Greater Manchester has been given a deadline of midday today (20 October) to settle a deal with the government over moving into Tier 3 restrictions.
If an agreement is not reached by 12pm, the region is likely to be upgraded to the ‘very high’ risk category unilaterally.
After ten days of negotiations, the latest meeting between Greater Manchester leaders and government ministers on Monday (19 October) resulted in yet another deadlock.
Now, with patience running thin on both sides, Greater Manchester appears set to move into Tier 3 this week.
But the question remains as to what type of deal leaders will get.
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Housing Minister Robert Jenrick said that “urgent action” was required to improve a “deteriorating” health situation in Manchester, pointing to rising numbers of hospitalisations in the area.
However, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese said the government was using “selective” data, and argued that “Greater Manchester’s ICU occupancy rate is not abnormal for this time of year.”
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In a statement on Monday evening, they clarified: “We are not complacent about the position in our hospitals and are monitoring the situation closely. But in the current situation, we believe it is essential that our residents are given clear, accurate information about the state of the NHS in Greater Manchester and that public fears are not raised unnecessarily.”
Since the beginning of the tier saga, local leaders have repeatedly campaigned for improved support that matched the kind seen in March under national lockdown.
This would include 80% of wages covered for staff for the self-employed.
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Places such as pubs, bars, gyms, bookies, casinos, barbers, and salons could all potentially be closed under Tier 3 restrictions.
Burnham says the fight for a “fairer” deal is about “more than just Greater Manchester” – with the Mayor claiming many more regions are likely to be upgraded to Tier 3 during winter.
Leese admitted that Greater Manchester would ultimately need to comply with any government ultimatum, but expressed his disappointment that negotiations had faltered yet again.
“There seems to be a real unwillingness from the government to listen to reason,” said the council leader.
“I think they’ve tabled fairly badly worked-out regulations and are now refusing to recognise that and enter into a serious negotiation.”
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Burnham says he would “not break the law” if the Government put the region into ‘Tier 3’ restrictions without his consent, but would challenge whether it is “the right thing to do”.
Further discussions are set to take place this morning as the deadline for a decision fast approaches.
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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
The Manc -
20th October 2020 
