Matt Hancock has fanned a wave of confusion over the government’s instructions to elderly people during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Health Secretary last night rubbished reports that healthy over-70s were among the ‘clinically vulnerable’ who had been told to shield for 12 weeks.
But he later published a link to NHS guidance which puts all over-70s, regardless of medical condition, into the ‘clinically vulnerable’ category.
His remarks were branded ‘contradictory’ and further drew accusations of ‘re-writing history’ because Boris Johnson said over-70s should brace for 12 weeks indoors.
A GP even urged Mr Hancock to delete his tweet, branding it ‘incorrect’ and ‘confusing’.
Sources said the minister was referring to the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ – a different category who have been sent letters urging them to practice shielding.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick was later drawn into the furore as he was accused of ‘moving the goalposts’ by claiming that Mr Hancock had initially used this term.
It comes as many elderly fear being left behind when the government begins loosening restrictions.
Mr Hancock fired off a flurry of tweets hitting out at a Sunday Times article which described doctors’ concerns for the wellbeing of over-70s, who they said were under a ‘blanket ban’ from leaving their homes.
Matt Hancock has fanned a wave of confusion over the government’s instructions to elderly people during the coronavirus lockdown
Government advice lists over-70s with no medical conditions as clinically vulnerable people
Responding to the ‘false’ report, the minister said: ‘The clinically vulnerable, who are advised to stay in lockdown for 12 weeks, emphatically DO NOT include all over 70s.’
He added: ‘We have strongly advised all over 70s to follow social distancing measures.
‘However, there is no ‘blanket ban’, and the suggestion that the clinically vulnerable include people aged 70 or older regardless of medical conditions is wrong & deeply misleading.’
Yet he later posted a link to the NHS guidance which specifically puts all over-70s in the ‘clinically vulnerable’ category, regardless of any underlying issues.
And advice published by the government on May 1 describes ‘aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)’ as clinically vulnerable who ‘should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household’.
Sources said Mr Hancock’s tweets referred to the 1.28million ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ who were sent letters telling them to practice social shielding.
Mr Hancock fired off a flurry of tweets hitting out at a Sunday Times article which described doctors’ concerns for the wellbeing of over-70s, who they said were under a ‘blanket ban’ from leaving their homes
A GP even urged Mr Hancock to delete his tweet, branding it ‘incorrect’ and ‘confusing’.eet as it was highly confusing
The Health Secretary’s clumsy language prompted his cabinet colleague Robert Jenrick to clarify.
The Communities Secretary tweeted: ‘An important clarification: the ‘shielded’, those identified by the NHS as extremely clinically vulnerable, does not mean all those over 70.’
Mr Hancock took aim at the Sunday Times’ suggestion that over-70s were in the group who were initially told to isolate for 12 weeks.
But people pointed out Boris Johnson’s Downing Street address on March 16 lumped the over-70s with those suffering the most serious health problems.
The Prime Minister then said: ‘In a few days time, by this coming weekend it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12-weeks.
‘Again, the reason for doing this in the next few days rather than earlier or later is that this is going to be very disruptive for people who have such conditions.’
‘This advice about avoiding all social contact is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions.’
The Department of Health has been approached by MailOnline for comment.
Baroness Ros Altmann has said a requirement for older people to remain in lockdown longer as restrictions are lifted for the rest of the country would be ‘age discrimination’.
Speaking to Sky News, she said: ‘Using an age-based criteria would be fundamentally wrong and could potentially cost the lives of many people, and risk social unrest.’
The life peer and former work and pensions minister added that ‘many’ older people have told her ‘they would rebel and they would risk going to prison’ if they were asked to isolate for longer than the rest of the population.
People pointed out Boris Johnson’s Downing Street address on March 16 lumped the over-70s with those suffering the most serious health problems