THE leader of Bradford Council has branded localised economic restrictions "a blunt instrument" to try and control the virus.

In a statement released today, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Windhill & Wrose, Labour) criticised the "absence" of health measures which she believes has led to the creation of the latest economic restrictions.

She accused the Government of not putting health measures "in place quickly enough to make the difference needed".

It's been a matter of weeks since Bradford Council first launched its localised test and trace programme, based on the model first piloted in Leicester.

And while the Council said its test and trace programme is "starting to make a difference", it has called for "more tools" to bring the local infection rate down further.

Read more: Local test and trace system being rolled out in Bradford

"We are given 1500 testing kits a week for a district which has 537,000 people for example," Cllr Hinchcliffe said.

“In the absence of those health measures being in place, the Government resorts to local economic restrictions to try and control the virus, they are a blunt instrument for a health pandemic and undoubtedly damage local economies. Vast swathes of the North are subject to these now."

It follows Labour leader Keir Starmer's debate during Prime Minister's Question's (PMQs) today when he asked about the Government's lockdown strategy for areas like Bradford, Bury and Oldham.

Sir Keir said: “In some lockdown areas infection rates are still going up. In towns like Bradford, Bury and Oldham restrictions have now been in place for months.

"These communities feel things are getting worse, not better."

Read more: Labour leader asks Boris Johnson what is lockdown strategy for Bradford

In response, Mr Johnson says the government is working with local authorities across the country, adding: “Nobody wants to impose restrictions of these kind, whether in Bradford or anywhere else in the country.

“Frankly when you have the virus going up the way it is, you have to take strong local action."

And while Cllr Hinchcliffe aired her frustrations at the Government's approach in Bradford, she has also urged residents to put their "angry" feelings towards the current situation aside and recognise the danger this virus poses.

The statement in full

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said: “The right response to a health pandemic is a health response. This means efficient and available testing, track and trace, community engagement and support for the low paid to self-isolate. But all these elements have not been put in place quickly enough by Government to make the difference needed.  We have all seen the struggles around testing nationally over the last few weeks. At the same time the Government has only just announced £500 to support the low paid to self-isolate when we’ve been asking for such a scheme for months now.

“In the absence of those health measures being in place, the Government resorts to local economic restrictions to try and control the virus, they are a blunt instrument for a health pandemic and undoubtedly damage local economies. Vast swathes of the North are subject to these now.

“What we are doing here in Bradford is developing our own local test and trace and funding it ourselves. We’ve also got a strong programme of community engagement working 7 days a week, daytime and evenings - this includes using home testing kits. We think this plan of action is starting to make a difference. But we need more of these tools to really bring the infection rate down. We are given 1500 testing kits a week for a district which has 537,000 people for example.

“I would remind everyone that this virus is serious. I know personally people who in the last week have become seriously ill with COVID and have been admitted to hospital. I would encourage everyone to practise social distancing, to wash your hands and to wear face coverings. The virus is real, active and at dangerous levels and regardless of how angry people may be with national government, I want everyone in Bradford district to stay safe.”