Deployment of the Covid vaccine in England will be led by Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi, No 10 has said.

The vaccine rollout is expected to begin before Christmas, subject to regulatory approval.

Mr Zahawi, MP for Stratford-on-Avon, was appointed by the prime minister to oversee distribution of the vaccine in England until at least next summer.

Currently a business minister, Mr Zahawi's primary focus will be on delivering the vaccine, with most areas of his business portfolio put aside.

Mr Zahawi will look after deployment of the vaccine in England only, but will work with the devolved administrations on their chosen approach. Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be responsible for the vaccine's distribution in their relevant nations.

Mr Zahawi's appointment follows calls from Labour for the government to appoint a vaccine minister, who would provide accountability and avoid repeating mistakes made over PPE procurement and NHS Test and Trace.

Shadow health secretary John Ashworth said: "Only days ago Labour called for a vaccines' minister to oversee the huge logistical challenge of widespread vaccination.

"We now need a mass public health campaign urging uptake of the vaccine, alongside ensuring the resources are in place for GPs and other health professionals to rapidly roll this out as soon as possible."

He's a busy boy. Doesn't he also host a quiz show https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1w...ng-combination