In this column, Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury gives his view on the government's 'roadmap' out of lockdown

Given that the number of people who have lost their lives to Covid-19 now stands at over 121,000 and we have the deepest economic downturn of any G7 country, PM Johnson's new cautionary tone to the transition out of lockdown is more welcome.

But a number of elements concern me. An international travel and a partial ban were only put in place on February 15, nearly a year from the start of the pandemic. Contrast this with New Zealand, Taiwan and Australia. The death toll in those countries is very low by comparison.

A better way for schools to return would be phased from March 8. Given the opening of mass vaccination centres school community staff should be prioritised. The Chester Racecourse centre has the capacity to do even more jabs than it is currently doing if the supply side is stepped up.

Beyond the statement yesterday afternoon I spoke to a number of businesses in our community.

Ryan from the Queen's Head in Frodsham was disappointed that the announcement did not include details concerning economic support for businesses as many, particularly in the hospitality and leisure sector, will remain shut for some time to come as part of the necessary public health restrictions.

And as Keir Starmer pointed out - proper support needs to be provided for the 3 million self-employed who have been hung out to dry over the last year.

The PM says we must wait for next week's budget but companies are running out of cash and desperate to know if the Business Rates holiday will be extended, whether the VAT cut will be extended as well as furlough.

Low paid workers, many working in the care sector, need financial support if they are required to self isolate. Sick pay and the current rigid self isolation payment system must be fixed while the uplift in Universal Credit maintained.

A roadmap informed by evidence, driven by the continued scaling up of the vaccine rollout, cautious but with sufficient support for people and business will see us through.

Full details of the roadmap can be viewed on the GOV.UK website