atton MP Esther McVey has said it is 'utterly unjustifiable' to sack NHS workers who aren't vaccinated – especially as the jabs 'had a minimal impact on transmission'.

The Conservative MP was speaking today (Wednesday) during Prime Minister's Questions.

Her statement in the House of Commons came just a day after Cheshire East Council's head of adult social care said the impact of the mandatory vaccination 'will have a real impact on our ability and health's ability to deliver care'.

Ms McVey welcomed the review of the Plan B measures announced by the Prime Minister but said: "I too want to question, on behalf of the 100,000 NHS workers, the mandatory vaccination.

"Given the chief medical officer told MPs the vaccinations had a minimal impact on transmission, isn't it the case now there is no reason at all for mandatory vaccinations for care workers and NHS staff?

"Over the last two years these people have worked tirelessly on the front-line and we have clapped these key workers. Can the Prime Minister now make sure that he doesn't sack them? It is utterly unjustifiable."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson replied: "The NHS fully supports the policy out of consideration for patient safety and I would just repeat what I said to several members, I really think it's the duty of healthcare professionals to get vaccinated."

On Tuesday, at a meeting of Cheshire East Council's adults and health committee, Jill Broomhall, the council's operational director of adult social care, said the impact of the compulsory vaccination would be significant for health and social care across the borough.

"The impact of the mandatory vaccination that comes in on April 1, which is around front-line health stuff, domiciliary care staff, social workers as well, that will have a real impact on our ability, and health's ability, to deliver care," said Mrs Broomhall.

"So we are writing to all of our staff because they need to have their first vaccination by I think it's February 3 or to have a medical exemption, so there will be significant impact across the board – health and social care – on that compulsory vaccination for front-line health and care staff."