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The hope that some regions may emerge from the highest levels of coronavirus before Christmas appears to be fading today.
The vast majority of areas are expected to remain at their current level of restrictions when the results of the first review are announced.
Despite hopes that some places like Leeds and Greater Manchester could be downgraded, the figures suggest that the overall rate of coronavirus is increasing in England.
Boris Johnson had raised the hopes of some MPs that their areas would drop one notch on the first review date when he originally laid out plans for the controversial system.
The vast majority of areas are expected to remain at their current level of restrictions when the results of the first review are announced. In the picture: People in London before level three restrictions
But the cases have continued to rise, and London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire have climbed one notch.
Conservative MPs are likely to receive the news angrily. Many are concerned about the economic damage from strict restrictions, particularly at Level Three, where hotel companies are forced to close. Meanwhile, almost nowhere in the country is on Level One, the only level below which indoor domestic mixing is allowed.
Many MPs and business leaders have also been disappointed by the lack of an official assessment of the economic costs of the tiered system and have called for a radical rethinking of the entire strategy.
But the cases have continued to rise, and London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire have climbed one notch. In the photo: Students in Soho, London
The review of levels will take place today and it is very likely that the movements will be confirmed tomorrow.
Yesterday’s figures show that Covid-19 cases are increasing in more than three-quarters (78 percent) of all local areas in England over the past week.
A total of 246 out of 315 local authority areas saw a weekly increase in the seven days through Dec. 11, according to Public Health England.
This includes all London boroughs, 42 out of 45 local areas in the East of England and 66 out of 67 local areas in South East England.
Yesterday’s figures show that Covid-19 cases are increasing in more than three-quarters (78 percent) of all local areas in England over the past week. In the photo: drinkers in London before level three restrictions
In North West England, where rates had previously been falling across most of the region, the latest figures show they have risen in almost two-thirds of the areas.
When unveiling the current tier system at the end of November, the Prime Minister said: ‘By using these tougher tiers and using rapid response tests on an ever-increasing scale … it should be possible for areas to move down the (level) scale to lower levels of constraints. ‘
But Tory MP Steve Baker, leader of the Covid Recovery Group of lockdown skeptics, said: ‘The current strategy to combat Covid is clearly not working. If it were, today we would be talking about areas moving down the levels.
A total of 246 of the 315 local authority areas saw a weekly increase in the seven days through Dec. 11, according to Public Health England. In the photo: drinkers in Soho, London
“We must end the devastating cycle of repeated restrictions and closures, regain the support and trust of the public and start living sustainably again.”
Leeds was expected to be demoted to Level Two after Health Secretary Matt Hancock hinted at this on Monday. Hilary Benn, a Labor MP from Leeds Central, said cases had dropped from more than 400 per 100,000 to less than 140.
Greater Manchester was also hoping to drop one notch. Mayor Andy Burnham said the region had a “strong case” for exiting Level Three.
Greater Manchester was also hoping to drop one notch. Mayor Andy Burnham (pictured) said the region had a ‘strong case’ for exiting Level Three
But government sources said the review would take into account the areas and regions of local authorities, rather than individual cities and towns.
Hancock also wrote to Tory MPs to tell them that any further breakdown of areas was difficult, ruining the hopes of tens of thousands of residents in little-infected towns and villages who hoped to be able to ‘uncouple’ from surrounding coronavirus hot spots.
A government source said: ‘As the prime minister stated in November, we will review each local authority area and each region against the five indicators that we publish in our Covid Winter Plan. We will also consider local views to build the most accurate picture of what is happening on the ground. ‘
… but Sunak declines the ransom out of hospitality
By Daniel Martin, Policy Editor
Rishi Sunak will reject a request from the Mayor of London for a bailout for the capital’s hotel industry after it sank to Level Three.
Sadiq Khan demanded additional support for pubs and restaurants amid fears that 150,000 jobs will be lost in London after being subjected to the most severe restrictions.
He asked the Chancellor, in the photo, to establish a compensation plan that would guarantee to recover all lost income for the holiday season based on last year’s statements.
Rishi Sunak (pictured) will reject a request from the mayor of London for a bailout for the capital’s hotel industry after it sank to Level Three.
But the Treasury said that Sunak had already announced its support for hospitality companies and that the funds offered would not be increased.
One source said: “We have put in place £ 280 billion worth of support in this pandemic to protect millions of jobs and businesses. The licensing scheme has been extended until March and companies can apply for government-guaranteed grants and loans, as well as enjoy VAT holidays and reduced commercial rates. ‘
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Monday that he was forced to place London at Level Three along with parts of Essex and Hertfordshire in a bid to curb the “ steep and exponential increases ” of the coronavirus across all ages. .
UKHospitality warned that 150,000 jobs could be at risk if pubs and restaurants were forced to close in the capital.
Sadiq Khan (pictured) called for additional support for pubs and restaurants amid fears that 150,000 jobs would be lost in London after being subjected to the most severe restrictions.
Theater bosses said the new rules, which will also force them to close venues, will be “devastating.”
Khan said: ‘I don’t want London to be on Level Three for one day longer than necessary. I am extremely concerned about the negative impact that the additional restrictions will have on jobs and many companies that are already struggling to stay afloat.
“We now urgently need much more government support for the sectors of our economy that are hit the hardest, including hospitality, culture and entertainment.
“It is critical that ministers urgently establish a compensation plan for all lost revenue, based on last year’s statements, for any businesses affected by the additional restrictions during this crucial holiday period.”
