Keir Starmer speaks out on governments handling of covid-19 outbreak

The transcript discusses the rise in infection rates, possibly due to a new variant, and criticizes the government's response. It highlights the new variant's impact on young people and its spread in the Midlands and North. The need for a safe school reopening plan with mass testing is emphasized, along with skepticism about the effectiveness of current restrictions.

How did the speaker characterize the new variant of the infection?

What was the speaker's opinion on the effectiveness of the restrictions mentioned?