海角视频

Sacha Lord, night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, has said he "remains hopeful" that step four of the Government's roadmap will still take place on June 21.

He said: "I welcome the Government’s decisive action today to help drive down cases in Greater Manchester and would like to thank all partners involved in increasing the roll out of vaccines across all boroughs.

"We remain hopeful that with these measures in place, step 4 of the roadmap on 21 June will go ahead, however we must not allow a disregard for the guidance now to affect those chances.

"We must all continue to work as one to help prevent a surge of infections delaying our exit from this crisis, from those taking the time to discuss vaccine concerns with friends and family, to the thousands of businesses who have worked hard to implement measures to aid the reduction in transmission.

"I’d like to remind the public that hospitality operators across Greater Manchester have created safe, secure environments, however I am aware some social plans may change as a result of today’s announcement.

"Given the stark financial ledge many venues are balancing on, it remains imperative that hotels and restaurants are given notice of any cancellations ahead of time.

"I continue to urge the public to treat our hospitality sector with respect and offer them the best chance of recovery post-Covid."

Andy Burnham is asked about the roadmap.

He says it's a national decision and there must not be a return to local lockdowns.

The Mayor adds that he's not against "sensible changes" to dates in the roadmap if central government considers that to be necessary.

ITV then asks whether June 21 now seems "totally unrealistic".

Mr Burnham says no, not necessarily.

Maya Wolfe-Robinson from The Guardian asks about the higher rates among school age kids. Does Andy Burnham support kids being vaccinated with Pfizer?

Yes, he says, starting with 16-18-year-olds. They've made that case to the JCVI.

Let's follow the evidence, he says, and the way the virus is progressing. There is international experience to draw on via the roll-out to children in the US.

There is an 'absolutely robust case' for rolling out to 16 to 18-year-olds.

Andy Burnham, in response to a question from Channel 4, says again that this new guidance is not a local lockdown.

He says it's about people acting sensibly and reasonably.

The mayor says it's "unhelpful" to ramp this up to larger than it is.

"Life is changing all the while and that has been the story this whole pandemic", he adds.

Inzy Rashid from Sky asks about vaccine hesitancy in the North West. Has the inability to convince people left the area falling behind and potentially stopping the whole country from leaving restrictions on June 21?

Andy Burnham says there has been difficulty all over the country overcoming vaccine hestitancy; and actually GM is doing well on vaccine take-up.

There's good evidence from around the boroughs and they have got good at figuring out what works.

Following the new guidance issued by the Government for Greater Manchester and Lancashire, a total of 5.7 million people now live in areas of England covered by the enhanced coronavirus restrictions, which include minimising travel in and out of the affected areas and to meet outside rather than indoors.

This is the equivalent of 10% of the population of England.

The restrictions apply to areas where the new Covid-19 variant - known officially as the Delta variant - is spreading quickly.

The areas are the local authorities of Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Kirklees, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside, along with the 10 Metropolitan borough councils in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan) and the 12 local councils covered by Lancashire County Council (Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Wyre).

Now a question from Andy Bounds of the FT.

He asks what their understanding is of the vaccine supply situation - would Greater Manchester need to take supply from somewhere else, or, is there a load sat in stockpile that we could have?

He also asks if this package can have an impact if we don't have that extra supply? Which is it?

In response, Mr Burnham says if we allow this to continue unchecked, it will risk new variants appearing.

Bolton were given extra flexibility around vaccination and the ability to move more quickly; they did get some extra supply. They want to see the same approach apply more broadly to the rest of Greater Manchester.

My colleague Jennifer Williams at the Manchester Evening News asks whether this travel guidance could hit the Greater Manchester visitor economy.

Yes, says Sir Richard Leese, that is a concern.

He also welcomes the approach being taken now, so that they have the opportunity to get a difficult situation under control to stop it 'getting ludicrously out of hand'.

They don't support any separate lockdown arrangements for Greater Manchester and they would be looking for support for businesses.

He adds that he doesn't think there is a case for that at the moment but it's something they will keep under review, particularly if this situation persists for any length of time.

Mr Burnham says hopefully this is shortlived; this is early intervention to be able to protect the economy for the coming summer.

