Holding a press conference to make his attack on the Government’s plan, he accused Boris Johnson of “taking a gamble” with the higher lockdown, warning scientists remained unconvinced the measures would work.
Mr Burnham said: “Today we communicated our clear and unanimous view to the Government. It is wrong to place some of the poorest parts of England in a punishing lockdown without proper support for the people and businesses affected.
“To do so will result in certain hardship, job losses, business failure.
“It will cause harm in a different way to people’s mental health and is not certain to control the virus.
“Last night the deputy chief medical officer told the leaders that to bring the infection rates down any regional lockdown would require widespread closures way beyond pubs to stand any real chance of working.”
MPs and local politicans have been united in fighting Westminster’s attempts to introduce fresh curbs in Manchester.
More to follow…
