Andy Burnham has said the government’s Christmas COVID rules are “allowing too much”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has said the rules give people too much freedom - suggesting regions could spend January in Tier 3 as a result.
Andy Burnham has criticised the COVID Christmas rules published this week – claiming that the government is “allowing too much”.
Leaders of the four UK nations have agreed on a set of guidelines for gathering over the festive holidays – with travel allowed between tiers and borders from 23-27 December.
People are permitted to form ‘Christmas bubbles‘ of up to three households during this period.
However, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has said the rules give too much freedom – suggesting that large portions of the country could end up spending January in Tier 3 as a result.
''What's the price that people might have to pay?"@AndyBurnhamGM says the Government's plans to relax Covid-19 restrictions over Christmas is ''allowing too much.'' pic.twitter.com/pBtRujxjrm
“It’s a green light… and what’s the price people may have to pay? A December in a pretty miserable Tier 3 for many people… and then possibly a January in Tier 3.
“It’s too much, I don’t think the government has got the balance right here.”
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Burnham suggested that allowing two households to mix “for a couple of days or just on Christmas Day” would have been suffice – with concerns that five days of freedom could result in much tighter restrictions for a longer period after the holidays.
“I would take a much more balanced approach to this,” he added.
“Honestly, I do think this is too much.”
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Burnham spent several weeks at loggerheads with the government over local restrictions back in October – with the Mayor accusing Westminster of treating Greater Manchester like the “sacrificial lamb” by asking them to accept Tier 3 rulings.
Greater Manchester was eventually pushed into Tier 3 by force, with the whole country entering a lockdown a matter of days later.
England is set to return to its tiered system once the current set of restrictions end on December 2.
Each region will be assigned a tier on Thursday (November 26) – and the government has warned there will be “no negotiation.”
Some rules will tighten up – with hospitality set to be closed down completely in Tier 3 areas.
The full guidance for gathering over Christmas can be found online on the government website.
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Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
The Manc -
25th November 2020 