A bit more here on Andy Burnham's comments on accelerating vaccinations.

He says that accelerating vaccinations would "allow us to go further and faster in those areas where we need to drive the take-up, where those case rates are highest".

He added that if the Government agreed to release vaccine doses to Greater Manchester early, "we are very confident that we will have the tools that we need to turn the rising cases around".

The mayor said: "And that's not just about protecting Greater Manchester, it is of course about protecting the whole country from the wider spread of the Delta variant."

Now we come to the part of the press conference where members of the media can put questions to Andy Burnham and Sir Richard Leese.

Michael Gaffney from LBC asks the mayor about reports that the national NHS has been resistent to elements of surge vaccination. How have these conversations been going? Do they get it that our communities and others in the NW might need a different approach.

Mr Burnham says the view expressed by himself and SRL today is a 'system' view not just a political one. There should have been an acceleration of the programme in the parts of the country where health is poorest. It now becomes more urgent.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for Lancashire County Council, said cases were continuing to rise at a "worrying pace".

He said: "Over the past three weeks, additional surge testing and vaccinations has been undertaken in Burnley, and we have been pushing for this to be rolled out across the county.

"The Government has listened to our calls and has now agreed to provide Lancashire with enhanced support, which gives us more flexibility to fight this new wave of infections.

"As such, asymptomatic PCR testing will be opened up to everyone in Lancashire.

"Improving vaccination uptake is also going to be a crucial element in our efforts to contain this latest wave.

"As well as securing first doses for those who have not had one, it is also vital that we get people fully vaccinated with two doses, as this will offer maximum protection against the Delta variant.

"Anyone who is over 18, subject to eligibility, can book their jab now, over the coming weeks we will be offering the vaccine in more convenient locations."

Also away from the press conference, Denise Park, chairwoman of the Lancashire Resilience Forum's Recovery Co-ordination Group, has said they are seeing "worrying increases" in the virus in parts of Lancashire and "we have all got a part to play to control the spread".

She urged everyone who was eligible for the vaccine to have it and those waiting for second doses to contact their GP or 119 to see if it could be brought forward.

She added: "We are getting enhanced support from Government to ramp up testing and offering the vaccine in more convenient locations in coronavirus hotspots.

"Please take advantage of this extra support so we can turn the tide against this latest wave of infections.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel, but one thing Covid has taught us is that we can never count it out - and we must all work together as we have done throughout the pandemic to keep our communities safe."

Away from the press conference, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that Government advice asking people to restrict their movements and not meet indoors across Greater Manchester due to a rise in Covid cases casts doubt over full easing of restrictions on June 21 across the city region.

The business lobby group said today’s new message to avoid unnecessary travel and meeting indoors would be seen by many as a ‘partial local lockdown’, and would prevent some businesses closed since last year from reopening with the rest of the country on June 21.

The FSB added that the Government should act quickly to affirm businesses in affected areas would not have to resume paying business rates on July 1, and called for new financial support packages with the focus on sooner rather than later. Business rates are currently exempt in retail hospitality and leisure, but payments resume next month, although at a reduced rate.

"On Monday Matt Hancock told Parliament vaccines have broken the link between Covid infections andhospitalisations but now we’re being told to limit our movements and avoid indoor situations. This is a devasting ground-hog day for Greater Manchester,” said FSB development manager in GM, Robert Downes.

He added: "The guidance leaves many questions unanswered, particularly about how affected businesses will be compensated as we are now in a very different place now today. It will feel to many like a partial local lockdown, and it’s hard to argue with that.

"Today’s development also adds a real air of uncertainty to what June 21 will look like here. We need some clarification about what this means for us in GM – especially with the business rates holiday about to end. We are in the situation again where we here are being asked to do things differently than most other places.

"As was the case last year, if businesses are open, facing ongoing running costs but with their customers being advised to stay away, this will only do further damage to their ability to survive, and further financial support is crucial if this advice proves to affect footfall and result in a drop in trade.

"We should also think about what this means for the wider town and city centre recovery. This will have dampened any enthusiasm for a return to work for many office workers and bosses, and daytime economy businesses will be just reeling at this development."

