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The government faced a furious backlash from Greater Manchester today over reports that the chancellor will announce increased financial support for businesses under Level 2 Covid-19 restrictions.
Boris Johnson was charged with a “north / south” split just a week after London was put into “high alert” status.
Currently, businesses like pubs in Level 2 areas like London and Birmingham do not benefit from the same government support as Level 3 ones, including business grants and higher wage grants, because they can remain open.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the region has been on “high” alert for three months, but the hotel sector here has not received any emergency financial support.
(Image: Vincent Cole Manchester Evening News)
His remarks followed reports that Rishi Sunak will offer financial support for businesses in Tier 2 regions during an economics statement later this morning.
The Chancellor was reportedly discussing moves with business leaders at breakfast meetings.
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Civic leaders questioned whether Greater Manchester’s support should be retroactive.
Mr Burnham said on Twitter: “It is fair to say that I will be looking closely at this announcement.
“Greater Manchester has been on ‘high’ alert for THREE months, but our hospitality companies have had no emergency assistance.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
“We asked that this be taken into account in the Level 3 negotiations. The government refused.”
Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell said Burnham had requested Tier 2 support for businesses.
She told the Manchester evening news: “I fully recognize the challenges for businesses in what is now Tier 2 because here in Greater Manchester, our businesses have been struggling to cope with that for almost three months.
“I hope that any additional support provided by the Chancellor, it is recognized that this needs feedback for Greater Manchester companies that have been on their knees.”
Ms Powell tweeted about the proposed announcement: “Well, if more support comes, it is badly needed and overdue.
“I really hope that any additional support for Level 2 is retroactive in areas, like Greater Manchester, that have been under Level 2 for months.”
Wigan MP and shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy tweeted her anger.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
She said, “This is amazing.
“Not for a moment do I regret the help for London business, but this is the same chancellor who refused to help Greater Manchester as we lived with these restrictions for months and said it was ‘unfair’ to other areas when we asked for help.
“Don’t ever forget this.”
Sacha Lord, the night czar of Greater Manchester, also took to Twitter.
He said: “Greater Manchester has actually been on Level 2 for over 10 weeks.
“London has been on Level 2 for a week.
“Now I read that the Chancellor is meeting with business leaders to see what additional help can be done for Level 2.
“Hopefully ours is earlier. North / South Division.”
Greater Manchester will move to Level 3, ‘the very high alert level’ on Friday, meaning pubs and wet bars will be forced to close.
But local lockdown restrictions, in effect Level 2 measures, have been in place here since July 31.
The same restrictions went into effect in London on Saturday.
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