Controversial Eat Out to Help Out Scheme Under Scrutiny

Rishi Sunak, the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, is set to face an intense eight-hour grilling at the Covid inquiry today. His defense of the controversial Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which aimed to support the hospitality sector during the pandemic, will be closely examined.

Tory Rebels Threaten to Derail Legislation

As Sunak's make-or-break week begins, Tory rebels are plotting to derail his Rwanda legislation in the Commons tomorrow. This adds to the pressure he faces in defending his pandemic policies.

Concerns Over Covid Cases Spike

Eat Out to Help Out has been criticized for potentially causing a spike in Covid cases during the summer of 2020. The PM will need to address these concerns and explain the reasoning behind the scheme.

"Dr Death, the Chancellor"

Text messages have revealed that government scientists referred to Rishi Sunak as "Dr Death, the Chancellor." This revelation raises questions about his decision-making and the advice he received during the pandemic.

Conflicting Views on Scheme Effectiveness

While Cabinet ally Michael Gove defended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, arguing that it was effective in supporting the hospitality industry, England's chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, reportedly referred to it as "eat out to help out the virus." The inquiry will delve into these conflicting views.

Lack of Consultation

Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser at the time, stated that he and Sir Chris could not recall being consulted in advance about the large-scale scheme. This lack of consultation raises questions about the decision-making process and the potential impact on public health.

WhatsApp Messages in Question

Mr. Sunak may also face scrutiny over his WhatsApp messages, or lack thereof. He reportedly claimed that he no longer has access to the messages due to changing his phone multiple times.