The Mayor says he has 'every reason to believe that what has been announced today will work'.

He also says that heunderstands the fatigue among the public about advice changes and also understand concerns among businesses.

Mr Burnham adds that he doesn't want more than Greater Manchester's fair share of vaccines, but the "bringing forward" of the region's supply over the next three weeks, particularly so they can jab high-risk areas.

Andy Burnham adds that there is "encouraging news" that Bolton has had similar measures to this and the signs are that it's working.

He is pleased that the Bolton-style measures are being brought in sooner in other boroughs than it was there, comparatively.

Andy Burnham has said it is "very important to keep a sense of proportion".

He says "this is guidance, it's advice to the public, it is not a lockdown and not a ban.

"It's very imporant that we are clear about what this is.

"It's asking people to be careful about setting new plans and minimising non-essential travel.

"That is a sensible approach in our view."

He adds that people should be "more cautious and vigilant".

"People can go about living their lives."

Sir Richard Leese says that people don't have to cancel trips or parties.

GM is still under the national system and clear that he does not support local lockdowns.

He adds that the guidance is there to encourage people to behave sensibly.

'There is strain on the system', he adds however.

He also says that the new guidance does not stop how GM's economy is working now.

Sir Richard Leese has also confirmed the total number of doses of vaccines which have been given to Greater Manchester residents as of June 5.

First doses: 1,632,293

Second doses: 1,101,916

67% or all adults have been given the first dose, and 45% have had their second.

Sir Richard Leese starts by going through the infection rates by borough.

For Greater Manchester overall, there's been a "very significant increase" over the last seven days, although Bolton is now "going down quite rapidly".

He adds that everywhere else is going up quite significantly and that they're seeing "quite high prevalence rates" across Greater Manchester. Most places are above 100 cases per 100,000.

Among the over-60s they're seeing an increase in that bracket while among younger people the rates are rising.

Andy Burnham has said there has just been a meeting of the Greater Manchester emergency Covid committee, which takes place each fortnight.

He adds that the 'significant development today' will be discussed shortly.

The context needs to be set though so Sir Richard Leese will go through the data.

A Department of Health and Social Care release has confirmed the full list of additional measures to be introduced across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

They include:

• Surge Rapid Response Teams, a specialist team, can be deployed to support local authorities with logistics, planning and workforce to support measures such as testing, door-to-door visits to engage with residents and other activities;
• Military support to help local areas with testing, door-to-door community engagement, planning and logistics with decisions made based on local needs, including support from the nationally funded Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA);
• supervised in-school testing;
• wastewater testing samples prioritised for sequencing;
• specialist communications support to increase awareness and focus engagement with disadvantaged groups;
• maximising vaccine uptake by expanding existing assets, developing new capacity and increasing local and targeted communications;
• supervised in-school testing and discretion to reintroduce face coverings in communal areas in schools if Directors of Public Health decide it is appropriate;
• surge testing and enhanced contact tracing;
• and enhanced monitoring (genomic sequencing, genotype assay testing).

The MP for Blackburn Kate Hollern has said the new guidance issued by the Government today for Greater Manchester and Lancashire is "beginning to feel like a local lockdown in all but name".

She tweeted: "Additional support for testing, welcome though it is, isn't going to make a dent on the rising level of infections in Blackburn, Lancashire and Manchester.

"What we need is surge-vaccinations across the region, where we have some of the highest infection rates in the country.

"Since 26 May I have been asking for additional vaccines for Blackburn, but our requests have been repeatedly rejected.

"If the Government listened to local leaders and directors of public health and made more vaccines available, this situation could've been avoided.

"I'm not sure about other MPs, but I wasn't made aware of the announcement by the Health Secretary today, nor consulted.

"If the Government wants to minimise travel in & out of Lancashire, it will also need to set out its plans for additional financial support for businesses - many of which have been on a cliff-edge & unable to re-open properly for longer than almost anywhere else in the country."

Conclusive data on the effectiveness of vaccines against the 海角视频's dominant Covid-19 variant will be available in the next couple of weeks, according to Matt Hancock.

The Health Secretary told MPs officials are working on developing the "absolutely critical" figure showing the efficacy of jabs at reducing serious diseases and hospital admissions for the Delta variant first identified in India.

