Thread by @VictimOfMaths

This graph illustrates the madness of the current local lockdown restrictions across the UK.

Bolton, where restrictions were lifted this morning (against the wishes of the council) has the highest rate of new cases in the past week of anywhere in the UK.

Restrictions remain in place in Calderdale (14 cases/100,000 in the last week) but were relaxed last Wednesday in Rossendale (54 cases/100,000).

New restrictions were introduced today in West Dunbartonshire (25 cases/100,000), Glasgow City (20 cases/100,000) and East Renfrewshire (22 cases/100,000) while there are no restrictions in Corby (46 cases/100,000) or Belfast (41 cases/100,000).

Some of this is down to different approaches being taken by the devolved administrations - Scotland appears to be being more cautious, for example.

And there are more factors to consider than just the rate of new cases (which is also a function of testing).

But there is absolutely no coherence here.

Why do we *still* not have clear criteria for when local restrictions should come into force and clear communication of what those restrictions will be?

Why are decisions about local restrictions being made at national level, but responsibility for testing and controlling any outbreaks sits with the Local Authority?

Local outbreaks aren't new - Leicester provided a clear warning that they could happen and that we didn't have a robust plan in place to deal with them over 2 months ago.

That we are apparently still just making it all up as we go along is completely unforgivable.