'Very, very worrying' situation unfolds for Greater Manchester's NHS as Covid patients pass April peak

revised tier system, which will come into force on December 2 when the national lockdown ends, government ministers will impose the top level of restrictions on the highest risk areas.Previously, ministers had entered into discussions with local leaders over the what measures would be needed and how they would be funded.In Greater Manchester, mayor Andy Burnham led several days of intense talks as he tried to negotiate a more substantial financial package than the one the government had

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.

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.

Andy Burnham said more power needs to be taken out of Westminster after Boris Johnson labelled Scottish devolution a 'disaster'.The mayor of Greater Manchester said he was left a 'little worried' by the prime minister's comments.The PM  is understood to have told MPs that devolution had been “Tony Blair’s biggest mistake” during a meeting.Downing Street sources did not deny Mr Johnson made the comments, which were first reported by the Sun, during a discussion with the Northern Research Group of

more than double the national rate, the infection rate fell by 12%. But at 540.9 the town still has the second highest rate in Greater Manchester.

Let us know your thoughts on the latest Covid situation belowWhile protests are not banned, Covid rules forbid more than two people meeting outdoors if they are not part of the same household.

here"But I don’t want to be at constant loggerheads with them.

Greater Manchester leaders are expecting the latest national lockdown to last longer than expected and remain skeptical about the effect it will have on rising Covid-19 cases.Mayor Andy Burnham and deputy mayor Sir Richard Leese say the success of the lockdown will depend on whether people follow the rules in the four weeks to December 2.Any benefits that arise from the lockdown are unlikely to be felt until after three weeks after it comes into place on Thursday morning, they said.Both leaders

We want to hear how you feel about the new national lockdown and how it will affect you. You can fill out our survey below. Click 'display interactive content' or follow this link if you can't see it on your device. His comments come after a number of scientists that advise the government have said keeping schools open during the November lockdown in England could mean infection rates stay higher for longer than when nationwide restrictions were first introduced in March.Former chief scientific

would be moved into the highest category of the new Local Covid Alert Level system, meaning which pubs don't serve 'substantial' meals will have to close.

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

Should Greater Manchester be in Tier 3? Have your say in the comments belowMayor Andy Burnham accused the government of 'playing poker with people's lives' over the negotiations.He called on Parliament to intervene and agree a 'fair financial framework' for any region that needs to enter Tier 3 this winter.Mr Johnson said the government will continue 'talking' to Greater Manchester, but added: "Given the public health situation, I must now proceed with moving Greater Manchester, as I say, to the

Boris Johnson will use a 5pm press conference to impose tier-three lockdown measures on Greater Manchester after negotiations with mayor Andy Burnham broke up without a deal.

coronavirus restrictions. The Greater Manchester Mayor said health is 'not just about controlling the virus' and that if 'punishing lockdowns are imposed' over winter, people's mental health will suffer.

Greater Manchesters' leaders have been given a deadline of noon tomorrow to reach an agreement on the terms of a Tier 3 lockdown.Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said in a statement that he has written to local leaders to warn them about the deadline, saying they must take 'action urgently'.Leaders in Greater Manchester have been in tense discussions since last week over the terms of an agreement to introduce stricter measures.The region's mayor Andy Burnham has so far resisted calls to