Leaders push for funding as counties fear Tier 3 switch

YORKSHIRE’S political leaders are to continue to push for better coronavirus support in Government talks this week.

Talks were held in South and West Yorkshire last Friday, but no decision was made on whether the two areas, which are currently under Tier 2 restrictions, would be moved into the highest alert level.

Negotiations are set to continue this week, but Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We will be stressing with the Government how local measures like test and trace, more home testing and support to self- isolate can play a major role in bringing down infection rates when we meet with them again early this week.”

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis said additional restrictions “must go hand in hand with significant additional resources and funding”.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham yesterday wrote to political leaders urging them to help secure a “fair financial framework” for local lockdowns.

Mr Burnham told Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer and other party leaders that “this is not just a Greater Manchester issue” as he called for a consistent new package.

He also has welcomed a “constructive” conversation with Mr Johnson’s chief strategic adviser, Sir Edward Lister.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS in the North have called on the Government to take “urgent action” to support local communities facing the impact of coronavirus restrictions.

In a letter, the group of Lib

Dems urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to work constructively with local political leaders who are “grounded” in communities, with Covid- 19 cases rising across the UK.

The group, the Northern Liberal Network, also warned that the north of England is too often

“overlooked by a London- centric government”.

The letter was signed by the party’s former leader Tim Farron, as well as by councillors from across the North.

As part of their call for action, the Lib Dems said urgent funding should be made available for action on Test and Trace, while there must also be support to enable people to self- isolate.

They also said that there should be an extension of the furlough scheme, criticising the decision to end the scheme at the end of October as a “heartless choice”.

Protection for people living in care and support for children and young people were also highlighted as key areas by the group.

Laura Gordon, chair of the Northern Liberal Network who stood to be MP for Sheffield Hallam last December, said people are desperate for more financial support from Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

She said: “The Government’s strategy so far has failed. Restrictions in areas like Greater Manchester and the North- East have been in place for months, yet they are still experiencing a huge spike in coronavirus cases.”