THE leader of Bradford Council has today announced that she will "stand alongside Greater Manchester" to protect the district's economy and people's health.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe has signed her name alongside a long list of Northern leaders calling for a package of measures to improve test, track and isolate as well as provide clarity on the Tiers.

The letter comes after a bitter wrangling over money with Greater Manchester led to the highest level of restrictions being imposed from Whitehall without an agreement.

The Prime Minister told MPs he would now bypass Greater Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham and offer £60 million to local councils.

Greater Manchester asked for £90 million for 2.8 million people,  equating to £32 per head of population.

The Prime Minister confirmed to MPs that the £60 million for business support – which is in line with the offer for South Yorkshire of approximately £22 per capita – would be distributed to the region’s boroughs.

The Government has also agreed to £22 million to help authorities implement and enforce restrictions – approximately £8 per capita.

Speaking today, Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “Together with Labour Leaders all across the North of England I stand alongside Greater Manchester. Government should not seek to try and subjugate great Northern cities for standing up for their business community. 

"The Mayor and Leaders are making reasonable requests for business support at a time when the North has been struggling with restrictions for months already.

"Many of the places we represent in the North have been in restrictions for months now.

"We know the health crisis is real, we are working day in, day out to curb the rates of infection. We want to save the NHS and save lives. But whilst we do so, we ask Government to help us preserve our local business community, so that when this is over and the health crisis is past, there are still jobs to come back to.”

What do leaders of the North want?

  1. Immediately introduce an improved and locally flexible Business Compensation Package for all areas subject to Tier Two and Tier Three restrictions
  2. Commit to a fully funded, locally controlled system of Test and Trace
  3. Guarantee minimum levels for furlough payments: furlough payments must not fall below the Minimum Wage
  4. Publish a clear entrance and exit strategy to Tiered Lockdowns based on local indicators
  5. Grant enhanced and resourced local enforcement powers to ensure compliance
  6. Ensure consistency and transparency of all support packages

A further joint statement from all leaders in the North said: "As leaders in the North, we stand alongside the Mayor and Leaders in Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester asked for £90 million for 2.8 million people. At £32 per head of population, we are shocked that the Government thought this too much money. The North is worth it.

"We call on MPs of all parties to support today’s motion in the House of Commons calling for the Job Retention Scheme to cover 80% of previous incomes – to reject it would be unfair, unjust, and wrong. Many of the places we represent in the North have been in restrictions for months now. People will lose their jobs and businesses.  Families will lose their livelihoods and homes. Our unemployment rates are already starting to soar. Businesses are already on their knees. Despite our repeated requests, Government has offered nothing for businesses in Tier 2 restrictions. Further economic restrictions in Tier 3 without adequate compensation means even greater hardship.

"The Government’s focus on trying to get economic restrictions on the cheap has been a huge distraction for the North as we fight the virus.  A health pandemic calls for a health response and that is what we as Leaders are focused on above all else.  We are deeply concerned about the rising infection rates in the North and we want a working relationship with Government where we jointly make the Test, Trace and Isolate strategy work.

"We’re standing with our communities in the North and will do whatever it takes in this battle of our lives with coronavirus.  We ask the Government to stand with us rather than seeking to divide us, and provide the proper support we need to win this fight."