End of the tunnel’

extent that it was placed in Tier 2 rather than Tier 3.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney pledged to ask Mr Hancock what criteria will be used when Kirklees’ tier is reviewed on December 16.

He said: “Will local MPs and council leaders be consulted, what extra financial support will there be for hospitality and will the government work with Kirklees on delivering a mass testing programme here?”

Dewsbury MP Mark Eastwood said Tier 3 local authorities such as Kirklees would be able to take part in a six-week “testing surge” with tests offered to the general population to pinpoint cases before the virus can spread.

He added: “This boost to testing capacity and the promising news of vaccine candidates will hopefully diminish the need for restrictions.”

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin supported the all-party request from the council to be part of the pilot scheme for mass testing. And she called on backdated support from the Government for hospitality venues, which will have to remain closed except for takeaway, delivery or drivethrough sales. She added: “Infection rates are falling across the region as a result of the current circuit breaker lockdown. People across West Yorkshire will want to know that the government is following the science and that their sacrifices in following these restrictions will not be for nothing.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Kirklees Council, Clr John Lawson, said government needed to “really pull out all the stops” if it wanted residents and businesses to continue to make sacrifices. He said: “They need to meet us halfway and provide mass testing so we can make the big breakthrough and get a grip on this.”

Green group leader Clr Andrew Cooper said the Liverpool example showed local controls could succeed. He continued: “Government has got to let go of it and let local decision-makers take a lead on testing. The vaccine could be months away but we are beginning to see rates come down. However they are only coming down due to people following the basic rules.”

Tier 3 restrictions, to apply in England after Wednesday, allow the re-opening of all shops, places of worship, gyms and hairdressers. Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will be restricted to takeaway only.

If numbers carry on going down to Liverpool levels then we could come out of Tier 3

pretty quickly.