Labour’s leader dramatically broke with his attempts to support the government as he said Boris Johnson must listen to what his own scientists called for – and lock down for a fortnight

Keir Starmer today demanded a two- to three-week “circuit breaker” lockdown as he accused the Government of “losing control” of coronavirus.

In a major change of policy, the Labour leader broke the fragile national consensus on tackling the disease as he demanded Boris Johnson adopt the drastic measure.

In a bleak echo of the March lockdown, it would mean pubs, restaurants and shops closing, the public asked to stay at home, non-essential offices shutting, travel for essential workers only, and Parliament operating virtually.

Socialising would also be banned with anyone outside your household or bubble. Schools would largely be on their half-term break so children would not miss out, Sir Keir claimed.

The Labour leader said firms that shut should be compensated so “no business loses out”, though he did not spell out the details of exactly how.

He also failed to say what a circuit-breaker might cost but insisted: “The cost of not doing this is going to far exceed the cost of doing it.”