Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Cornwall at Perranporth Haven

Mr Johnson was at Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park in Perranporth, on the first of two stop-offs in the Duchy to speak to the media.

The Packet will bring full coverage of the second later this evening.

During the first visit Mr Johnson vowed that the Government would "match all the funding that Cornwall got under the EU" after speaking about the £7.8 million it is giving to Cornwall Newquay Airport.

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Mr Johnson: “Well, we’re of course, we’re going to match all the funding that Cornwall got under the EU and here at Newquay Airport, you can see the investment we’re putting in for improving the apron and improving the infrastructure for the G7 summit, which is coming in in June.

“And that’ll be of lasting benefits to Cornwall of about £7.8 million we’re putting in; I think £92 million we’re putting in all together, I think we announced just last year for Cornwall.

“And of course, we will continue to fund all sorts of fantastic projects, from investing in the Cornish dairy industry to improving connectivity in Cornwall, improving the roads, investing in the whole of the greater South West. That’s what this Government is determined to do.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park in Perranporth. Picture: Tom Nicholson/PA

He went on to add that the Government "believe passionately" about connecting the south west, saying: "And not only will we be investing in long-term infrastructure for this airport here in Newquay, but we’re going to make sure that there is a public service obligation so that Newquay Airport is properly connected, Cornwall is properly connected with London and other destinations."

In response to another question he added: "We’ve always been clear that all the EU funds, the Objective 1, all that stuff would be replaced with a pound for pound by, and more, from central government in the UK, of course.”

During the visit Mr Johnson also commented on the news this afternoon that people under the age of 30 will be offered an alternative Covid-19 jab to the AstraZeneca vaccine, after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) found that while the benefits of the jab still outweigh the risks, as people under 30 are at less risk of coronavirus they should be offered an alternative jab.

It is after it concluded in a review that while there is still no proof that the jab was the cause of blood clots, it conceded that the link was getting stronger.

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When asked how much it could set back the current 'road map' of lockdown lifting if under-30s do not receive this make of jab, Mr Johnson: “I think the crucial thing on this is to listen to what the scientists and the doctors, medical experts have to say. The MHRA is meeting the JCVI – the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation – they’ll be setting out the position and we will get on with rolling out the vaccine.

“And obviously we’ll follow very carefully what they have to say, I think everybody should listen carefully to what they have to say. So will we.

“But we’ll get on with rolling out the vaccine programme and to answer your question, absolutely directly, I don’t think that anything I have seen leads me to suppose that we will have to change the road map or deviate from the road map in any way.”

The Prime Minister speaks with staff during a visit to Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park. Picture: Tom Nicholson/PA

And in response to a question about reassure people that the AZ vaccine is safe, Mr Johnson said: “Well, I think, obviously, we believe it to be safe.

“But the crucial thing for everybody is to listen to what the scientists, the experts, the medical experts have to say later on today, they’ll be setting out the exact medical position, follow that advice, and that’s what the Government will be doing.

“But we’ll be getting on with rolling out the vaccine programme. As you know, we’ve done I think three fifths of the adult population of this country now. And you know, you can really start to see some of the benefits of that in the, it’s pretty clear that the decline in the number of deaths, the decline in the number of hospitalisations, is being fuelled, is being assisted, the steepness of that decline is being helped by the rollout of the vaccines.

“And so it is very important for everybody to continue to get your jab when you’re asked to do it and get your second jab when you’re asked to come forward for your turn.”

Boris Johnson during his visit to Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park. Picture: Tom Nicholson/PA

Finally, with regards to Covid certificates, he said: “I’m here in Cornwall, we’re going to be looking at the opening of the holiday lets sector, which will be opening up from Monday, as well as beer gardens, shops are going to be open and we’re going to be talking to some of the shopkeepers. Nobody’s going to need any kind of certificate to go into a shop – and the same applies to May 17, when we’re going to be opening restaurants, inside restaurants, inside pubs, all that if we can continue, as I hope we can, with the road map that we have set out. No plan for any kind of certificate there.

“But clearly, it is going to be responsible for any government to look at the possibility of making sure that we can continue to open up all sectors of the economy in a safe way down the rest of this year and, you know, we will look at all possibilities.

“But I have absolutely no doubt that we will continue with the road map that we set out in a safe and secure way, but nobody should think that there’s any need for certificates of any kind, either on April 12 or May 17.”