Backlash erupts over Government’s decision to keep Greater Manchester in Tier 3

The announcement by the Government that Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 has caused outrage amongst Northern leaders and celebrities.

Yesterday Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced to his fellow MP’S the latest review of the new tier system. After enduring months of strict restrictions already, Greater Manchester will now remain in Tier 3 to the new year at least.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham voiced his opinion on the announcement, tweeting:  “When cases rise in the North, the North goes under restrictions.

“However, when cases rise in London and the South East, everyone stays under restrictions.”

“Today the government ignored their own criteria. The biggest set of charlatans to be ever elected”

 

They released 5 key criteria 2 weeks ago to measure Tiers by. Manchester is lower than many T2 areas were 2 weeks ago. Today the government ignored their own criteria. The biggest set of charlatans to be ever elected . 👋

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) December 17, 2020

However, Matt Hancock is adamant the right measures are being taken, saying: “We’ve come so far, we mustn’t blow it now.”

But the leader of Labour controlled Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, said the logic of the oppositions is “unbelievable.”

Adding, “Even though our numbers are better than either London or Liverpool’s were 3 weeks ago, still in Tier 3.”

Even though our numbers are better than either London or Liverpool’s were 3 weeks ago, still in Tier 3. Unbelievable!

— Sir Richard Leese (@SirRichardLeese) December 17, 2020

Greater Manchester was placed in Tier 3 after the country endured a month-long lockdown in November, which brought the average infection rate rapidly declining to 156.44.

The announcemnt caused particular outrage in the North, even though London is now under Tier 3 restrictions along with Greater Manchester,

London reportedly has a significantly higher seven day average of 2,388 cases per day, according to the gov.co.uk.

Apart from three weeks in July we’ve been in lockdown in Greater Manchester since March. No household mixing indoors for nine months. It’s possible to both understand the public health reasoning behind keeping us tier 3 while being deeply disappointed at the decision.

— Helen Pidd (@helenpidd) December 17, 2020

Bradford still in tier 2. We’ve dropped over 100 places in the infection ratings. I honestly don’t know how they are basing their opinions.

— Dave Z Photography (@DaveZ_uk) December 17, 2020

Liverpool’s spike started much earlier than ours. And the original Tier 3 didn’t make much difference – that’s why they scrapped it. It was the national lockdown which brought cases down. So your argument doesn’t hold water, I’m afraid.

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) December 17, 2020

The north is being gaslighted, 20 % down this week, 60 % down over a month, 9 months of tier 3 or the equivalent, we are stuck in the twilight zone, I cant see us getting out in Jan, and the sheer numbers in tier 3 might as well be a full lockdown

— MARCHANT KEITH (@MARCHANTK) December 17, 2020

The north is being gaslighted, 20 % down this week, 60 % down over a month, 9 months of tier 3 or the equivalent, we are stuck in the twilight zone, I cant see us getting out in Jan, and the sheer numbers in tier 3 might as well be a full lockdown

— MARCHANT KEITH (@MARCHANTK) December 17, 2020

If Manchester doesn’t move down a tier, it shows the control the Government/ scientists have over us. The data couldn’t be clearer.

It’s a horrendous outlook for the rest of us.

I can see no chance of opening my pubs until February.

— Adam Brooks (@EssexPR) December 17, 2020