Why has the daily briefing changed?

[2anddone]

I have looked through the threads and can't find an answer so apologies if I am asking the same question someone already has asked!!
Since Monday I have noticed the daily briefing has changed. The Government official (last 2 days has been Matt Hancock) has gone through the slides not the scientists. The scientists are literally only stood there in case there is a question to ask (plus it has been the same man the last 2 days who I don't recognise not Whitty or Van Tam or the other one).
Also the use of the transport graph has now disappeared (though possibly because more are back at work) and I don't think the R rate has been mentioned since Friday.
Anyone know why there has been a change in the daily briefing?

[Whattodowhattodooo]

Going to change even more as they announced yesterday they are soon to only be on a Saturday and Sunday. Not too sure of the rationale behind it. Although getting sick and tired of the same old questions from the media spring to mind, as does not wanting to be held accountable/hiding also spring to mind!!

[Letseatgrandma]

I thought they were NOT going to be doing it on a Saturday or Sunday?

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

They are stopping the weekend briefings as they have low ratings. Daily ones will still continue.,

[Graciebobcat]

A daily briefing seems unnecessary now. Once a week would be fine.

[Whattodowhattodooo]

I was with my mum yesterday (back garden) and she had her Ipad with her as she was expecting a video call and she had an alert and she went "Oh, daily briefings are stopping and only doing them on a Saturday and Sunday" didn't think to ask where it came from. 🤷‍♀️

[BrokenBrit]

Many of the scientists are unhappy with how the government are proceeding and have spoken out against them. They probably don’t want to be a mouth piece for the ministers anymore .

[BrokenBrit]

It is the weekend briefings which are stopping all together. Due to low ratings apparently, as if this were Eastenders .

[Snog]

I think there is increasing dissent, frustration with and criticism of the government's handling of the crisis thus they don't want to give airtime to the criticism.

[2anddone]

I hadn't heard that. Think we should still get briefings during the week while death/r rate remains quite high as soon as they stop people will see it as another sign things are 'back to normal' and break lockdown rules even more!

[Hugglespuffed]

The weekend ones are usually a bit pointless anyway, they show the figures (which we can all see online/ on the news) and then don't really discuss much about coronavirus, more like transport in London i think I saw once etc... Still important of course, but would only target a small amount.

[Notejode]

Once a week is enough.

[JudyCoolibar]

They don't want scientists saying anything off message, e.g. that the rules always did apply to Dominic Cummings.

[oralengineer]

Probably the scientists are well and truly pissed off with the stupidity and repetitiveness off the media questions.

[StrawberryJam200]

They aren't showing the R rate any more. On 10 May BJ told us only when it went down from 4 to 3 would lockdown easing (schools opening more widely etc) happen. It is still at 4. Lockdown easing is happening apace.

Draw your own conclusions.