He revealed the timetable after Conservative former minister Mark Harper, chairman of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group, pressed for further details.

The 海角视频 Government is expected to decide next week whether to proceed with a further easing of restrictions in England on June 21, dubbed "freedom day" by some, amid concerns about the Delta variant.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is due to speak at 2pm.

He is expected to address the updated guidance from the Government for the region as well as Lancashire.

We will bring you all the updates as they happen.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government was “providing a strengthened package of support” to tackle the rise in the Delta variant.

He told MPs in the House of Commons: “I can tell the House that today working with local authorities, we are providing a strengthened package of support based on what’s working in Bolton, to help Greater Manchester and Lancashire tackle the rise in the Delta variant that we’re seeing there.

“This includes rapid response teams, putting in extra testing, military support and supervised in school testing. I want to encourage everyone in Manchester and Lancashire to get the tests on offer.

“We know that this approach can work, we’ve seen it work in south London and in Bolton in stopping a rise in the number of cases.

“This is the next stage of tackling the pandemic in Manchester and in Lancashire, and of course it’s vital that people in these areas – as everywhere else – come forward and get the jab as soon as they’re eligible because that is our way out of this pandemic together.”

Mark Eastwood (Dewsbury, Conservative) says hospitalisations and deaths in his area remain low despite a rise in cases.

He asks for a reassurance there will be "no need" for restrictions in the future.

Nadhim Zahawi, Vaccines Minister, says: "I would reassure him that we want the whole country to come out of this lockdown together."

Mr Hancock says we are providing a strengthened package of support to tackle the rise of the Delta variant - including rapid response teams, in-school support and testing.

"We know this approach can work. We've seen it work in South London and Bolton in stopping a rise in cases."

This is the next phase in tackling the pandemic and it is vital people get the jab as "that's our way out of the pandemic together."

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has made a call for all over 50s in the region to get their second vaccination.

He tweeted: It’s important that all over-50s in Greater Manchester come forward now for their second jabs.

"Just had mine today, dead easy and all down to the brilliant team at the Etihad MVC!"

Matt Hancock has now returned to answering questions from MPs.

He is talking about the funding to support the delivery of 40 new hospitals by 2030. "I am delighted this includes Kettering General Hospital."

There will now be 48 hospitals built, he adds.

The Department of Health has confirmed Health Secretary Matt Hancock will speak about help for Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire later today, BBC News have reported.

They added that details were not finalised in time for his appearance at Health and Social Care Questions in Commons this morning.

Health minister Nadine Dorries is now answering questions about mental health services.

Ian Levy (Blyth Valley, Conservative) asks if mental health will be given the highest priority after the pandemic.

The minister says we are expanding and investing £2.3bn in mental health services.

To clarify, we still have not received or heard any official communication from the Government about the looming guidance.

We will bring you the very latest as and when we hear it.

Liz Kendall (Leicester West, Labour) says 685 days ago the PM promised to fix the crisis in social care.

Since then, thousands have died and carers have been pushed to "breaking point." Does the minister that's giving people security? After a decade in power, she asks when her government will deliver?

Social care minister Helen Whately says the pandemic has strengthened the "already strong case for reform of social care."

"Now is the moment and we will seize this opportunity."

Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West, Lib Dem) says asks if the minister can commit to crossparty talks to fix the social care crisis throughout the 海角视频.

Helen Whately says "we must support carers in the care they do, but also to live their own lives", which is why respite care is "so important."

Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East, Labour) says this crisis isn't new and people are routinely forced to sell family homes to pay for care and workers are "paid peanuts".

Helen Whately, Minister of State for Social Care, responds by saying the Government has "rightly focused on social care through the pandemic."

It has been six month to the day since the start of the vaccination drive in the 海角视频.

Matt Hancock adds that 68 million vaccines have been given out across the country so far.

He said: "The opening up and return of our freedoms is only possible because of our vaccination effort."

SNP spokesperson Dr Phillipa Whitford says the Scottish NHS has been separate since 1948.

She asks Matt Hancock about some of his decisions that made it harder to fight Covid.

