Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, accused the Government this afternoon of 'walking away' from negotiations over a financial package which has left the region with just £22million of extra support, with Boris Johnson later ducking questions on why this was around half of what Lancashire and Liverpool City Region received.
Burnham said that the Greater Manchester Leaders had put forward a package to support people on the lowest incomes and the self employed, with a costed £15million per month, or £90million by the end of the financial year.
He added that the demand was later reduced to £75million, and then to £65million but "The Government refused to accept this and at 2pm walked away from negotiations. At no point today were we offered enough to protect the poorest people in our communities..." The Government apparently offered £60million.*
Burnham explained that he had made a commitment to those people that "we would look out for them and stand up for what is right...It cannot be right to close people's place of work, or to shut somebody's business without giving them proper support" and that "We could only accept further restrictions with full financial support...How can we carry the public with us through this pandemic if we are forcing them to lose their income without supporting them through that?
"I don't believe that we can proceed as a country on this basis through the pandemic, by grinding communities down" he added "We are asking a lot of the public and we need to carry them with us, not crush their spirit...
"I feel we are in a position today where the Government has walked away from us...walked away and taken the money away" he said "I find that a disgraceful state of affairs...It's brutal...This is no way to run a country – grinding people down...it's an act of grinding them into the dirt."
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, added that unemployment had already doubled in Greater Manchester between March and May..."We already know that Greater Manchester is in a precarious situation" he said "...Government are entering into multi million pound contracts at a national level but they can't find an extra £15million for the people of Greater Manchester."
Andy Burnham implored people to continue to follow public health advice and abide by the rules.
Later, Boris Johnson held his own press conference, saying that he "regretted" that agreement hadn't been reached...
"We made a generous and extensive offer to support Manchester's businesses" he said "This offer was proportionate to the support we have given Merseyside and Lancashire, but the Mayor didn't accept this unfortunately.
"And given the public health situation, I must now proceed with moving Greater Manchester, as I say, to the Very High alert level" he added "Because not to act would put Manchester's NHS, and the lives of many of Manchester's residents, at risk. Despite the failure to reach an agreement, I hope the Mayor and council leaders in Greater Manchester will now work with us to implement these measures..."
Later, Johnson was asked multiple times whether any further funding would be made available to Greater Manchester on top of the £22million, despite Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region receiving £42million and £44million respectively for a population way smaller – and each time he ducked the questions...
"Of course we want to give businesses and people in Greater Manchester the proper levels of support" he said "Our door remains open to Andy to discuss that, although we've got to keep it in line with deals already done..."
* Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, added in Parliament tonight that the £60million offered was still on the table...
Tier 3 Very High Alert Level means...
Pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals.
Households can't mix indoors or in most outdoor settings.
In some public outdoor spaces, groups must be limited to the rule of six.
People are advised not to travel into and out of the area.
Casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, adult gaming centres and soft play areas must close.
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