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Greater Manchester remains in Tier 2 for now as decision to upgrade postponed
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No conclusion has been made between northern leaders and Number 10 regarding pushing Greater Manchester into Tier 3.
According to reports, no decision has been made on whether or not Greater Manchester should be moved to Tier 3.
Political editor for the MEN, Jen Williams has reported: “GM leaders told there will be no imminent decision announced to the house this morning in GM.”
She added: “Ed Lister is saying it has to be sorted today but the decision is to made by others. And there will be no imminent decision or announcement made about GM in the house this morning.”
Jen added that another meeting is set to take place later today to confirm with Greater Manchester leaders what will happen.
She explained that leaders were told: “rising rates overall are worrying and there’s a lag on the infections travelling up the age brackets. Even if we stopped everything today, we will continue to see hospitalisations increase for the next two to three weeks.”
Jennifer added: “Let’s not kid ourselves here: govt is PILING pressure onto GM to accept and it’s likely to happen anyway. But they *haven’t actually imposed anything as yet*. (They don’t want to impose.)”
The news conference to be held by Manchester leaders Andy Burnham, Sir Richard Leese and Baroness Beverley Hughe at 11am has been called off for now, according to Sky News.
Beth Rigby, political editor for Sky News wrote on Twitter: “Call just finished between GM leaders and No 10. And no conclusion has been made about putting GM into Tier 3. Further meetings will take place today. My understanding is Hancock will NOT make announcement on GM in HoC later.”
She added that while she was waiting for the planned statement from Andy Burnham and Sir Richard Leese outside Manchester central library the statement is now postponed. She said: “No decision made on GM into tier 3 from call between [sic] local leaders and No 10”.
More updates are likely to come throughout the day.