A testing day in the sense the Government in its wisdom decided to ram through its tax rise in one day. I'm afraid I was not for turning and voted against the hike in NI at Third Reading at the end of a long day. My speech is on the website. Nine other colleagues did likewise and several others abstained. The aim of this rise, to pay for the NHS backlog and social care, was admirable, but I feared we would repent at leisure when these billions of pounds disappeared into a black hole. I began the day in a meeting of the CRG, where we discussed the Government's plans for tackling Covid during autumn and winter in England. The PM warned the disease "remains a risk". The plan includes booster jabs for millions - but holds in reserve measures like vaccine passports for certain settings. "Plan A" is designed to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed, and promotes vaccines and testing. "Plan B", to be used if the NHS is coming under "unsustainable pressure", includes measures such as face masks. In my view, all restrictions should now be lifted and, if the Government wants to reinstate any, it should have to come back to the Commons to seek our permission. We also learnt that Covid booster jabs would begin to be offered across the UK from next week. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he had accepted advice from the JCVI that around 30 million people should be offered a third dose - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have followed suit. The booster should be given at least six months after a second dose - with the Pfizer jab recommended. Those eligible include over-50s, younger adults with health conditions and frontline health and care workers. Finally, China's ambassador to the UK was told he could come to Parliament while sanctions remain in place against a number of MPs and peers. Zheng Zeguang was due to attend a Commons reception on Wednesday, hosted by the all-party group on China. But, after protests, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord McFall ruled this out. The Chinese embassy said it was a "despicable and cowardly" decision that would harm both countries' interests. Right decision.