Health Secretary Matt Hancock is to make a statement to MPs in the House of Commons today giving an update on the latest changes to coronavirus rules.
Speaking this morning, business minister Nadhim Zahawi could not rule out that Health Secretary Matt Hancock will announce Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire being moved into Tier 3 restrictions.
The mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is meeting with Downing Street at 10am today ahead of the announcement.
Mr Zahawi appeared to suggest it was a foregone conclusion that Greater Manchester would have the most severe measures imposed when discussing the meeting later today between the region’s MPs and a health minister.
Mr Zahawi told Sky News: “I hope that they can be at the meeting and make time for that meeting so they can hear from the chief medical officer, from the deputy chief medical officer, as to why we’re having to take this action.”
But asked if saying “we’re having to take this action” meant the move had already been decided, the minister said: “What I’m saying to you is they need to see the data and of course that decision will be made jointly with local leaders.”
Later pressed again whether Mr Hancock will announce the moving of Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire into Tier 3, Mr Zahawi said: “I’m not going to speculate. Matt Hancock is going to make a statement to Parliament as to where we are at but you can clearly see the numbers, the virus is rising.”
Mr Hancock will confirm the latest coronavirus figures and measures when he stands up in the House of Commons at 11.30am.
As well as announcing any changes for the North East, North West and Midlands he could address calls for a national circuit-breaker lockdown.
SAGE experts have called for an immediate national lockdown, as well as a lockdown in December.
