Statement on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Deputy Mayors and all 10 Leaders

Statement on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Deputy Mayors and all 10 Leaders

At our last meeting with Downing Street officials yesterday morning, we were told they would arrange a further meeting later in the day to provide a response to our requests. That did not happen and, despite being on standby all day today, we are still waiting for it to be arranged. We can assure the Prime Minister that we are ready to meet at any time to try to agree a way forward.

We can also say with confidence that we have done, and will continue to do, everything within our power to protect the health of our residents, including being the first area in the country to agree to local restrictions back in July. We are not convinced that closing hospitality venues is the only way to protect hospitals and we want to look at other measures such as reinstating shielding arrangements and introducing tougher instant closure powers on non-compliant pubs, restaurants, shops and other business premises.

"We firmly believe that protecting health is about more than controlling the virus and requires proper support for people whose lives would be severely affected by a Tier 3 lockdown. We do not believe that the current proposals provide adequate support and that is why we await further talks with the Government.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Baroness Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester
Sir Richard Leese, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester & Leader of Manchester City Council
Allan Brett, Leader of Rochdale Council
Paul Dennett, Leader of Salford City Council
Sean Fielding, Leader of Oldham Council
David Greenhalgh, Leader of Bolton Council
David Molyneux, Leader of Wigan Council
Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council
Brenda Warrington, Leader of Tameside Council
Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council
Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council

Article Published: 16/10/2020 17:54 PM