A wary Greater Manchester prepares for trench warfare with ministers over lockdown

A minister has suggested that gyms will be closing in Greater Manchester as he wrongly explained Tier 3 rules in Lancashire.Speaking on Sky News, communities secretary Robert Jenrick said he believed Greater Manchester would have to close its gyms as it adopts the same lockdown model as Lancashire.In fact, gyms in Lancashire are allowed to stay open under Tier 3 restrictions - but in Liverpool, which is also under a Tier 3 lockdown, they are closed.Asked by Kay Burley what the situation in

7am: Andy Burnham describes ultimatum as 'provocative'Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says it is “provocative” of the Government to tell local leaders they have until midday on Tuesday to agree to Tier 3 restrictions or face unilateral Government action.He tells BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The late-night ultimatum briefed to the media was a slightly provocative move … but I’m going to try to be positive and respond, and see if we can find a way forward.”8.30am: Accusations that the

Coronavirus cases in Greater Manchester have risen by 4pc week-on-week, according to latest figures, as the region prepares to enter 'Tier 3' of the lockdown system.Tougher new measures, such as the closure of pubs and other venues, will be introduced in the region from Friday at 00.01am.People will also be banned from meeting other households indoors and in most outdoor settings.More than 2,000 cases of the virus (2,162) were confirmed in Greater Manchester today - only the third time that

Should Greater Manchester be in Tier 3? Have your say in the comments belowOne of the main changes in Tier 3 is that pubs and bars which do not serve food will close.They can only stay open if they operate as if they were a restaurant - which means serving 'substantial meals', such as a main lunchtime or evening meal.

Should Greater Manchester be in Tier 3? Have your say in the comments below The pot available in Greater Manchester totals £3.7m a month, according to Altus, unless local authorities are able to top it up through any hardship funding that may be subsequently made available.The Government will also support businesses by paying two thirds of each employees’ salary (or 67%), up to a maximum of £2,100 a month.Suppliers such as breweries will not be entitled to anywhere near the same level of

coronavirus cases.

So how long will Tier 3 restrictions last for? The new three-tier system announced by the Prime Minister last Monday sees the country split into either Tier 1, coronavirus alert level 'Medium', Tier 2 - 'High', and Tier 3 - 'Very High'.Boris Johnson said that restrictions in medium and high alert areas will be kept under 'constant review,' and could change at any time."We will also keep these measures under constant review, including a four-week sunset clause for interventions in very high

How do you feel about being moved into Tier 3 lockdown? Let us know in our survey below...Currently, the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care is around 40 per cent of that seen at the peak of the first wave.

Prestwich just three weeks ago. What do you think? Have your say in the comments section here But in just a few hours time Mike and his staff will learn what their immediate future holds as the Government prepares to impose stringent new coronavirus controls on 2.8 million people in Greater Manchester after talks with local leaders failed to reach agreement.

coronavirus, The Guardian reports. But Andy Burnham said on Monday morning that "nothing's changed" as far as he is concerned and his continues to push for protection for "low-paid workers, people who are self-employed and supporting businesses and preventing them from collapsing."As for whether there will be an announcement today, communities secretary Robert Jenrick told BBC Breakfast: "We have had productive discussions in Greater Manchester over the weekend.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has said 'nothing's changed' after it was confirmed 'extra resources' have been offered during Tier 3 negotiations with the government.A cabinet minister said he was hopeful of agreeing a deal 'today or tomorrow'.Housing and local government secretary Robert Jenrick this morning (Monday) said 'extra resources' have been offered during negotiations between the government and local leaders, which he said had continued over the weekend and had been

Greater Manchester may be offered millions in extra funding to accept the strictest coronavirus restrictions as Boris Johnson seeks to prevent a lockdown revolt and mayor Andy Burnham presses for a Commons vote to break the “impasse”.The Labour mayor was said to have had a “constructive” conversation with the Prime Minister’s chief strategic adviser, Sir Edward Lister, over the weekend and further talks have been scheduled for Monday.Senior Conservatives, including the influential chairman of

an incandescent and inconclusive meeting with Downing Street on the previous Friday evening.

message was clear to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and his colleagues.If an agreement cannot be reached, Mr Johnson said he would intervene to 'to protect Manchester's hospitals and save the lives of Manchester's residents'."I urge the mayor to reconsider and engage constructively," he said."I cannot stress enough, time is of the essence.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by following the

had exposed hundreds of vulnerable people to 'potential risk of harm'. Following a series of M.E.N.

coronavirus in the north west, the health secretary has said. Matt Hancock made the claim in response to comments from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who accused the government of treating the region as a 'canary in the coal mine'.

hereInstead he was pushed repeatedly on both the science behind the move - and why it is more effective than a national circuit break - and the lack of an acceptable financial package, although he made clear that discussions were not over.At the end of the meeting, according to someone in the room: “Ed Lister is saying it has to be sorted today, but the decision is to made by others.