BORIS Johnson is facing a rebellion from his Chancellor over the UK’s travel restrictions.
The Sunday Times reports that Rishi Sunak has written to the Prime Minister to complain about the damage the current border rules are doing to the UK’s economy, particularly its tourism and hospitality sector.
That’s despite warnings from scientists that an increase in overseas travel could cause a spike in cases, risking deaths and the development of further variants.
The Chancellor has reportedly told the Conservative Party leader that the UK's entry and exit rules are "out of step with our international competitors".
The newspaper quotes a source, who it claims is familiar with the letter, as saying: "Rishi has called time on the travel restrictions."
The report comes before ministers are due to meet next week to set the travel rules that will be in place for most of August.
Treasury sources did not deny Sunak had written to his Downing Street neighbour but said the communication was not related to next week's review.
The UK Government has faced criticism over changes to its border policy during the coronavirus pandemic, with France the latest to be irked after it was placed on a newly-created "amber-plus" list as part of the so-called traffic light system.
The fresh designation, in response to suggestions of growing cases of the Beta variant that was first discovered in South Africa, saw the quarantine exemption for the fully vaccinated scrapped, meaning those returning from France had to quarantine for 10 days.
READ MORE: Covid infection rates drop in Scotland as rest of UK increases
Analysts have predicted that Spain could be the next country to go on the amber-plus list, in what would be a blow to British tourists given Spain is the UK's most popular tourist destination.
There is speculation that France might be promoted back to amber when the Government updates the travel lists on August 5, restoring the ability for the double jabbed to skip self-isolation.
No 10 sources said it was too early to speculate on what changes might be made next week, with ministers yet to see the latest data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre, which assesses the risks presented by international travel.
They pointed to the decision to open up travel to those who are fully vaccinated coming from the US and European Union as an example of Johnson's own desire to see more open borders in Britain.
Latest data show #COVID19 infection rates have continued to increase in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and decreased in Scotland in the week ending 24 July 2021.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 30, 2021
The Delta variant continues to be the most common in the UK https://t.co/HXYymKxo93 pic.twitter.com/0tUTs957aP
Sunak's push for travel restrictions to be softened comes only days after scientists advising the Government on coronavirus warned, in papers published on Friday, that any increase in foreign travel this summer is concerning.
The daily average of coronavirus-related deaths, those dying within 28 days of a positive test, has increased by 9% over the past week, with hospital admissions up by almost a fifth.
While case rates have increased in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland’s infection rate is on a downward trend.
Last week, one in 110 people (not living in care homes, hospitals or other institutional settings) in Scotland were estimated to have Covid-19.
In England and Northern Ireland, the figure was one in 65, while in Wales it was one in 160.
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