Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the public in Wales have consistently been subjected to more restrictions than our English counterparts, while a wide variety of Welsh businesses have had to contend with more frequent closures or limitations than their equivalents across the border.

Nevertheless, according to the latest set of official figures, the death rates with Covid-19 as a contributory factor are higher in Wales than in any of the other UK nations.

The current rates per 100,000 of the UK population with death certificates that mention Covid-19 as one of the causes since the start of the pandemic are as follows:

285 - Wales
257 - England
225 - Scotland
207 - Northern Ireland

Just three of the nine regions in England have a higher rate than Wales. They are the North West (311), the North East (297) and the West Midlands (286).

Surprisingly, London has a substantially lower rate than Wales (233), while the rate for our near-neighbours in the South West is much lower still at 167.

So, more restrictions for the Welsh public and Welsh businesses, and yet a higher rate of deaths with Covid-19. What do you believe are the reasons for this situation?