Leading West Yorkshire politicians held a crunch meeting with Government officials last night amid mounting concern over rising coronavirus infection rates.

During frank discussions, the "next steps" for controlling Covid-19 were debated on a day that saw the infection rate in Leeds hit 393.5 per 100,000 people and Bradford creep up to 291.6 per 100,000 – still much lower than cities such as Nottingham (760), Liverpool (599.9), Manchester (524.7) and Newcastle (516.1).

But representatives from Bradford, Leeds, Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield are "concerned at rumours" their districts may be plunged into 'Alert Level 3' of a widely-anticipated new lockdown system and "remain to be convinced" that closing businesses would be the most effective approach.

Under the Government's three-tiered system, Level 3 – the most serious – could include the closure of hospitality and leisure businesses, no social contact outside your household in any setting, and no organised non-professional sports.

It is understood the West Yorkshire delegation argued that another lockdown would have a "devastating effect" on Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds and the overall regional economy.

There are fears that adequate economic measures are not yet in place to support affected people and businesses should West Yorkshire be placed in Level 3.

During last night's meeting, there was said to be "collective agreement" that the rising rates are a cause of major concern and that "pressure is growing" on NHS services in Bradford and neighbouring districts.

“We argued strongly that investment in local contact tracing along with sustained business and community engagement will make a real and significant difference to the infection rate, something which has been previously overlooked by Government," the Leaders of West Yorkshire's councils said in a joint statement afterwards.

They continued: "We also made clear that businesses need help and support now, both for those that cannot open, and for those that are suffering as a result of the restrictions.

“We have been informed that next week the Government is reviewing the restrictions in place across West Yorkshire. To avoid further measures being put in place we will need to ensure social distancing, self-isolation and other measures are being followed, and we have made clear that to do this effectively we need more support for our communities.”

The West Yorkshire council leaders have backed up the points made in the meeting in a letter to Minsters, which states: "We are extremely concerned about the prevalence of the virus and are determined to do everything in our power to control its spread.

"The statements from the Chancellor are helpful, but we believe more focused support is needed. In West Yorkshire we have learned about what works best to tackle our Covid-19 infection rates. Our understanding of our communities enables us to put nuanced solutions in place and to take a more proactive upstream approach to prevent transmission and outbreaks.

"Successfully tackling outbreaks involves an intensive programme of engagement with communities and businesses, mobilisation of community Covid-19 champions, local testing, targeted communication and local contact tracing. We remain to be convinced that further restrictions that involve closing businesses would be the most effective way of tackling the virus, particularly when the health of our economy, people’s jobs and livelihoods are at stake.

"Therefore, we are concerned by rumours in the media that we might be pushed into Level 3 of a new system set to be introduced, without any discussion or consultation, or without adequate economic measures put in place to support affected people and businesses. Another lockdown will have a devastating effect on our town and city centres and the overall regional economy. It will result in a levelling down of our region and undo the good work we have done over the last decade to improve the fortunes of our people.

"Before any decision is made, it is therefore crucially important that Government engages with us to take action that considers both the region’s health and economy."