It is looking more and more likely that coronavirus restrictions will not be lifted on June 21 as scheduled.

Dubbed ‘Freedom Day’, all restrictions are meant to end on June 21. However, increasing case of the Delta variant of coronavirus means the reopening is likely to be delayed by four weeks instead.

The Government has had a four step programme out of lockdown, with the last step set for June 21.

READ MORE: The latest coronavirus news in Berkshire

The Government has hedged its bets, stating that restrictions would be lifted ‘not before’ June 21, allowing it to extend restrictions based on the latest coronavirus data.

Here is what Berkshire’s eight MPs have been saying prior to the likely delay of ‘Freedom Day’.

The delayed reopening has not been the first priority for all of our MPs, with some of them choosing to focus on the issues of climate change and violence against women and girls instead.

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East expressed concern over the news that a total of 44 people at the Penta Hotel in Reading tested positive for the virus.

The hotel has been managed by the Government as a Quarantine Management Facility.

He reacted by meeting Reading council leader Jason Brock and calling for people to get vaccinated.

Slough Observer: Reading East MP Matt Rodda has reacted to coronavirus developments in Reading. Reading East MP Matt Rodda has reacted to coronavirus developments in Reading.

Mr Rodda has also used Twitter to urge residents to take surge tests in Reading, Earley and Woodley, doing a test himself today (Monday, Jue 14).

Reading West MP Alok Sharma (Conservative) has made little statements about coronavirus, with most of his energies spent in his role as the President of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Sir John Redwood, Conservative MP for Wokingham has also been focusing on the issue of climate change. On his website John Redwood’s diary he has criticised orthodox opinions on climate change and the ‘double standards’ of leaders.

Laura Farris, Conservative MP for Newbury, has similarly not provided comment on the prospect of a delayed reopening. Instead, she has focused on bringing an end to violence against women and girls.

To tackle this issue, she said: “It is not just about passing new laws. It is about ensuring that the ones we already have are being properly enforced; that young people cannot access extreme content like “rape porn” with a few clicks on their mobile phones and that schools, colleges and unis are not simply turning a blind eye.”

Adam Afriyie, Conservative MP for Windsor, warned the Government not to ‘punish’ certain businesses which have been looking forward to reopening. He said: “I’d be deeply disappointed if we continue to punish our hospitality businesses, unless the data is absolutely categoric that hospitalisations are going to overwhelm the NHS.

“We must wait to see the full data but with about 75 per cent of the adult population vaccinated and all over 50s fully covered, it is hard to see  why unlocking should not continue according to the Government roadmap.”

READ MORE: Windsor MP says lockdowns have "small effect" on stopping Covid

James Sunderland, Conservative MP for Bracknell called for coronavirus restrictions to be lifted on the business, energy and industrial sectors.

He expressed this while questioning Paul Scully, the under secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

Mr Sunderland asked: “Our business, energy and industrial sectors are pivotal to our economy. Does the Minister agree that the best way of safeguarding jobs and livelihoods for our fantastic workers is to comprehensively ease all covid restrictions in these sectors, and will he please lobby No. 10 to that effect?”

Mr Scully replied: “Nobody wants these restrictions to go on a single day longer than they need to. We are in the middle of a frustrating period, with the decision to be made on the 14th of this month. We are looking at the data, and every day that goes by gives us a richer set of data to make the best decision for businesses.”

It is unclear whether he supports a full reopening. In April, Mr Sunderland voiced his support for the concept of vaccine passports, amid news vaccine certificates were being sold on eBay.

In a similar vein, Theresa May, former Prime Minister and Conservative MP for Maidenhead criticised the Government for restricting global travel.

During a speech in Parliament, Mrs May said: “We now have more than 50 per cent of the adult population vaccinated—it is a wonderful programme—yet we are more restricted on travel than we were last year. In 2020, I went to Switzerland in August and South Korea in September. There was no vaccine but travel was possible. This year, there is a vaccine but travel is not possible. I really do not understand the Government’s stance.”

READ MORE: Quarantine hotels: What you need to know

Meanwhile, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Labour MP for Slough has called for financial aid for stricken businesses. He said: “I appreciate many will feel extremely anxious about the Covid-19 roadmap changing from the planned schedule. The Government must ensure that whatever action they take, they are clear, transparent and definitive about public health measures. I support measures that will protect the public and our NHS.

“It would, however, be wrong for businesses to suffer due to this Tory Government’s poor handling of our borders and control of new variants. The businesses that will be impacted by this potential delay, including wedding businesses, live music, night clubs and the hospitality industry, must not be left in the dark. Financial support must be in line with public health restrictions.”

All MPs in Berkshire have been contacted for a comment.