No deal has been agreed following today’s meeting which means Boris Johnson looks set to impose Tier 3 on Greater Manchester.
A last-ditch attempt from Andy Burnham today to agree a deal with the government regarding tighter restrictions in Manchester has ended without an agreement.
Communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, said following the meeting: “I’m disappointed that despite recognising the gravity of the situation, the mayor of Greater Manchester has been unwilling to take the action that is required to get the spread of the virus under control in Greater Manchester and reach an agreement with the government.
“I have therefore advised the prime minister that these discussions have concluded without an agreement.”
(1/2) I’m disappointed that despite recognising the gravity of the situation, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has been unwilling to take the action that is required to get the spread of the virus under control in Greater Manchester and reach an agreement with the government.
Andy Burnham and Boris Johnson have reportedly spoken on the phone today but the details of the conversation have not been shared.
Currently, it is understood that the government offered Greater Manchester £60m financial support, £15m short of Andy Burnham’s proposals.
Boris Johnson is set to hold a press conference today at 5pm, followed by a statement in the House of Commons at 7pm from health secretary Matt Hancock.
Earlier today Jenrick warned that the prime minister would have to intervene if no deal is made by the midday deadline.
Hearing govt was willing to offer Greater Manchester 60m to support biz under Tier 3, but GM side wanted to push to 65 – now limits being imposed and region will get less than 60m – not clear yet what the amount on offer will be
The Guardian reports that the talks today ‘dramatically collapsed’ barely two hours before Boris Johnson is set to hold a national press conference at Downing Street announcing the new restrictions.
They added that Jenrick ‘abandoned the negotiations after several hours of haggling with Andy Burnham’.
The Greater Manchester leaders reduced their request to £65m but this was rejected by Jenrick shortly after 2pm, killing the negotiations.
Boris Johnson has insisted that it is vitally important to have a deal agreed with local leaders to improve compliance of restrictions and to ensure they support the strict public health measures.
If Tier 3 is imposed in Greater Manchester some pubs and bar plus betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and soft play areas will close for at least 28 days. It is not clear yet when this will come into force.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed a man is due to appear in court charged with the murder of a mum from Gorton, as her family pay tribute to their beloved daughter.
Charlene Mills, 43, died following an incident in Hyde Road on Saturday, September 30th.
Officers were called to the address at around 11.20am after receiving reports regarding the concerns for the welfare of a woman.
Emergency services attended the scene, but Charlene sadly died. A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Greater Manchester Police
Peter Pitt, 52, of Hyde Road, Manchester, has been charged in connection with Charlene’s death.
Pitt is remanded in custody, due to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today, (Monday October 2nd).
Yesterday, Charlene’s family paid tribute to her, saying she was ‘beautiful inside and out’.
Her family said: “We are so deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Charlene. She was beautiful inside and out and had a personality that would bring a smile to the faces of all that knew her, no matter what the situation.”
#CHARGED | A man has been charged in connection with the death of Charlene Mills on Saturday 30 September.
Peter Pitt, (22/12/1970), of Hyde Road, Manchester, has been charged with murder.
The tribute continued: “Charlene, or Char as we all knew her, was the most perfect daughter and big sister to Amber. She loved being a mum and idolised her son Rydell and dog, Boxer. “
“She was strong-willed, kind, and cheeky, overcoming so many obstacles in her life. The world just won’t be as fun without her, and our treasured memories of Char are the only little pieces of comfort we have.
“We are heartbroken and still coming to terms with this devastating news. We are extremely grateful for the messages of support and to those who have paid their respects by laying flowers.
Professional dancer Amy Dowden thanked her Strictly co-stars as she paid an emotional visit to the BBC set following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
The 33-year-old was forced to pull out from the show following her diagnosis of stage three breast cancer back in May, soon after she had returned from her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.
Following the start of the new season, the star from Caerphilly, in South Wales, took to Instagram yesterday (October 1st) to share her love for her former colleagues and show support for them in the new show.
@amy_dowden / Instagram
She posted a collection of pictures to her Instagram page which showed her posing with the cast of the latest show alongside a message of support.
In the post on Instagram, Amy wrote: “Tune in tonight for the first results show of the series! The standard this year is insane. What a great two live shows so far.
“I was lucky to be able to be there for tonight’s opening number a few weeks back and all I can say is WOW! What another incredible number created by @jasongilkison.
@amy_dowden / Instagram
“It’s moments like this I need right now, escaping me from my now at the moment reality and I’m so thankful to the entire @bbcstrictly for this. Hoping to [be] back with the gang real soon.
“There’s no text book or right/ wrong way to deal with your cancer journey. Everyone deals with it rightly their way.
“I’m so lucky to be surrounded by so much support which I don’t take for granted and days like here is what keeps me going.
@amy_dowden / Instagram
“I’m dreaming every night of dancing on that floor again but right now I’m my fellow pro’s proudest and biggest cheerleader.
“Who’s your fav so far?! #strictlycomedancing #forevergrateful #strictlyfamily #support.”
Her family, friends and fans all dashed to the comments section to send her all the love and appreciation. Strictly dancer, Vito Coppola, said: “JUST LOVE YOU AMY. Waiting for you to come back with Us. I want to Hug youuuuu.”
Professional dancer, Dianne Buswelll, typed: “can’t wait for you to be back i miss you chewing my ear off with just classic amy chit chat.”
Strictly’s Jowita Przystał, added: “Love you, and we all miss you !!!”
While @meghan.rhodes_x, wrote: “That picture of you and Carlos tho. best friends for life.”
And @catherine3283, penned: “You were born to dance and dance again you will. With your positive attitude you will kick cancers butt and show it who is boss.”
The families of a schoolgirl and coach driver who were killed after their school bus crashed on Friday have paid tribute to their loved ones .
Children who were also on the bus that was involved in the accident, which happened about 8am on the M53 in Wirral on September 29th, are being offered support, a headteacher said.
Jessica Baker, 15, and driver Stephen Shrimpton, 40, died when the coach hit a reservation between J5 for New Chester Road to J4 for Brimstage Road.
Merseyside Police
The coach had been carrying more than 50 students from Cheshire to West Kirby Grammar School and Calday Grange Grammar School.
It was part of a convoy of school buses carrying other children, who witnessed the incident. The road was closed in both directions as all emergency services attended the scene, including air ambulance.
Four passengers were taken to hospital for treatment, including a 14-year-old boy who suffered life changing injuries. All patients remain in a stable condition.
Family handout
Stephen Gray, head teacher at Calday Grange Grammar School, told BBC Breakfast that today would be a ‘difficult day’ for all pupils and teachers travelling to school.
He said there would be specialist mental health support from the NHS and police in place at the schools all week to help pupils and staff come to terms with what has happened.
In a tribute, Jessica’s family described her as ‘warm-hearted and wonderful’ and said she was a ‘devoted sister and loyal friend’.
@SherinAkhtar / Twitter
They said she was a keen rock-climber and ‘her untimely death has led to a massive void in our lives that will never be filled’.
Mr Shrimpton’s family described him as a ‘loving husband and father’, and said he was a ‘caring and thoughtful man who would always prioritise others over himself’.
In a fundraiser for Mr Shrimpton’s funeral, his sister-in-law said the father-of-two had suffered a medical issue while driving, leaving behind his wife and children aged eight and four.
Police said post-mortem examinations were due to take place to establish the cause of both their deaths.