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Matt Hancock has announced that he is launching a “leak investigation” into inaccurate information reported about Greater Manchester’s move to a Level 3 lockdown.
There was widespread confusion and chaos on Thursday morning when national media reported that the region would immediately face stricter rules, but this was not the case.
Last-minute talks between the government and leaders in Greater Manchester raged throughout Thursday after Downing Street lobbied for the region to enter Level 3 measures that would force pubs and bars to close unless they serve food.
The region has been under a local lockdown since the summer, but coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Parliamentarians have asked for evidence to support the proposed measure. A key point is the additional funding that would be made available if tougher lockdown measures are imposed, with Mayor Andy Burnham threatening to take legal action if Level 3 restrictions are imposed without full financial backing.
In a private meeting Thursday morning, MPs and council heads criticized the plan and the way Downing Street and the Health Department have handled it.
But reports emerged from national journalists that Greater Manchester had received Level 3 restrictions after Number 10 officials reportedly reported it while the talks, which did not result in an agreement, were still ongoing.
So far, no agreement has been reached on the region’s lockdown status, and Matt Hancock said discussions were ongoing between the region and the government on Thursday afternoon and a decision was expected later in the day. Follow the updates live for the rest of today here.
And speaking in the Commons on Thursday morning, the Secretary of Health announced that he was investigating how the dispute was made public.
What do you think of the coronavirus lockdown system? Let us know below
Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) of Labor said: “I am a bit confused because on Monday the Secretary of State gave his valuable time to MPs in Greater Manchester and confirmed Level 2 with a four week review. This was Monday.
“He had the unanimous support of all Greater Manchester matches. As (William Wragg) has said, every day it has been reported in the press that we were moving to Level 3, so I thank the Secretary of State that (Health Minister Helen Whately) announced today that there will be a leak investigation by the department.
“Today again there was complete unanimity on Level 2 in Greater Manchester. Come on, minister, confirm it and you will have our full support. “
Mr Hancock replied: “What I would tell you is that I have launched a leak investigation into the leaks around some of the information in Greater Manchester.
“That, of course, will have to cover both the national and local governments. But there is something more important, however, which is the need for people to come together to take the necessary steps to get this virus under control. “
He added: “Sadly, in Greater Manchester the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise, the number of cases among those over 60 continues to rise, the number of hospitalizations continues to rise, and therefore further action is required.
“And I hope that we can come up with the kind of inter-match agreement that we have had in London and that local leadership in Manchester can work with us to find a solution because it is critical that we get this virus under control.”
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