A senior Grantham councillor has accused the government of 'abdicating responsibility' over the planned easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday.

Coun Charmaine Morgan, leader of Labour Group on South Kesteven District Council says the government moves "is not welcome by all."

The hospital campaigner and Grantham St Vincent's ward councillor said: "The Government has stated it has listened to scientific advice but is now throwing caution to the wind.

"While there is clearly a balance to be had between managing the health impacts and economic impacts of Covid 19 this decision not only puts our most vulnerable at risk but all who have public facing roles. Wearing masks protects others in our community. Others wearing masks protect us."

Coun Morgan continued: "While we have been fighting to retain acute services at Grantham and District Hospital we are aware that United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust, like others, has been focusing on managing its backlog of operations too.

"Currently approximately 65,000 people in our county are waiting operations. A resurgence of Covid19 cases will put more pressure on our NHS staff already reeling, and still to recover from, earlier Covid19 phases, even if overall deaths fall.

"It is no consolation at present that our next nearest city, Nottingham, has the among the highest levels of Covid19 now in the UK, mainly due to its younger student population.

"Labour has called the Government's decision 'reckless' . We are calling for a more balanced approach. Keep masks for now, use ventilation and social distancing at least."

Coun Morgan added: "It is clear the Government has abdicated its responsibility to manage our Public Health with Prime minister Boris Johnson expecting and accepting more deaths.

"So, it's down to us. On 19 July we need to ask ourselves if just because we will be able to leave our masks at home whether we should."