Coronavirus: Andy Burnham holds out for Greater Manchester Tier 3 move over financial support
Written by News on 19/10/2020
Stalemate seems to remain in negotiations about tougher restrictions for Greater Manchester, as hospitals in the region run low on beds to treat coronavirus patients.
Mayor Andy Burnham told Sky News he is “not just going to roll over at the sight of a cheque” but said he was holding out for the government to pledge more help for workers and firms who would be affected by a move to Tier 3.
Talks have been going on for several days – and broke out into acrimony at the end of last week – but they are continuing on Monday.
A senior minister put pressure on Mr Burnham and other local leaders to accept the area needs to move into England’s highest band of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News’ Kay Burley a deal needs to be struck by the end of Tuesday or the government could step in and impose the restrictions unilaterally.
Meanwhile, data from the Greater Manchester Critical Care Network (GMCCN) suggested some of the region’s 12 hospitals were running out of space on Friday.
The figures showed the Stepping Hill Hospital and the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust were operating at full capacity.
It also showed the Royal Bolton Hospital was running at 94% capacity
The figures show hospitals across Greater Manchester are operating at an average of 82% capacity.
The NHS said in a statement: “We are monitoring the situation with our hospital admissions, overall beds and ITU beds very, very closely.
“It’s not unusual for 80% to 85% of ICU beds to be in use at this time of year and our hospitals work together if there are particular pressures in any one area, to ensure the best care for patients who need the high level of support ICU provides, both for COVID and for other reasons.”
A source at the GMCCN told Sky News the NHS usually say they’re “at capacity” when they hit 85%, not 100% of beds filled.
A spokesperson for the NHS in the North West has said: “Coronavirus cases are rising and it is obviously a serious situation so it is vital everyone does what they can to control the virus.”
The figures have emerged after Mr Burnham accused Boris Johnson of exaggerating the severity of the crisis in the region.
But there were reports of progress, with The Times saying the prime minister is ready to offer “tens of millions of pounds” to head off a revolt, while The Telegraph says it is more like £100m.
Mr Burnham had written to Mr Johnson and other party leaders proposing a Commons debate and vote to “break the impasse” and establish a cross-party consensus on financial aid for Tier 3 areas.
Mr Jenrick suggested a deal was within reach, and claimed “the contours of an agreement are there”.
And he hinted parts of South and West Yorkshire could also be placed into the highest band of restrictions in England, telling Kay Burley “we’ll be discussing the same issues” with local politicians there.
In total, the UK recorded another 16,171 positive cases on Sunday and a further 150 COVID-related deaths.
That brings the total number of deaths to 43,579.
But separate figures from the UK’s statistic agencies suggest up to 58,500 people have died with the virus mentioned on their death certificate.
Tensions were raised over the weekend, when Mr Burnham disputed a claim by Mr Johnson on Friday, when he said the coronavirus outbreak in Manchester was “grave” and cases had doubled in the last nine days.
The Greater Manchester mayor said in a Sunday TV interview: “I think it was an exaggeration of the position that we’re in. Of course it’s a matter of concern, and we watch the figures very closely indeed.
“But the figures have been falling in Manchester itself in the last few days, across Greater Manchester up slightly but certainly not doubling every nine days.”
Though that led to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove accusing Mr Burnham of “posturing”.
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Significantly, Mr Burnham’s demands for more cash are being backed by Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West and chairman of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee.
But cracks began to appear in Tory backing for Mr Burnham when five Conservative MPs from Greater Manchester wrote to him urging him to do a deal “around the negotiating table and not via loud-hailer”.
On Monday morning, Mr Burnham said “nothing’s changed as far as I’m concerned”.
He told Sky News: “We’ve always said we’ll put people’s health first and we will do that, but health is about more than controlling the virus.”
Elsewhere, Wales is expected to announce a “fire break” lockdown to curb the rate of infection. If it gets the green light it will begin on Friday and last for 17 days, a leaked document claimed last week.
In Ireland, the cabinet is meeting to make a final decision on whether to impose its highest Level 5 measures – equivalent to England’s Tier 3 – as part of a six-week lockdown, after its National Public Health Emergency Team recommended harsher restrictions.
It is understood that a middle ground between Level 4 and Level 5 is a probable scenario for the coming weeks.
Watch and follow ‘Postcode Lockdown: A Divided Nation’ on Sky News from 9pm on Monday, as it examines which strategy is best for Britain
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Andy Burnham holds out for Greater Manchester Tier 3 move over financial support
