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 therefore ask them to:

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.

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.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe – Leader of Bradford Council
Cllr Nick Forbes – Leader of Newcastle Council
Mayor Dan Jarvis – Sheffield City Region
Cllr Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council
Cllr Judith Blake – Leader of Leeds Council
Cllr Louise Gittins – Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council
Cllr Chris Read – Leader of Rotherham Council
Cllr Simon Henig – Leader of Durham Council
Mayor Paul Dennett – Mayor of Salford Council
Cllr Lynn Williams – Leader of Blackpool Council
Cllr Tim Swift – Leader of Calderdale Council
Cllr Mohammed Iqbal – Leader of Pendle Council
Cllr Ann Thomson – Leader of Barrow Council
Cllr Bob Cook – Leader of Stockton on Tees Council
Cllr Martin Gannon – Leader of Gateshead Council
Cllr Elise Wilson – Leader of Stockport Council
Cllr Steve Siddons – Leader of Scarborough Council
Cllr Paul Foster – Leader of South Ribble Council
Cllr Eamon O’Brien – Leader of Bury Council
Cllr David Molyneux – Leader of Wigan Council
Cllr Denise Jeffrey – Leader of Wakefield Council
Cllr Alyson Barnes – Leader of Rossendale Council
Cllr Sean Fielding – Leader of Oldham Council
Cllr Shabir Pandor – Leader of Kirklees Council
Cllr Janette Williamson – Leader of Wirral Council
Cllr Graeme Miller – Leader of Sunderland Council
Cllr Andrew Western – Leader of Trafford Council
Cllr Allen Brett – Leader of Rochdale Council
Cllr Russ Bowden – Leader of Warrington Council
Cllr Matthew Brown – Leader of Preston Council
Cllr Sam Corcoran – Leader of Cheshire East Council
Cllr Miles Parkinson – Leader of Hyndburn Council
Cllr Mark Townsend – Leader of Burnley Council
Cllr Alistair Bradley – Leader of Chorley Council
Cllr Ian Maher – Leader of Sefton Council
Cllr Ian Moran – Leader of West Lancashire Council
Cllr Steve Brady – Leader of Hull Council
Cllr Azhar Ali – Leader, Lancashire Labour Group
Cllr Danny Myers – Leader, Lancashire Labour Group York
Cllr Michael McVeigh – Leader, Copeland Labour Group
Cllr Colin Glover – Leader, Carlisle Labour Group