Western Morning News (Saturday)
The things they say
■ “It feels like if the North has rising cases, the North goes under restrictions; if London and the South East has rising cases, everyone stays under restrictions,”
- Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham
on the first full review of England’s coronavirus tier
system.
■ “Even if sometimes results are coming later than we might have wanted, I know we will be doing everything in order to secure a good free trade agreement in the interests of the whole United Kingdom,”
- Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove says intensive talks with the EU are continuing to find a post-Brexit trade deal.
■ “We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support, as well as implementing our plan for jobs,”
- Chancellor Rishi Sunak on
why the furlough scheme has been extended until the
end of April.
■ “No ifs, no buts, there is no relaxation on the requirements of the area in which you live,”
- Scottish Constitution Secretary Mike Russell warns there will be no easing of the rules for Hogmanay.
■ “I have never spoken to you because of course we weren’t allowed to visit... Thank you so much, and for all you’re doing for so many people,”
- GMB presenter Kate Garraway thanks staff at the Whittington Hospital in London for saving her husband Derek’s life.
■ “I think I’ll have to wait for the AstraZeneca one before it gets to my turn. I’m some way down the list,”
- Prince Charles tells staff at a vaccination centre at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester that he does not expect to receive the Covid-19 vaccine soon.
■ “Have yourselves a merry little Christmas - and I’m afraid this year I do mean little. But with the vaccine, and all the other measures that we are taking, we do know that things will be better in this country by Easter”
- Boris Johnson urges people to have a smaller Christmas amid warnings the festive bubble policy will lead to more deaths.