Coronavirus news: Manchester Tier 3 talks end without deal, as Wales imposes ‘firebreak’ restrictions
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Your support makes all the difference.The government moved closer to imposing Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions on Greater Manchester after the latest round of talks collapsed without a deal.
Local leaders, including mayor Andy Burnham, had initially expressed hope an agreement could be reached on extra funding for the region on Monday, only for ministers to reject the proposals.
And on Monday night communities secretary Robert Jenrick issued a letter setting a deadline of 12pm on Tuesday to settle the dispute.
The government also held talks with several other regions in northern England, including the North East and South Yorkshire, over a move into Tier 3.
Meanwhile Wales announced a two-week “firebreak” lockdown will be imposed from 6pm on Friday to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the “sharp and deep” new restrictions would last for 17 days and would require everyone except key workers to stay at home.
Ireland also confirmed it would begin a second national lockdown from midnight on Wednesday. The Level 5 restrictions will see schools stay open but non-essential businesses close. People will be told to stay at home for six weeks unless taking exercise within a 5km radius.
Irish premier Micheal Martin said the measures were necessary to curb the rise in cases and hospital admissions, adding: "As Taoiseach I am asking everyone again to take this threat seriously."
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog following the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic.
Greater Manchester eyeing millions in extra lockdown funding after ‘constructive’ talks
Following a “constructive” conversation between Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Boris Johnson’s chief strategic adviser, Sir Edward Lister, the region may be offered millions in extra funding to accept the harshest coronavirus restrictions to break the deadlock.
Further talks have been scheduled for Monday. Mr Burnham called for a Commons vote to break the “impasse”, having resisted tier 3 for the region since last week.
He also called for MPs to help workers and businesses hit with the harshest restrictions by having an urgent debate this week, warning: “This is not just a Greater Manchester issue.”
Intensive care beds could run out ‘very soon’ across north west
As the stand-off continues between leaders in the north and Westminster, a senior doctor in Manchester has warned that intensive care beds in the north west of England could run out “very soon”.
Dr Indeewar Kapila, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the situation in hospital was “very concerning” as admissions rise and limited bed spaces are filled.
ICU beds could run out ‘very soon’ across north west as second wave hits
The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent.
Two-week ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown for Wales to be decided today
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford is expected to announce a final decision on a two-week circuit-breaker lockdown for people living in Wales today.
A leaked letter from the transport industry in Wales suggests that such a lockdown will be introduced at 6pm on 23 October and will last until 9 November, with all but essential retail outlets closed.
On Sunday, the country’s health minister Vaughan Gething criticised the government’s upcoming Job Support Scheme, calling it “less generous” than the furlough scheme, which ends on 31 October.
He told the BBC’s Politics Wales that the Welsh Government is demanding a “more certain and more generous package” to protect jobs and businesses ahead of the possible two-week lockdown.
Conclusion must be reached over Greater Manchester today or tomorrow, says minister
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has said that a conclusion needs to be reached over lockdown restrictions in Greater Manchester, “one way or the other”.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: “I do think it is very clear that having now discussed this for well over a week, this does now need to be brought to a conclusion.
“I think everybody in Greater Manchester would agree with that. So, I am hopeful that either today, or tomorrow, we will reach a conclusion, one way or the other”.
He added that “productive discussions” were held in Greater Manchester over the weekend.
UK shop closures reach record high in 2020
The pandemic has forced the closure of some 11,120 chain store outlets between January and August this year, new figures show.
Only around 5,000 shops opened, leaving a net decline of over 6,000 stores. This is almost double the drop during the same period last year, writes Ted Hennessey.
Get the full story:
Christmas will be ‘tough’ this year, Sage adviser warns
Christmas will not feel like Christmas at all this year.
Sage member Professor Jeremy Farrar warned over the weekend that the festive period will be “tough” in the wake of the global pandemic, and will not have its usual celebratory atmosphere of families coming together.
He said he did not believe a vaccine for coronavirus would be rolled out ahead of Christmas this year, reports my colleague Maya Oppenheim. Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, he added: “I think we have to be honest and realistic and say that we are in for three to six months of a very difficult period.”
Coronavirus will make Christmas 'tough' this year, Sage adviser warns
‘I think we have to be honest and realistic and say that we are in for three to six months of a very difficult period,’ says Professor Jeremy Farrar
‘Nothing’s changed’
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has told Sky News that “nothing’s changed” in terms of week-long discussions with the government over tier 3 restrictions in the region.
It comes after Robert Jenrick told several broadcasters he was “hopeful” a deal could be made with Greater Manchester today or tomorrow, and confirmed the region has been offered further financial support.
But Mr Burnham said: “It’s not about the size of the cheque - it’s about protecting low-paid workers, people who are self-employed and supporting businesses and preventing them from collapsing.
“We’ve always said we’ll put people’s health first and it is about that but it’s about more than controlling the virus.”
Mr Burnham said he was written to the main party leaders in Westminster to ask them to intervene, after what he called “constructive” talks with the government yesterday.
Finnish PM tests negative for Covid-19 after EU summit
The Finnish Prime Minister has tested negative for coronavirus, her office said on Monday.
Sanna Marin left the European Union summit prematurely on Friday as a “precaution” after she came into close contact with people who later tested positive.
Her office said in a statement: “The prime minister will continue her self-isolation and she will be tested again on Monday.”
It added that Ms Marin’s voluntary quarantine will end if the second test result returns negative.
Boris Johnson may have to impose tier 3 restrictions in Greater Manchester amid standoff
The prime minister faces having to impose the harshest tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester, after his offer of extra funding was rejected.
Talks with local leaders are at an impasse, even as the area’s hospitals are set to run out of beds and ministers have offered a package worth about £75m to help councils and businesses in order to win agreement for the crackdown, our Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick writes.
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Boris Johnson faces having to impose tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester
Workers set to lose their jobs must be given same income guarantee as in March, ministers to be told
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