Coronavirus: Tory MPs clash over Manchester restrictions

A group of Tory MPs have urged Greater Manchester’s mayor to “engage” with the government’s regional approach to restrictions – prompting anger from some of their own colleagues.

In a letter to Andy Burnham and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, 20 MPs said a national lockdown would impose “severe costs” on areas with low transmission.

But three Conservative MPs for the region said the letter was unhelpful.

Ministers say Greater Manchester needs to be in the top tier of restrictions.

The letter was organised by Jerome Mayhew, MP for Broadland in Norfolk, and was signed by MPs representing constituencies currently at the lowest tier of Covid restrictions.

“It does not make sense to shut down the whole country when the virus is spiking in particular locations,” the letter reads.

“Our constituents, like yours, have made many sacrifices to get – and keep – the virus under control in our areas,” it adds.

Meanwhile, Liverpool City Region’s metro mayor Steve Rotherham announced his area will receive an additional £44m from the government to “support local jobs and businesses” and fund a local test-and-trace service after its move to tier three – very high.

A similar package worth £42m was given to local leaders in Lancashire as part of negotiations over its move to the highest alert level.