The Health Secretary has told MP’s this afternoon that Coronavirus is on the offensive, deaths have doubled in the last 12 days, and the situation is perilous.
He said that talks are continuing this afternoon with Greater Manchester but outlined the perilous figures citing that in Manchester, amongst the over-60s, cases have gone up in the last week from 171 per 100,000 to 283 per 100,000.
He also said talks were commencing with local authorities in south and west Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, the north-east and Teesside about moving to tier 3
Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Health Secretary,said that it is in the national interest to “follow the advice of Sage and adopt a two or three-week circuit break”.
“The cost of delay could be a deeper, longer, fuller lockdown. We do have a window of opportunity. For much of the country it’s half-term next week. If it’s politically easier for him he can call it a firewall. Whatever he calls it, we need something. The longer the Prime Minister dithers the harder it becomes to take control of this virus, protect the NHS and save lives.”
He also said that the Chancellor Rishi Sunak should “spend less time admiring himself on Instagram” and deliver “proper financial support” to Manchester.
