Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds leaders join forces to warn hospitality sector faces 'complete decimation' unless lockdown rules change

Today programme on BBC Radio 4 this morning (Monday) after a leaked document revealed that some of the region's hospitals are already full. Hospitals in Salford, Stockport and Bolton were at maximum capacity by Friday due to the resurgence of coronavirus infections, it claimed.

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

straight to your inbox every day, freeFormer Liverpool man Steve Nicol has criticised Anthony Martial and claimed Marcus Rashford is a better centre-forward.The Frenchman came under fire from Paul Scholes in recent days, with the former United midfielder claiming Martial 'conned' supporters into thinking the club did not need to sign a striker during the transfer window."These forwards are exceptionally talented lads.

straight to your inbox every day, freeFormer Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp feels sorry for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire following his first-half red card for England against Denmark.Maguire was shown two yellow cards in the opening 30 minutes of the Three Lions’ Nations League clash at Wembley.

negotiating with the government to keep the region out of the strictest 'tier 3' measures.Millions of people in the City of Liverpool region are to be subjected to the highest level of restrictions with bars and gyms expected to close.There could also be limits on travel and social contacts.Earlier today Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: "The demography of Liverpool is very different to that of Greater Manchester."We recognise there are

confusion and anger over the government’s plans for the conurbation.

coronavirus status amid new tiering rules being announced today.

straight to your inbox every day, free The Premier League could be reduced to 18 teams in a radical shake-up reportedly being driven by Manchester United and Liverpool. Both clubs are said to be the driving force behind what the Telegraph report is called ‘Project Big Picture’ - a proposal to revolutionise English football.

John Cooper Clarke is set to head out on a UK tour new spring – see the dates below.The tour, billed ‘I Wanna Be Yours’, shares the name of the poet’s new autobiography, which is set to come out next week (October 15).The tour dates begin in mid-May at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester, include a date in London at the Hammersmith Apollo, and finish in May in Manchester.Tickets for the shows go on general sale next Friday (October 16) at 10am BST.A bit of news from John… grab your tickets from

Greater Manchester's nightlife chief has blasted the government's 'arrogant ignorance' as he set out urgent proposals to save the sector.Sacha Lord has warned that the country's £70bn night time economy will 'perish' under the current conditions, which he labelled an 'existential threat' to the industry.The Night Time Industries Association, of which he is a board member, says nearly half (45 per cent) of nightlife businesses it surveyed will make more than 60 per cent of their workforce

straight to your inbox Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has ruled out a summer move for Manchester United winger Daniel James.The Yorkshire side had been weighing up a possible deal to sign the Wales international before deadline day but now look like they will turn their attentions elsewhere. MEN Sport revealed earlier in the week Leeds managing director Angus Kinnear attended United's Carabao Cup win at Luton, where James was an unused substitute.

straight to your inboxHere are the Manchester City morning headlines for Saturday, October 3Pep Guardiola finally has options to choose from in his Manchester City defence ahead of Saturday’s game at Leeds United.M.E.N.

hereSir John Saunders, a retired High Court judge, is leading the inquiry which is examining events before, during and after the attack, including the radicalisation of Manchester-born Abedi, to see if lessons can be learned.It resumes on Monday and is expected to continue into the new year.

M62 smash happened near Goole, East Yorkshire, on April 3.Police were called to reports a caravan transporter smashed through the central reservation and into an oncoming black Lexus car. The driver of the Lexus, Nigel Eley, 41, from Urmston, and passenger John-Paul Cassidy, 37, who lived in Chorlton, both died.

Manchester Arena attack - who was only evacuated from the scene more than 40 minutes after the bombing - told a paramedic: "I'm going to die, aren't I?", a public inquiry has heard. John Atkinson, 28, was not taken from the blast site for 46 minutes, before being carried on a cardboard advertising hoarding to a casualty clearing station.

straight to your inbox John Stones misses his second Manchester City game of the week after not being deemed fit enough for the matchday squad against Leicester City. The English defender started alongside Nathan Ake on Monday night against Wolves as Pep Guardiola's side got their season off to an excellent start with a 3-1 win at Molineux.