The government has scrapped plans to enforce vaccine passports for entry into venues with large crowds, the health secretary has said.
A scheme was set to be introduced by the end of the month forcing nightclubs and other businesses hosting large events to make sure punters were double-jabbed.
Sajid Javid said he was ‘pleased to say we will not be going ahead with [the scheme’ after the government reviewed evidence on its potential effectiveness – although he did not rule it out as a possibility in the future.
He added: ‘We shouldn’t be doing things for the sake of it.’
The scheme was fiercely opposed by industry figures who said it would harm businesses trying to recover from the pandemic.
The Night Time Industries Association previously said it would cripple the industry and burden businesses with discrimination lawsuits.
The government faced opposition from many of its own backbenchers on the issue, while the Lib Dems blasted the plan as ‘divisive, unworkable and expensive’.
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Javid said: ‘I’ve never liked the idea of saying to people you must show your papers or something to do what is just an everyday activity, but we were right to properly look at it.
‘We’ve looked at it properly and, whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option, I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports.’
A formal announcement on the matter by Boris Johnson is expected on Tuesday.
The apparent U-turn comes after the government’s science advisers concluded vaccinations would be an effective first line of defence against any further waves of cases this winter.
That advice is also believed to have prompted a decision to scrap the government’s powers to introduce another lockdown.
Mr Johnson is expected to announce next week that parts of the Coronavirus Act, which allows ministers to shut down sections of the economy in England and gives police the ability to enforce restrictions, are to be repealed.
He will host a press conference next week laying out the ‘next phase’ of the pandemic strategy, including a decision on how booster jabs will be rolled out.
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.