Andy Burnham to attend government meeting this morning to finalise Greater Manchester rules
Burnham is set for a meeting with the government later this morning (15 October) to learn the fate of Greater Manchester - which could be moved to Tier 3.
Mayor Andy Burnham will attend a government meeting this morning to learn the fate of Greater Manchester – which could be moved up to the highest local COVID alert risk category.
The region’s leaders and hospitality members fiercely campaigned against the region being placed into Tier 3 – essentially a local lockdown – when the new tier system was announced on Monday (12 October).
And they appeared to have won.
Later that afternoon, in the House of Commons, Boris Johnson confirmed that only Liverpool City Region would be ranked within the ‘very high’ risk category – with Greater Manchester instead placed in Tier 2.
But within hours, discussions were already taking place as to whether Greater Manchester (along with Lancashire, our Tier 2 and geographical neighbours) should in fact be reclassified.
ADVERTISEMENT
A move to Tier 3 would mean the closure of pubs and bars (that do not serve food), gyms and bookmakers, as well as a complete ban on all household mixing.
But local leaders have pledged to fight the restrictions all over again – even threatening legal action.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Since one meeting on Friday, the Government has not discussed these matters with us,” Mayor Andy Bunrham stated.
“Instead, the pressure is being piled on via media briefings. Later today I will set out why the current Tier 3 proposal is fundamentally flawed and why we won’t accept it.”
Despite saying he would make no comment until Thursday’s meeting, Burnham said he “felt compelled to do so” after hearing the news.
“At no point during tonight’s briefing was this news communicated to us,” he tweeted.
“Media told first once again. Our position has not changed.”
Said I wasn’t going to comment but now feel compelled to do so on the back of this Government briefing.
At no point during tonight’s briefing was this news communicated to us. Media told first once again. Our position has not changed. pic.twitter.com/A9V3Tbdisv
Burnham is set for a meeting with the government later this morning (15 October) to learn the fate of Greater Manchester.
Manchester MPs will be talking to the Minister of State Helen Whatley at 10.45am.
ADVERTISEMENT
This could be the second time the government has rapidly changed measures for Greater Manchester just hours after making them law.
Back in September, ministers announced they would lift restrictions in Bolton and Trafford – which included a ban on households mixing indoors – only to reimpose these rules on the same day both boroughs were due to be released.
Following the meetings with local MPs this morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to provide an official update in the House of Commons.
News
Rules around booking driving tests in UK change from today to make system ‘fairer’
Emily Sergeant
The rules around booking driving tests in the UK are officially set to change from today in a bid to make the system ‘fairer’.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now introduced new rules for car driving test bookings, putting learners ‘firmly in control’ of their own booking, as it is now against the law for third parties – including unofficial test booking and cancellation finder services, as well as driving instructors – to make bookings for someone else.
It will also be a breach of DVSA’s terms and conditions for the booking service for third parties to change, swap, or cancel a driving test for someone else.
Learners should only ever pay the official DVSA fee – which is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
The Government says the new rules aim to make booking driving tests ‘fairer’ for learner drivers.
While driving instructors will no longer be able to book tests on behalf of of learners, they will still be able to advise learners on when they are ready to take a test, as well as set their available times to prevent learners from booking tests at times that do not work for them.
Following on from changes to test alterations which were introduced at the end of March, from 9 June 2026, further restrictions will come into force limiting learners to moving their test only to one of the three nearest driving test centres.
The DVSA has also pledged to continue increasing driving examiner capacity to help provide more tests for learners to book.
“Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties, put them in control of their driving test, and make the process fairer by clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices,” commented Beverley Warmington, who is the DVSA Chief Executive.
“These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others.
“These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test.”
Featured Image – Pxfuel
News
Canal Street cordoned off after ‘suspicious chemicals’ reported at hotel
Daisy Jackson
Canal Street and several other streets in the Gay Village in Manchester have been cordoned off this afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police are attending reported of a smell that’s believed to be chemicals coming from a hotel room in the area.
There’s a huge emergency services presence in the area, including vehicles from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, and the North West Ambulance Service.
Police have confirmed that they have detained a man who is believed to have been the occupant of the hotel room.
The hotel itself has been evacuated while the material is examined.
Thankfully, no one has been injured in the incident that has shut down part of Canal Street today.
Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal StreetThe cordon in place on Canal Street
GMP said in a statement: “We are currently searching a hotel room at a premises on Canal Street, Manchester. This follows a report of a smell – currently believed to be chemicals – causing suspicion.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, has been detained and is currently in custody.
“As a precautionary measure, the hotel has been evacuated while specialist resources examine the material and conduct further enquiries.
“No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances. We thank people for their patience as we continue with our work.”
The Manc -
15th October 2020 