Last September, the six-week delay allowed the Kent variant to spread across the 海角视频. She asks why he didn't follow scientific advice then.

Mr Hancock says the attempt at division is "deeply regrettable."

Of course it is managed under the devolution settlement and locally it "ill beholds politicians to try and divide the NHS, which is a wonderful institution."

He said these are "difficult judgements based on the data." We face "a challenging decision" ahead of June 21.

Matt Hancock adds that it is a partnership from which the people of Scotland benefit.

Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative) says the NHS is facing a huge challenging due to delays as a result of lockdown.

He asks Mr Hancock what steps are being taken to ensure the truly national health service will be able to support delivery.

Mr Hancock describes the NHS as one of Britain's "proudest achievements."

Matt Hancock is making a statement to the House of Commons during Health and Social Questions this morning.

He says the 海角视频 Government works closely with the Scottish Government to provide a co-ordinated approach.

"For instance the 海角视频 govt has provided £1.2bn in Barnet funding."

A total of 12 care home resident deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales were registered in the week to May 28, down 52% on the previous week.

This is the lowest number of care home resident deaths registered in a single week since the pandemic began.

In total, 42,498 care home residents in England and Wales have now had Covid-19 recorded on their death certificate.

The ONS figures cover deaths of care home residents in all settings, not just in care homes.

We are expecting a statement from Mr Hancock in the House of Commons some time after 11.30am.

Last week Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for Lancashire, called for for the entire county to be declared an enhanced response area to allow surge testing and extra vaccinations to be delivered across the county.

Dr Karunanithi described a “gaping hole” in the national system’s support for areas which “have always been vulnerable during this pandemic”.

“Preston hasn't been identified as an enhanced response area," he said.

"I’m hoping that will change very soon - but if not, and the [admission] rates go up in the hospital, it would be as though with the first wave we had a chance to develop insight, with the second wave we had a chance to have hindsight and if there is now a third wave, it would show that we didn't have foresight.

“We're working on having much more accessible locations and making it easier for people to receive the vaccine. We are working with community champions and getting people through to, say, the St. John’s Shopping Centre [vaccine hub] in Preston, providing facilitated access [using] hyper-local community engagement for people who have refused their vaccines.

“However, walk-in centres and vaccine buses that go round to village halls - we could really do that if it was controlled by us locally. But it isn't and that’s the issue at the moment.”

All over-25s in England are able to book a first dose of the Covid vaccine from today.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the latest stage of the jab rollout in the House of Commons on Monday.

He told MPs: "From tomorrow morning we will open up vaccination to people aged 25 to 29." He added texts will follow through the week.

He said the vaccine was "breaking" the "rock-solid link" between case rises and rises in hospitalisations and deaths.

The Delta ('Indian') variant now makes up the vast majority of all cases in the 海角视频, Mr Hancock warned. But he issued new figures showing just three of those worst-hit by the variant had been double-jabbed.

The more adults that get vaccinated, the less need there is to vaccinate children, a leading member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said.

Professor Adam Finn, from the University of Bristol, who is part of the body that will decide whether vaccinating children is necessary, has said that a decision on whether to jab youngsters is a "hard call".

On Tuesday, he tweeted: "Vaccination achieves 2 things. It reduces your risk of getting sick with COVID & it reduces the chance you'll infect others.

"If more adults get vaccinated there'll be less need to immunise healthy children who have very low risk of getting sick but badly need schools to stay open."

A representative of Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester's night time economy adviser, has said he will issue a comment on the developing story this afternoon.

He will send out a statement after a planned press conference to be held by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham which is due to take place at 2pm.

The number of deaths involving coronavirus registered each week in England and Wales has dropped below 100 for the first time in nearly nine months.

A total of 95 deaths registered in the week ending May 28 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It is the first time the number has been below 100 since the week to September 11.

It is also the lowest total since the week to September 4.

The figures reflect the steady fall in Covid deaths since January, with the combined impact of social restrictions and the vaccine rollout continuing to drive down the spread of the virus.

Kate Hollern, MP for Blackburn, has tweeted the following in response to this morning's news:

I hope "more resources to deploy vaccines" also means more vaccines.

I'm sure the financial support will be matched with the public health measures.