MPs might be on summer break, but Boris Johnson and co have a lot of work to do

There are clearly a number of issues regarding the Covid pandemic that need dealing with – from vaccine passports, to the ‘pingdemic’ and rising cases, writes Chris Stevenson

More than 600,000 people have been told to isolate by the Covid app (Getty)

With the summer recess beginning for MPs this week, it is hard not to think about the big tasks that the government faces – although some will have to wait until after the House of Commons returns in September.

As my colleague Andrew Grice writes, confirmation of a national insurance rise won’t happen until the autumn, but funds raised will be aimed at the social care sector.

Although, as Andrew also makes clear, there are some concerns that it will have to share the billions of pounds raised with the NHS. The social care sector needs support, and it cannot be lost sight of in the coming months.

There are clearly a number of issues regarding the Covid pandemic that need dealing with – from vaccine passports, to the “pingdemic” and – most importantly – rising cases. It is times like these when the added scrutiny of things like Prime Minister’s Questions can really matter, even if it doesn’t always seem like it from outside Westminster.

Then there is the issue of Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol. Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen failed to reach agreement on UK demands to reshape matters this week – with the president of the European Commission saying the EU will “not renegotiate” the original deal. Glad to see that has been sorted out then!

I wouldn’t hold my breath over much swift progress either. It is an issue that always sparks a good deal of debate among readers; I imagine we will be receiving plenty of correspondence in the near future.

Back on the domestic front, there are the vagaries of the “levelling up” agenda. It will need to become more than a phrase that is bandied around sooner rather than later – but don’t expect much over the summer.

It may be the summer break for MPs – but Johnson and his government have plenty of work to do during the coming weeks.

Yours,

Chris Stevenson

Voices editor