‘Most places will end up in Tier 3’: Mayor demands improved support before winter as talks continue
"It is likely that most places will find themselves in Tier 3 at some point before a vaccine is found. That is why we believe it is right for Parliament to debate and agree what is a fair level of support for people and businesses in those areas."
Boris Johnson is said to be ‘on the verge’ of ordering a Tier 3 lockdown in Manchester after talks between the Mayor and government officials failed to yield a solution last week.
Andy Burnham believes “most places will find themselves in Tier 3 at some point before a vaccine is found” – which is why he’s demanding improved support for these areas as winter looms.
The government is hoping to agree a financial package with Greater Manchester during the next 48 hours – which would result in the region being moved to the ‘very high’ risk category where pubs, bars and bookies are closed.
Local leaders are continuing to hold out for a “fair” deal – claiming this is “not just a Greater Manchester issue”.
The whole country needs to get behind Andy Burnham. Andy’s right. This is a fight for a fair deal for everybody to protect their health and livelihoods so that everybody is protected as the pandemic continues. https://t.co/kK8gMPWUSZ
Speaking to Andrew Marr on Sunday (18 October), Burnham said the pushback wasn’t about politics or money, but about wellbeing.
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“It’s about people’s health and what’s right for them,” said the Mayor.
“What I would say to the government is that ‘let’s come together and agree a package of support that helps people through this’.
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“A punishing lockdown without support – trapping places in Tier 3 all winter – I think will cause real harm to people’s health in the broadest possible sense.”
Burnham has written a letter to the government asking for an 80% furlough scheme for all affected workers – including the self-employed.
A full and fair furlough scheme at 80%.
Support for the self employed, including freelancers.
Compensation for businesses directly or indirectly affected.
The Mayor has since had a call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s chief strategic adviser, which was described as “constructive”.
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Talks are set to continue today, with speculation rife as to what type of deal the government will put on the table.
The Telegraph is reporting that the PM could offer Greater Manchester to £100 million in order to settle the debate.
However, other sources have suggested that this may not include the 80% furlough scheme which has been the cornerstone of the region’s resistance so far.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News that the government was looking to finalise terms on Monday (19 October) or Tuesday (20 October).
Boris Johnson had previously warned that if a deal was not agreed, he would have to “intervene“.
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Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
Manchester man jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of woman on train
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of a woman on board a train to Manchester.
Following an extensive British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Nisan Fernando Kurukulasuriya, of Troutbeck Road in Altrincham, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court last month.
At the trail last month, the court heard how, on Monday 20 April 2026, 39-year-old Kurukulasuriya was on a train from Stoke to Manchester and sat next to a woman he didn’t know, who was on the phone.
He then sexually assaulted her repeatedly, doing so again even after being pushed away by the woman.
The woman then noticed that Kurukulasuriya had exposed himself and was masturbating in front of her. She shouted at him, and in response, he stood up and ran away to leave the train – but the woman immediately got up to report the incident to staff.
When the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, the woman alerted a member of staff while Kurukulasuriya was stood only a few meters away, and BTP were subsequently called straight away.
Police quickly attended and arrested Kurukulasuriya.
When police interviewed him, Kurukulasuriya showed no remorse for his actions and refused to answer any questions put to him.
After pleading guilty to Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency at a previous court hearing, Kurukulasuriya was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, and was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which will bar him from sitting next to any woman he doesn’t know on public transport, as well as being put on thensex offenders register for 10 years.
BTP Detective Sergeant, Mark Haviland, called Kurukulasuriya a ‘despicable man’ who targeted a woman travelling alone ‘for his own sick sexual gratification’.
The Manc -
19th October 2020 
