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Much of the north of England is heading towards level 3 lockdown, confirmed Matt Hancock.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the Health Secretary updated MPs on the places in the UK that have already entered the highest level of restrictions: Liverpool and Lancashire.
He also spoke about the dispute between Whitehall and Andy Burnham over the changes in Manchester.
But Hancock also confirmed a broader list of places where cases are on the rise, and talks have begun about dipping them into Level 3.
He confirmed that talks had started with local leaders in South and West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, North East and Teesside.
“Following the successful introduction of measures in Liverpool and Lancashire, talks continue this afternoon led by the Secretary for Communities with Greater Manchester, and further discussions are planned this week with South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, North East and Teesside,” he said. . told the deputies.
(Image: PA)
Mr Hancock said there is “growing evidence of the debilitating consequences of prolonged Covid” and warned of rising rates of the virus among older people in the UK.
The Health Secretary told the Commons: “Cases continue to rise among those over 60, who are the most likely to end up in the hospital or worse.
“I am very concerned that the number of cases per 100,000 among those over 60 years of age is 401 in the Liverpool city region, 241 in Lancashire and in Greater Manchester has increased over the last week from 171 to 283.”
Hancock said the government is “working hard” to secure a Level 3 deal with Greater Manchester.
(Image: Getty Images)
It came as Downing Street escalated its war of words with Greater Manchester, warning that the region’s intensive care capacity could be overwhelmed by Covid-19 within a week.
Projections produced by the government suggested that Manchester hospitals are at risk of being overwhelmed on November 12.
The prime minister’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “Cases in Greater Manchester continue to increase.
“In the 60+ age group, cases have tripled in the last 15 days of full data: there were 89 cases per 100,000 on September 27 compared to 282 per 100,000 on October 12.
“Hospital admissions in Greater Manchester are doubling every nine days.”
(Image: PA)
Currently, the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care is around 40% of that observed at the peak of the first wave.
When asked if that meant hospitals were overwhelmed, the spokesperson said: “Yes, that’s the entire ICU capacity for augmentation.”
The prime minister’s official spokesman said talks with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and local leaders were continuing.
“If possible, we want to constructively engage with Greater Manchester and agree on a way forward,” the spokesperson said.
But if an agreement cannot be reached, the government will have to intervene “to protect the hospitals and save the lives of the residents.”
The comments came after ministers insisted that Greater Manchester’s coronavirus status will end in a few days, either with a deal that could generate tens of millions of pounds in additional funding for the region or with the imposition of harsh restrictions. by Westminster.
(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Greater Manchester leaders have been reluctant to move to Level 3, which would require pubs and bars to be closed as part of a tough package, but Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said it was time for “decisive action” .
He said that a variety of support had been offered to the region, including “more resources for local councils,” greater involvement in contact tracing and the potential use of the military to assist local authorities.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has pushed for a Commons vote to break the “impasse”.
Senior Conservatives, including the influential 1922 committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, have backed the mayor of Greater Manchester in his resistance to Level 3 for the region.
Mr Burnham called on MPs to help workers and companies suffering the most severe restrictions through an urgent debate this week, warning that “this is not just a Greater Manchester problem.”
Jenrick said there were “productive” negotiations with Greater Manchester, but Monday’s talks would be the “final discussions”.
“Now we have to bring these talks to a conclusion and take decisive action,” Jenrick told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
“We have established the action that we believe is appropriate, but we are also ready to continue and have final discussions with the council leaders and the Mayor of Greater Manchester today to see if we can reach an amicable agreement.”
The Liverpool city region received a £ 44 million package as part of its Tier 3 measures, but Greater Manchester wants broader support, including a leave scheme that pays 80% of the wages of affected workers.
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