Matt Hancock will 'reflect' on Bolton's hospitality lockdown

Warrington ' where coronavirus cases are rising.

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'.

widespread confusion and chaos on Thursday morning as national media reported that the region would immediately face tougher rules, but this wasn't the case.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been urged to introduce a 'work out to help out' scheme to encourage physical activity for those in Tier 3 lockdown areas.It comes after gyms and leisure centres in the Liverpool city region were forced to close after the are was moved into Tier 3.Tory MP Caroline Johnson, who represents Sleaford and North Hykeham, suggested the initiative in the House of Commons on Thursday.It would be broadly based on the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme which launched in

Matt Hancock will make a statement in the House of Commons today (Thursday).The Health Secretary's speech to MPs will follow last-minute talks between Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and No 10 this morning.Manchester MPs have said they have also been invited to a meeting on Thursday morning.Mr Burnham has been resisting pressure to follow the Liverpool City Region into the Tier 3 restrictions – which would see bars, gyms and betting shops forced to close – despite soaring infection

pandemic as he slapped down Westminster Health Secretary Matt Hancock who had earlier dismissed the concept. Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, was responding to comments by the Tory Health Secretary that it is "a flawed goal".

UK. Speaking at the NHS Providers annual conference, Mr Hancock said hospital admissions in the north west rose by more than half last week, and warned that the number of deaths is also creeping up.

hereMr Hancock said: "We've put in place targeted local measures so we can come down hard where it emerges."In summer, we were able to relax measures, but now it is spreading more, we've had to act," he said.On Friday, he announced new rules for the North West.

Speaking to the Commons on Monday, he acknowledged that informal arrangements were a “lifeline” for many people, and without them they were unable to do their jobs.

as chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty laid the ground for strict new controls in an urgent push to stop the ongoing surge in new coronavirus infections across the UK.

Matt Hancock has warned Britain is at a “tipping point” as he refused to rule out a second national coronavirus lockdown.With cases on the rise, Hancock said there was a danger the numbers could “shoot through the roof” unless effective action was taken to halt the spread of the virus.His warning came as the UK Government announced anyone in England who refuses an order to self-isolate could face a fine of up to £10,000.He said: “This country faces a tipping point.