Anger is still growing within Greater Manchester over claims that moving to Tier 3 without sufficient financial help from Government would leave thousands in poverty, and would not substantially stop the spread of Coronavirus.
With conversations between Northern Leaders and the Government consistently being described as ‘furious’, these tensions clearly came to the forefront in Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s, statement yesterday afternoon.
He said: “That was our conclusion from the No10 meeting this morning: they are willing to sacrifice jobs and businesses here to try and save them elsewhere.
“Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City-Region and Lancashire are being set up as the canaries in the coalmine for an experimental regional lockdown strategy as an attempt to prevent the expense of what is truly needed.”
“We aren’t going to be pushed around any more.”
He also stated that he has been told by Chief Medical Advisor Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, that this Tier Three action would not bring the cases of infection down.
Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City Council Leader said: “Tier 3 – being asked to do something that even the government’s own advisors say are unlikely to work, increased restrictions with inadequate support – feels like the worst of all worlds.”
The most recent statement from the Northern Leaders issued this morning states clearly that the northern Mayors of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and North Tyne are united in their demand for an 80 percent furlough scheme before they will accept the Tier Three status.
It says: “This is a fight for what is right.”
Andy Burnham has also threatened legal action action on the grounds of discrimination against the government, but Health Secretary Matt Hancock has stated very clearly this morning that the government are legally able and willing to enforce Tier Three across the North if support cannot be achieved.
In an interview with BBC News, Hancock asked Northern Leaders to: “Set aside this party politics.”
He added: “This is a time for people to come together so we can control this virus.”
But this statement does little to inspire unity with Westminster from Northern Leaders, many of whom are criticising the Government for confusing the nation by releasing key information to the media, before announcing it officially or even telling Northern MP’s.
The initial leak to the press regarding Greater Manchester being placed into Tier Three was on the evening of Thursday 8, last week, with still no clarity on the situation from the Government as of now.
This morning, it has been reported that Lancashire have come to an agreement with Government, to be placed into the Tier Three category, without any clear indication of increased financial support.
Included in this agreement are Blackpool, Blackburn and Fleetwood, meaning pubs and restaurants will close across these areas as they succumb to the highest level of restrictions.
In an interview this morning regarding Greater Manchester, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We do need to see action.
“I would much rather not impose things, I’d much rather that we were able to work out something together with local authorities, with the Mayor in Manchester, but it’s up to local leaders to show the kind of leadership that we have seen in Liverpool, in Lancashire, and in London.”
In his statement to the nation today at 4pm, the Prime Minister reiterated that an agreement has still not been reached with Greater Manchester, and stated that he will enforce the measures if necessary.
He said: “I urge the Mayor to reconsider and engage constructively.
“Of course, if agreement cannot be reached, I will need to intervene.”
It seems that this row between The North and Westminster will continue until a final decision is made, and quite possibly continue long after.
Unrest and anger is still growing within Greater Manchester and throughout the North at increasing claims that placing these areas into Tier 3 without sufficient financial help from Government would not only leave thousands in poverty, but also would not substantially stop the spread of Coronavirus.
With conversations between Northern Leaders and the Government consistently being described as ‘furious’, these tensions clearly came to the forefront in Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s, statement yesterday afternoon.
He said: “That was our conclusion from the No10 meeting this morning: they are willing to sacrifice jobs and businesses here to try and save them elsewhere.
“Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City-Region and Lancashire are being set up as the canaries in the coalmine for an experimental regional lockdown strategy as an attempt to prevent the expense of what is truly needed.
“We aren’t going to be pushed around any more.”
He also stated that he has been told by Chief Medical Advisor Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, that this Tier Three action would not bring the cases of infection down.
Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City Council Leader said: “Tier 3 – being asked to do something that even the government’s own advisors say are unlikely to work, increased restrictions with inadequate support – feels like the worst of all worlds.”
The most recent statement from the Northern Leaders issued this morning states clearly that the northern Mayors of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and North Tyne are united in their demand for an 80 percent furlough scheme before they will accept the Tier Three status.
It says: “This is a fight for what is right.”
Andy Burnham has also threatened legal action action on the grounds of discrimination against the government, but Health Secretary Matt Hancock has stated very clearly this morning that the government are legally able and willing to enforce Tier Three across the North if support cannot be achieved.
In an interview with BBC News, Hancock asked Northern Leaders to: “Set aside this party politics.”
He added: “This is a time for people to come together so we can control this virus.”
But this statement does little to inspire unity with Westminster from Northern Leaders, many of whom are criticising the Government for confusing the nation by releasing key information to the media, before announcing it officially or even telling Northern MP’s.
The initial leak to the press regarding Greater Manchester being placed into Tier Three was on the evening of Thursday 8, last week, with still no clarity on the situation from the Government as of now.
This morning, it has been reported that Lancashire have come to an agreement with Government, to be placed into the Tier Three category, without any clear indication of increased financial support.
Included in this agreement are Blackpool, Blackburn and Fleetwood, meaning pubs and restaurants will close across these areas as they succumb to the highest level of restrictions.
In an interview this morning regarding Greater Manchester, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We do need to see action.
“I would much rather not impose things, I’d much rather that we were able to work out something together with local authorities, with the Mayor in Manchester, but it’s up to local leaders to show the kind of leadership that we have seen in Liverpool, in Lancashire, and in London.”
It seems that this row between The North and Westminster will continue until a final decision is made, and quite possibly continue long after.
More information to follow.
