schools and colleges prepare to reopen, sparking fears of increased viral spread. COVID Action argues now is the time for the government to change course and implement measures to drive down transmission as the NHS faces a difficult winter ahead. The limited booster program expansion suggests the government remains reluctant to acknowledge the continued threat of the pandemic.
COVID Action argues now is the time for the government to change course and implement measures to drive down transmission as the NHS faces a difficult winter ahead.
The UK state is not unitary from the point of taxation. There is significant fiscal devolution – council tax and its equivalent is devolved to all four polities, and property sales taxes devolved in Cymru and Scotland. Scotland has significant influence over income tax rates and bands, but the ability to create new taxes is largely controlled by Westminster though a Tourist tax has been approved. Interestingly, Corporation Tax was devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly by the Tories (largely to encourage it to match the very low rates in the 26 county Republic of Ireland state). However VAT, National Insurance and many other taxes are UK-wide (not just “Britain”) and controlled by Westminster.
The STUC has identified measures https://www.stuc.org.uk/news/news/stuc-launch-tax-proposals-to-save-scotlands-public-services/ under current devolution arrangements that could be used to tax wealth more by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Greens have in the last few days introduced an exemplary measure into the housing bill at Holyrood to remove the exemption on the monarch’s properties being taxed in Scotland (he owns 80), a symbolic gesture but not politically insignificant, and have proposed a new council tax band for mansions. The Scottish Socialist Party has long proposed removing the regressive council tax and replacing it with a redistributive Scottish Service Tax.
This is all in advance of the devolved Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026. Polls tell us voters in Cymru strongly support the extension of the fiscal powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament to Senedd Cymru, as a minimal demand, and also elect a new Senedd on a new PR system in May 2026.
The campaign for a wealth tax will therefore have a totally different character and demands in the different parts of “Britain” (which has not been a fiscal or economic unit for 225 years by the way). There are no Anglo-centric “one size fits all” fiscal solutions, even within the current form of the UK state.