Matt Hancock blames Greater Manchester row for how new tiers will now be decided

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 3,800 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.Behind the Covid-19 death statistics that we publish each day are human beings who all had stories to tell.

direct to your inboxThe latest coronavirus infection rates demonstrate a widening gap between northern and southern boroughs in Greater Manchester.Public Health data from the week ending December 6 shows that boroughs which lie south of the city now have an infection rate lower than the national average.It comes as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the disparity in rates could see the conurbation split up into different tiers when the government come to review the system next week.He

direct to your inboxA senior Manchester Arena boss has issued a public apology to the mother of one of the 22 victims of the 2017 bombing atrocity.Two policing experts, meanwhile, have outlined to the public inquiry into the attack a series of criticisms they have found relating to security in place on the night.John Sharkey met with Figen Murray, Martyn Hett's mother, on December 8, 2017, seven months after the bombing.At the meeting, arranged by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham,

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I AM, formerly the Autistic Society of Greater Manchester, says they have heard of delays approaching three years.

where he outlined the rationale behind each of the three revised tiers.The tougher system, which which will see harsher measures taken against the hospitality industry, will come into force on December 2.Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he wasn't surprised to see the region placed into Tier 3, due to a rate of infection standing higher than the current national average.

coronavirus restrictions has led to a chorus of disapproval from Andy Burnham and many of the region's MPs.

Andy Burnham wants Greater Manchester to be moved into Tier 2 within a fortnight if the region's coronavirus infection rate continues to fall.The Mayor was reacting to the government's decision to place the region in Tier 3, the highest category of restrictions under the new system due to take effect on December 2.It means all hospitality venues will have to stay closed except for takeaway and delivery services.Other areas with high infection rates, including Liverpool and London, have been

government announcing this morning that Manchester will be placed in Tier 3 when national lockdown ends on December 2, the mayor says the 'halfway house approach' taken to lockdown is partly to blame.Reacting to the news that the region now faces the toughest measures for at least another fortnight, he told the Manchester Evening News: "It was a personal view and maybe not everybody's view, but I think schools should have been included in the national circuit break, because actually it would

coronavirus lockdown ends.

Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Salford City will continue to play games behind closed doors without fans in attendance. But should the restrictions be relaxed across Greater Manchester, then fans across the region will be permitted to return to their respective stadiums.

Andy Burnham says it is ‘more likely than not’ that Greater Manchester will be put into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions despite falling infection rates.The mayor is expecting that the new measures, due to be shared with leaders tomorrow, will be applied consistently across the city-region.But the government has been urged to look at Greater Manchester’s position in two weeks when the first review of the revised arrangements takes place.There are widely-held expectations that almost

Grant Shapps had appeared to blame the row for Greater Manchester's high coronavirus infection rates.

hereLast month Andy Burnham and other local leaders spent two weeks negotiating with the government for better financial support to help businesses that would be forced to close, the self-employed and others who lose income, before Tier 3 was eventually imposed. Mr Shapps responded by saying 'individual negotiations' last time led to rates not being 'gotten on top of as quickly as possible'.He said that Liverpool, which agreed to Tier 3 'quite quickly' had seen cases come down quickly and called

at the latest Greater Manchester press conference, Mr Burnham said the hospital situation may be stabilising but stressed it is ‘early days’ in terms of positive trends.

Andy Burnham has warned against the introduction of ‘permanent’ coronavirus restrictions once the national lockdown ends.The mayor of Greater Manchester says talks are underway between local leaders and the government about what will happen after December 2.Changes to the national tiered system of restrictions were being considered according to Mr Burnham, though he admitted that it was likely that the city-region would remain in Tier 3.In their decision-making the government has been urged to

night time economy recovery plan has been released by the region's night tsar Sacha Lord, mayor Andy Burnham, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.