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Boris Johnson will outline a NEW THREE-tier system of coronavirus restrictions on Monday, as the strict measures are expected to lead to the closure of pubs and restaurants in the north of England.
Johnson will reveal all the details of the long-awaited approach in a statement to the House of Commons, following criticism of the government for failing to keep MPs properly informed of the changes.
The news comes after the prime minister’s top strategic adviser, Sir Edward Lister, wrote to northern MPs after a meeting with northern leaders yesterday to warn them that it was “very likely” that the region would be affected by more rules. strict.
The British government took steps to pave the way for tough new restrictions by saying that workers in bars, restaurants and other businesses forced to close will have two-thirds of their wages paid by Whitehall in a financial plan announced by the Chancellor yesterday.
Rishi Sunak said that expanding the Job Support Scheme would protect jobs and provide “peace of mind and a safety net” for individuals and businesses across the UK ahead of a “difficult winter”.
In the letter to parliamentarians in the north, Sir Edward stated that “the increasing incidence in parts of the country means that certain local areas are very likely to face additional restrictions.”
He added: “The government will discuss a set of measures with local leaders, all of which present difficult options.”
The talks will continue through the weekend.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told BBC Radio 4 Any Questions: “Our focus … will be to have simple national rules, some ground rules to be implemented when the infection rate rises worryingly in a particular place, but also greater freedom for those local areas to design new measures, together with us. “
After meeting with government officials, West Yorkshire council leaders wrote a joint letter to the Chancellor in which they stated: “We are concerned about rumors in the media that they could be pushed to Level 3 of a new system that will be introduced, without any discussion or consultation, or without adequate economic measures in place to support affected individuals and businesses.
“Another blockade will have a devastating effect on our towns and urban centers and on the regional economy in general. It will result in a leveling off of our region and undo the good work we have done over the last decade to improve the lot of our people. “
The measures came as a further 13,864 laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases were reported yesterday in the UK, and 87 more deaths of people who died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus were confirmed.
Nottingham has the highest rate in England, with 760.6 cases per 100,000 people, a huge jump from 158.3 per 100,000 in the seven days to September 29.
Knowsley has the second highest rate, which has gone from 391.1 to 657.6 per 100,000, while Liverpool is in third place, where the rate has also risen dramatically, from 419.0 to 599.9.
Separate figures suggested that coronavirus cases are doubling roughly twice as fast in the North West, Yorkshire and the West Midlands as in all of England.
Sunak insisted that the new support was “very different” from the permit, which he previously refused to extend, arguing that it was “fundamentally wrong” to keep people in jobs that only existed within the scheme.
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But mayors in northern England said the new measures did not appear to go “far enough” to avoid “real hardships, job losses and business bankruptcies this winter.”
The support, which launches on November 1 and runs for six months, will see the government pay two-thirds of each employee’s salary, up to a maximum of £ 2,100 per month, if their employer is legally obliged to close their facilities. due to restrictions.
Businesses will be able to claim the grant when they are subject to restrictions and employees are out of work for at least seven consecutive days. Venues that are already legally closed, such as nightclubs, will also be eligible.
Employers will not be required to contribute to wages, but will be required to cover national insurance and pension contributions.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, North Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll, Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram used a joint statement warning that aid may not be enough.
In Scotland, licensed pubs and restaurants in five health council areas (Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley) were forced to close for all services except 16-day take-out starting at 6 pm on Friday.
While in North Wales, new coronavirus restrictions are being introduced in Bangor following a sharp increase in cases, the Welsh government announced.
As of 6 pm today, people will not be allowed to enter or leave the area without a “reasonable excuse” and will only be able to meet people they do not live with outdoors, he said.
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