The Prime Minister is at loggerheads with Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, with the latter describing talks with Number 10 as “constructive”, fuelling speculation about an impending deal, the Telegraph reported. Mr Burnham yesterday accused the Government of “exaggerating” the health emergency – but cabinet minister Michael Gove hit back, telling Sky’s Sophy Ridge Mr Burnham should stop “posturing”.
READ MORE: Brexit climbdown – Theresa May’s deal ‘designed to let UK rejoin EU’
Senior Conservatives, including the influential chairman of the 1922 committee, Sir Graham Brady, are thought to have backed the Greater Manchester mayor in resisting Tier 3 for the region.
Mr Brady, the MP for Altrincham and Sale West in Greater Manchester, told BBC Radio 4 the region’s Labour and Tory MPs were “pretty united” in opposing Tier 3.
A leaked Greater Manchester Critical Care Network document has indicated two hospitals, the Stepping Hill Hospital and the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, are at full capacity.
Additionally, the Royal Bolton Hospital has 94 of its beds allocated.
In a letter to party leaders, Mr Burhnam said “clear national entitlements” similar to during the first lockdown were vital to creating the “sense of fairness” to ensure compliance with new restrictions.
“Most places” will end up in Tier 3 at some point before a vaccine is rolled out, he said.
He added: “We recognise the uncertainty that this is causing and write to ask for your help in breaking the impasse and finding a fair resolution.
“We recognise the uncertainty that this is causing and write to ask for your help in breaking the impasse and finding a fair resolution,” Mr Burnham said.
“This could be done by Parliament calling an urgent debate and vote this week to establish a cross-party consensus on what constitutes a fair financial framework for people in areas under Tier 3 restrictions.”
Liverpool was given nearly £50 million in exchange for agreeing to tier three status, providing extra money for local businesses and for an enhanced test and trace system.
Greater Manchester, which has double the population of Merseyside, is thought to be in line to get double that figure.
[SCROLL DOWN FOR REGULAR UPDATES]
DON’T MISS
Coronavirus BOMBSHELL: Inquiry finds MPs in Parliament ignored curfew [INSIGHT]
Jeremy Corbyn HUMILIATION: Former Labour leader flouts COVID rules [ANALYSIS]
Sweden on lockdown: Country to bring in local shutdowns to fight COVID [VIDEO]
7.55am update: Jenrick ducks question over Manchester financial settlement
Asked if he had offered Manchester a bigger financial settlement, Mr Jenrick said: “I have offered, in discussions that we have had, a range of different things that local leaders would like.
“Whether that’s greater control over local tracing, whether it is use of the armed forces, whether it is more resources for local councils.
“We want to put together a package of measures that will actually work.
“I do think it is very clear that having now discussed this for well over a week this does now need to be brought to a conclusion.
“I think everybody in Greater Manchester would agree with that.
“So, I am hopeful that either today, or tomorrow, we will reach a conclusion, one way or the other.”
7.52am update: Close pubs at 6pm, says scientist
Pubs need to close at 6pm as part of tightened COVID-19 restrictions, a Government scientist has said.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam reportedly believes there is little to support suggestions the current 10pm closure time is effective.
The Government’s deputy chief medical officer is thought to have made his observation during a private briefing on Greater Manchester’s current lockdown situation during which ministers tried to persuade Mayor Andy Burnham to accept tier 3 restrictions.
Asked whether 10pm curfews made a difference to transmission rates, Professor Van-Tam is believd to have said: “Not really. I’d prefer 6pm, or even earlier.”
