CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak said the Government would “pursue every possible option” to secure personal protective equipment (PPE) for the UK as the death toll rose by 449 to 16,509.

With the Government under fire over a lack of crucial items of PPE, Sunak said: “This is an international challenge that many other countries are experiencing.

“Alongside the efforts of British businesses, and our embassies around the world, we are working hard to get the PPE our frontline NHS and social care staff need.”

He insisted there were regular shipments despite the “unexpected delays” to the consignment from Turkey.

“Today we unloaded a shipment of 140,000 gowns from Myanmar,” he said.

“We are, of course, continuing to pursue every possible option for PPE procurement.”

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