LONDON — Boris Johnson will arrange a brand new Downing Road supply unit headed by Emily Lawson — the NHS director answerable for the U.Ok.’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Lawson might be seconded to the full-time position this summer time, with an skilled civil servant appearing as its head within the interim, the prime minister’s official spokesman mentioned Wednesday.
Johnson, whose authorities has gained reward for its vaccines program however been criticized for different elements of its dealing with of the pandemic, commissioned a overview of presidency supply earlier this 12 months amid frustration at No. 10’s capability to make progress towards key coverage goals.
The overview was led by Michael Barber, who created and led former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair’s personal No. 10 supply unit, and Downing Road mentioned Barber will present assist as the brand new unit will get up and working.
The brand new staff might be made up of each current civil servants, in addition to auditors and knowledge scientists. It can work intently with No. 10, the Cupboard Workplace, Treasury and different authorities departments “to additional enhance coverage supply and guarantee we’re delivering on our commitments swiftly,” the spokesperson added.
Johnson, the spokesperson mentioned, believes the brand new set-up provides “good strategy to have a small centered staff” engaged on his priorities.
The announcement comes after No. 10 confirmed it was ditching plans for televised, White Home-style press briefings regardless of spending £2.6 million on a refurbished briefing room.