Why the government changed its mind on lockdown in Trafford and Bolton - exactly what Matt Hancock said

Manchester Evening News' political editor, Jennifer Williams, also appeared on The Andrew Marr Show to talk about the new support payment, which will be "welcomed" in Greater Manchester.

hereIt will also see the hospitality industry for food and drink restricted to table service only and late-night operating hours will be restricted.Leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas are going to be required to close between 10pm and 5am.The restrictions, which come into force on Tuesday, also apply in Merseyside, Halton, and Lancashire, excluding Blackpool and Greater Manchester, the government said.Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are seeing cases

Matt Hancock has warned that the country is facing a “big moment” as coronavirus hospital admissions continue to rise.The Health Secretary said it is vital that people follow the rule of six, or the more stringent measures imposed here in Greater Manchester.“It is deadly serious,” he told Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday (September 18).“The results of not doing so will be that this goes more out of control and we have to take more stringent measures which have a bigger economic impact and

coronavirus.There are reports that laboratories have been overwhelmed by a surge in swabs.Far from being the envy of the world, Labour’s Wes Streeting told Health Secretary Matt Hancock in the Commons this week the system was 'a bloody mess'.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 instructions hereNHS Test and Trace figures show that 33.3 per cent of people who were tested for coronavirus

Police and firefighters are to be used as contact tracers in bid to dodge Greater Manchester lockdown.The proposals are contained in a letter sent to Matt Hancock by the mayor today Greater Manchester plans to use the police and fire service to track down thousands of people being missed by the national test and trace service as it seeks to stave off any kind of ‘blanket lockdown’. It also wants to provide its own temporary ‘self isolation’ fund for people who cannot afford to stay at home due

here"Of course, as I have said repeatedly, there are operational challenges but thousands of people every day are being tested in Manchester in order to get a grip of the outbreak there."Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, raised issues around local contact tracing in Greater Manchester and accused the government of 'still not getting the basics right'."I don't underestimate the challenges that the health secretary has faced over the last few months," she told MPs."But

for a ride in support of making the lanes permanent.But despite that increase, a large chunk of the pop-lanes are being removed following complaints that traffic has increased now that schools and businesses have reopened.One Trafford said it is looking at a long-term plan 'to accommodate all users of the A56 from across Trafford.'They added: "Funding permitted, measures will include keeping segregated cycleways wherever possible and keeping the traffic flowing by opening lanes to motor

straight to your inboxVincent Kompany has explained how Kevin De Bruyne failed to make a good first impression on him with the Belgian national team.Kompany has this summer retired from football after a glittering career that will see a permanent statue of him outside of the Etihad in recognition of his achievements with Manchester City.De Bruyne, meanwhile, made history in the last week by becoming the club's first ever player to receive the PFA Player of the Year award, in recognition of his

Andy Burnham has slammed health secretary Matt Hancock for the way the government has announced a string of new coronavirus restrictions affecting Greater Manchester.The region’s mayor says the approach has kept local leaders in the dark and led to ‘anxiety and confusion’ among residents.He said he fears ministers are in danger of ‘losing the public’ and is calling for a return to daily briefings led by expert scientists and medics.Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Mr

Have your say on the local lockdown measures in our survey:"Of course the national measures which were announced yesterday will come into force in Greater Manchester, it's very important that people follow them."We took further action in Bolton.

One Manchester student said he cycled 13 miles and visited three different testing centres before eventually managing to get a coronavirus test.Many trying to access a test online have been met with the error message: “This service is currently very busy. More tests should be available later.

coronavirus cases.The latest data on coronavirus infection rates shows an increase in every Greater Manchester borough except Trafford.Bolton's rate continues to soar and has now reached 121.7 cases per 100,000 people.On Friday (September 4) health secretary Matt Hancock said that the easing has been made possible due to the hard work of 'residents, communities and local authorities', to bring infection rates down.He announced that casinos, bowling alleys and other leisure facilities can re-open

hereThey include Neil Traynor, 37, of Mosspark Road, Stretford; Frances Henderson, 21, of Alan Road, Withington; Meredith Dickenson, 22, of Liverpool Road, Manchester; and Hamish Haynes, 46, of Quarry Clough, Stalybridge.All have been bailed with conditions to appear at Liverpool Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates' Court on January 8 and 13.Their bail conditions include not to enter Merseyside and not to contact any witness or News International employees by self, servant or agent.Get breaking

hereHealth Secretary Matt Hancock has said that the easing has been made possible due to the hard work of 'residents, communities and local authorities', to bring infection rates down.He added that 'further work' is now underway with local leaders in Bolton, which for now remains subject to more stringent measures, after infection rates soared in the borough.Mr Hancock said: “I’m very glad we’ve been able to make this change, working with local councils, because local lockdowns are working to

Confusion and anger were the main reactions from the people of Bolton after the town was ordered to stay in a local lockdown following a U-turn by the national government.Bolton - along with Trafford - was due to be released from the Greater Manchester-wide restrictions today (Wednesday, September 2), but Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced earlier that lockdown measures will remain.Latest figures show the borough has the second highest coronavirus infection rate in the country.Health

near 100 per cent increase in case numbers in the last week.

latest officially confirmed figures - which takes it up to the week ending Friday (August 28) - detail 44.9 cases per 100,000 people, only slightly below the rate of 50.

'sudden, concerning and unpredicted', has prompted council and health leaders to call an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning. Separate government figures show there were 40 new cases recorded on Thursday in Bolton.