Million more face toughest restrictions

ONE in seven people in England will be living under the toughest lockdown measures from next week as they are extended to cover almost a million more.

It comes as Warrington and parts of Nottinghamshire are set to be put under Tier Three restrictions. It means 8.2million, around 15 per cent of England’s population, will face the strict lockdown that requires the closure of pubs.

The council in Warrington, north Cheshire, last night said it will become a ‘very high risk’ area from Thursday next week.

Warrington Borough Council said it has secured £5.9million in coronavirus support from the Government as part of its move into the highest tier.

Tier Three restrictions are expected to come into force in parts of Nottinghamshire on Wednesday, with a Government announcement on Monday.

The areas which are reported to face the tough restrictions are Nottingham City, Rushcliffe, Broxtowe and Gedling.

Nottinghamshire has become a cause for concern over recent days after its hospitals saw a ‘dramatic increase’ in Covid patients.

IT’S little surprise Boris Johnson has expended vast quantities of Brexit energy striving to escape the EU’s clutches on fishing and state aid subsidies.

It would be pointless quitting the sclerotic bloc simply to align with it on everything. And the Prime Minister owes an electoral debt to the coastal and industrial communities that swept him to power.

But he must not forget our world-leading financial services industry, an economic powerhouse which employs millions and generates vast wealth for Britain.

The EU wants to weaken the City by omitting it from a Brexit deal. But Boris must stand firm. After the financial crash he was one of the few politicians to stand up for the Square Mile. He should do so now.