THREAD: Northern council leaders and CEOs briefed by govt say that proposed tier 3 (highest level) of PM’s new COVID restrictions will run in 4 week blocks.

/1

Tier 3 would include:
-Pubs and bars closing
-No household mixing in/outdoors
-No overnight stays outside of area for residents
-No overnight stays within area for those who live outside
-No travel within or beyond area other than for essential reasons (work, education etc.)

/2

But under highest tier 3:

-Schools, FE colleges and universities remain open
-All retail remains open
-All other hospitality remains open BUT council can request closure

/3

Most concerning for some councils (and this may change), @RishiSunak's extra financial support would apply to Tier 3 only.

Therefore there would potentially be a perverse incentive for those on Tier 2 to move to Tier 3 to help out local businesses.

/4

Local leaders and CEOs say the govt are not yet clear at what COVID rate an area would move to Tier 3 and therefore when tightest lockdown measures would be imposed.

To be fair, this is probably because govt are still calculating the correct level.

/5

Labour political leaders in the north are meeting today (presumably virtually) to coordinate their response and strategy.

We also expect some Labour leaders to hold a press conference at 1230 via Zoom.

@AndyBurnhamGM is making a speech at @CoopParty conference at 1330.

/6

Always worth taking Labour criticism of govt with a pinch of salt, but this from one senior figure in the north is specific:

-Genuinely surprised at how under-developed plan is
-No agreement on tiering arrangements
-No sense of an exit strategy
-Loads more to do pre Monday

/7

LIVE: Northern Labour leaders press conference on proposed COVID restrictions is live on @SkyNews.

Gtr Manchester - @AndyBurnhamGM
North of Tyne - @MayorJD
South Yorks - @DanJarvisMP
Manchester CC - @SirRichardLeese
Liverpool CR - @MetroMayorSteve

Watch:

. @AndyBurnhamGM:

'We cannot accept' financial package from @RishiSunak. It is 'insufficient to protect our communities' going into the autumn and winter.

For many it isn't possible to live on 2/3rs of their wages

#COVID19

. @AndyBurnhamGM also argues new support scheme is 'too limited'. e.g. catering suppliers will be hit and staff not supported.

There is also 'no recognition' in @RishiSunak package for self-employed.

We won't 'surrender our residents to hardship in the run up to Christmas'.

Andy Burnham links a lack of govt support to people not following rules, arguing the financial support is ‘critical to get buy-in’.

But says if govt shift, this could be a ‘reset moment’.

#COVID19