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A tragic milestone in UK Covid-19 deaths

As the pandemic death toll passes 100,000 in the UK, Stephen Bush, Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea discuss how we got here.

On 27 January, the number of people in the UK who have died with Covid-19 passed 100,000. The UK has the fifth highest death toll in the world, and the pandemic has taken more British lives than the Blitz.

In this episode of the New Statesman podcast, Stephen, Anoosh and Ailbhe look at the mistakes that were made, how they might yet be countered, and what the electoral cost of the disaster will be when the country next heads to the polls.

Further reading

Stephen argues that the Prime Minister’s approach has led to many more deaths than might otherwise have occurred, and to unnecessary economic damage.

Nicu Calcea from the New Statesman data team writes on the tragic numbers of the Covid-19 crisis

Sophie McBain considers why we have not yet found a way to mourn loss on this scale

If you’re in the mood for more audio from the the New Statesman, listen to World Review, a weekly global affairs podcast from international editor Jeremy Cliffe in Berlin and US editor Emily Tamkin in Washington DC.

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