The tense eleventh hour negotiations between Greater Manchester and the government collapsed less than three hours before Downing Street announced further restrictions for the region
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham set to hold press conference after level 3 talks with government fail
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said talks with Greater Manchester have not resulted in a deal because our leaders are « unwilling to take the necessary steps »
Talks continue most of the day between the government and local leaders, including Mr. Burnham It after the days of quarrels
M Jenrick lobbied the region by announcing late Monday night that leaders had until noon to find a solution
The tense 11am negotiations between Greater Manchester and the government collapsed less than three hours before Downing Street was due to announce new restrictions for the area during its afternoon press conference, which will be held at 5 p.m.
In the end, it all came down to just £ 5million – a tiny amount in terms of national spending
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This morning, executives here asked for £ 75million in exchange for entering Level 3 restrictions, including £ 15million per month for a localized leave program and support for self-employed workers
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This was designed to cover the period between now and April, the end of the fiscal year
In return, via a meeting between Andy Burnham and Boris Johnson – who was apparently taken out of a breakfast for the appeal – the government offered £ 60million
In the end, they were ready to compromise on £ 65million, to be reviewed after a month
But when Andy Burnham returned to government with the counter-proposal, this time discussing the sum with Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick rather than the Prime Minister, it only took a few minutes for the suggestion be rejected
But M’s speech Burnham outside Bridgewater Hall was greeted with warm support from members of the public
Dozens of people gathered to listen to the mayor told reporters and television crews present that he could not agree to the government’s negotiating terms
“Do they play poker with people’s lives? Is that what it is?” said M Burnham as the crowd gathered in front of him
They applauded and applauded saying it was a « point of principle » that he did not accept a deal that would mean lower paid workers would get two-thirds of their wages
During the press conference, Mr. Burnham has learned that instead of the £ 65million previously offered, the region will receive £ 22million
Sir Richard Leese read his phone saying £ 22million would be offered to leaders in the region at « one minute after midnight Friday »
« It’s not fair, they shouldn’t be doing this, crushing people, trying to accept the least they can do
Supporters shouted ‘rubbish’ when a reporter asked if the mayor was doing a ‘water show’
Another member of the crowd said it was a « shame » when he spoke about the amount of money offered by the government
Members of the audience gathered in a large group to hear Mr. Burnham speak, and they seem to be pretty protective of him
« It was a major point of principle at stake What is fair treatment for the lowest wages in society? » Are two-thirds fair? », He said
He said people in middle-income jobs could perhaps afford to live on two-thirds of their pay but says it’s much harder on minimum wage
He says « it’s no small amount of money for people who are having difficulty here »
« We are fighting to make it work this pandemic has hit the north harder than other places due to entrenched poverty in the north of England »
He quotes Richard Leese, who said it was « interesting » to know why the government had found the money and what it had « not found the money » for
M Burnham said he could not now describe what the new lockdown restrictions would be as the government, in his eyes, moved away from negotiations
It was a « point of principle » that he did not agree to a deal that would mean workers would get two-thirds of their wages
« Do they play poker with people’s lives? Is that what it is? » he said
He urged people to obey the law at all times and follow public health advice
He said he was always ready to agree to a deal, but not on the terms the government set
« How can we carry the public with us during the pandemic? without supporting them through it? » », He said
M Burnham said: « I don’t think it’s fair to ask people to isolate themselves, to accept new changes in their lives, without supporting them through it all.
« How can we carry the public with us through this pandemic if we force them to lose their income, their place of work, without supporting them through it? »
He said local leaders ‘costed’ the support people would need if they shut down parts of the hospitality industry
He added: « This is what we think we need to prevent poverty, to avoid hardship, to prevent homelessness. These are the numbers we had – not what we wanted – but what we needed to prevent all of these things from happening
« But the government refused to accept this and at 2 p.m. today they abandoned the negotiations
« In summary, at no time today have we been offered enough to protect the poorest people in our communities through the terrible reality of the coming winter »
He starts off by saying that many businesses are struggling and are on the verge of shutting down
He said that to accept what was proposed by the government would be to accept the difficulties in the region
« Let’s be clear who are most affected by a level 3 lockdown, the people working in the pub driving taxis, the ones often forgotten by those in power »
There is a strong participation of the press, according to our journalist on the spot
Our downtown reporter Charlotte Dobson says Sir Richard Leese arrived at the press conference outside Bridgewater Hall
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester, Boris Johnson, Coronavirus, Lockdown
World news – GB – LIVE: Andy Burnham holds press conference after level 3 negotiations fail
