downing street
But Downing Street spokesperson says Boris Johnson would not have made similar comments.
"It’s a metaphor for an entire year of Covid incompetence," he told Question Time.
Ex-chief adviser says increase followed 2019 general election and was unconnected to Covid crisis.
Downing Street reassurance comes as European Medicines Agency agrees the jab is safe.
Press secretary Allegra Stratton swerves question on why the PM cannot pay for his own furniture and wallpaper.
Labour have questioned the government's priorities, describing the renovations as a "vanity project".
Taxpayers' money has been lavished on questionable PPE contracts, Brexit preparations and other "vanity projects".
The education secretary Gavin Williamson is presenting the coronavirus briefing from Downing Street, where he is expected to give more details on the government's plans to return children to school and make up for lost learning.
Downing Street made the promise in January – but we've only had three in the last two weeks.
