[ad_1]
Andy Burnham has denied being privately assured that Greater Manchester is “likely” to be downgraded to Level 2 on December 17, as he called for more business support.
A story in the Sunday Times suggests that the government has told the mayor that the region will exit Tier 3 when the ratings are reviewed next month.
But Mr Burnham issued a clear denial this morning of having received such a promise and instead asked for a “significant review” to challenge the decision.
“Not true,” the mayor tweeted in response to a query about the story from hotel manager Thom Hetherington.
In fact, the mayor has written to the 27 parliamentarians in the region asking for the support of all parties to demand more money for the areas in Level 3 blockades.
Greater Manchester’s 2.8 million residents, along with much of the rest of the north, will be under Level 3, the highest level of restrictions when England’s national lockdown ends at midnight on Tuesday.
(Image: Getty Images)
Burnham said he wants more financial support from the government for Tier 3 areas when the issue is debated in Parliament on Tuesday.
He also said that on current infection trends in Greater Manchester, the area will be in a similar position to many areas that have been placed at Level 2.
Although the Government has indicated that it is unlikely to make any major changes to the date of the first review within fifteen days, Mr. Burnham has requested a “significant review” to challenge the decision.
He said: “The government continues a policy of imposing severe regional closures without providing enough support to compensate for the damage to jobs and businesses.
“This is a deliberate leveling act of a government that was elected just a year ago with the promise to do just the opposite.
“It simply cannot be right or fair that Tier 1 Cornwall and the Isle of Wight are receiving the same level of business support as cities like Manchester, Leeds and Hull.
“Parliamentarians representing Level 3 areas on all sides of the House must come together and demand a much fairer package of support from the government.”
“For companies that support hospitality, December is traditionally the most important month of the year.
“Taking that away without compensation will be devastating for them and many will not survive until the new year.”
The government has said that discretionary business grant funds will not be increased or extended after the new tiered system is introduced.
The grant was awarded to all local authorities at the beginning of the national shutdown to support businesses affected by the restrictions but did not obtain grants from elsewhere.
It means places in Level 3 will not receive more such funding than other areas entering Level 1 or 2, the mayor said.
Mr. Burnham wants the areas with the highest level of restrictions to receive a monthly business support grant tied to the number of businesses affected in any area, rather than simply the number of residents.
While Greater Manchester’s infection rate remains above the England average, cases are now declining there faster than any other region in England and there are signs that pressure on hospitals is easing, the mayor said.
Data released Wednesday showed the GMO infection rate is now the lowest since late September, dropping 45% in the past two weeks compared to a 39% drop in the Northwest and a 13% drop in England.
In London, during the same period, the infection rate increased by 17%.
Get the latest news first on the free Manchester Evening News app; download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a summary of the most important stories delivered directly to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter – subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.
[ad_2]
