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Northern leaders have accused Boris Johnson of intimidating them into agreeing to tougher Covid restrictions as the tier system turned into chaos.
Lancashire became the second area to be subjected to the strictest restrictions, but the heads of the council claimed that the prime minister threatened to withhold financial aid if they refused.
And Johnson warned Greater Manchester that he would impose Level 3 sanctions on the region unless they abandon their opposition.
Liverpool leaders, already under the toughest restrictions, spoke out of their fury after Lancashire was allowed to keep gyms and leisure centers open while ordered to close.
Blackpool Council Director Lynn Williams said Lancashire had been pushed up the ladder without adequate financial support.
(Image: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
He warned that the plan that pays 67% of wages “is not enough” and that many throughout the county receive the minimum wage.
Ms. Williams added: “Basically, we had to accept this deal or we wouldn’t have received a share of anything. And we also ran the risk of more companies entering the closed list.
“We agreed reluctantly. We were intimidated into this. “
Pendle council leader Mohammed Iqbal said: “Downing Street has intimidated Lancashire leaders into agreeing to a deal that all parties know is not enough to stop the virus.”
Preston’s board chief Matthew Brown added: “They put a lot of pressure on us. Basically, they told us that if we don’t take the deal, they would treat us less favorably for it. That is bullying, basically. Do what they tell you. And if you rebel, you are isolated. “
The dispute between Greater Manchester and Downing Street escalated when Johnson insisted that he would intervene if Burnham did not place the region at Level 3, despite offering no help other than the job retention scheme. Graffiti in Manchester city center appeared overnight with the warning No.10: “The North is not a Petri dish.”
The prime minister said at a press conference: “On recent trends, in just over two weeks there will be more Covid patients in intensive care than at the peak of the first wave, so I urge the mayor to reconsider and participate in a way. constructive.
“I cannot emphasize enough: time is of the essence. Every day that passes before action is taken means that more people will go to the hospital, more people will end up in intensive care and, tragically, more people will die.
“If an agreement cannot be reached, I will have to intervene to protect Manchester hospitals and save the lives of its residents.”
But the leaders argued that the measures, which prohibit socializing indoors and outdoors, would not protect the NHS but could kill businesses.
And they said they had been waiting for conversations with the number 10 that never materialized. In a statement, they said: “We are not convinced that closing hospitality venues is the only way to protect hospitals.
“We want to consider other measures, such as reestablishing protective arrangements and introducing stricter instant shutdown powers in pubs, restaurants and shops that do not comply with the rules.
(Image: Press Association Images)
“We strongly believe that protecting health is more than controlling the virus and requires adequate support for the people whose lives would be seriously affected by a Level 3 lockdown.
We do not believe that the current proposals provide adequate support and that is why we await further talks with the Government.
Mr. Burnham demands a financial rescue for the companies and up to 80% support for the affected workers.
Regions affected by the most severe restrictions also face the closure of pubs that do not sell food. Casinos, bingo halls and gambling shops are among the other businesses ordered to close.
But Liverpool leaders were furious after Lancashire gyms were told they could stay open.
When Merseyside entered Tier 3 on Wednesday, those facilities had to close.
In a joint statement, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and the leaders of the six counties said: “We simply will not accept that our region is treated differently from other Level 3 areas.
These inconsistencies run the risk of undermining the system from the start.
“We are again demanding that the government urgently provide us with the scientific evidence that supports its decision.”
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson described it as an “inconsistent mess” and said there were now “Level 3A and Level 3B” categories.
The UK death rate increased yesterday by 136 to 43,429. And Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance warned again that the tier system may not be enough to stop the rise.
Some parts of the Northeast were granted a week-long respite to move to Level 3 after it was understood that local leaders had successfully argued that the increase in the infection rate was slowing down in the region.
A meeting between Nottingham ministers and MPs was canceled at the last minute, amid speculation that the city could move to Level 3 restrictions.
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