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Coronavirus: Andy Burnham says he would accept Tier 3 restrictions if imposed on Greater Manchester

He tells Sky News the "late-night ultimatum" was "a bit provocative" but a minister says the government wants to "work together".

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'Tier 3 lockdown will cause certain harm'
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Andy Burnham says he will keep to the law and "accept" Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions for Greater Manchester if the government imposes them.

The region's mayor told Sky News it was ministers' "prerogative" to announce the measures, if negotiations over the next few hours end in stalemate.

He and other local leaders have been given until midday today to reach an agreement on moving three million people into England's highest band of coronavirus controls.

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19:  People make their way to work past an electronic Covid-19 warning sign advises people entering Manchester city centre on October 19, 2020 in Manchester, England. Greater Manchester's leaders including Mayor Andy Burnham will want better financial arrangements for workers affected before they agree for the region to be moved into a Tier 3 Covid-19 lockdown. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Image: The government has set a deadline of midday

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said last night there have been 10 days of talks in "good faith" but they are still in deadlock.

If there is no breakthrough, he suggested Prime Minister Boris Johnson could impose measures unilaterally as COVID-19 spreads through Greater Manchester and public health "continues to deteriorate".

Which tier is my area - and what are the new rules?
Which tier is my area - and what are the new rules?

Responding, Mr Burnham told Kay Burley: "We wouldn't break the law… We would obviously have to accept that decision, in the end it's the government's prerogative."

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But he warned the change would hurt "the lowest paid in society" like pub workers and taxi drivers, so Downing Street needs to pledge more financial support for firms forced to stop trading.

A man wearing a face mask in Manchester city centre as the row over Greater Manchester's coronavirus status continues.
Image: The mayor is fighting for more financial support for firms and workers

"If you're going to impose a lockdown here it's going to cause certain harm to all the people I've mentioned," Mr Burnham said.

"I don't believe we can consign our residents to hardship in that way."

A COVID warning sign in Liverpool, which has been placed under the highest Tier 3 restrictions
Image: Greater Manchester could follow Lancashire into Tier 3

Overnight, it emerged Mr Jenrick had offered £22m - around £8 per person - for "individuals, businesses, and the wider region" affected by the Tier 3 move.

Mr Burnham said the "late-night ultimatum" was "a bit provocative" and accused ministers of "trying to penny pinch", but revealed he is consulting today with other local politicians and they will respond with "what we think is a fair figure".

He told Sky News: "There was a reference in the letter to potential additional support. We have never had a figure for that - what that might mean - so it's a bit odd to be given an ultimatum when we don't think we've concluded those discussions."

"I will respond as positively and constructively as I can," he promised.

Earlier, business minister Nadhim Zahawi said the government was offering Greater Manchester politicians "a good package" and there could be "more to come" on top of the £22m already offered.

A member of the ambulance service wearing personal protective equipment is seen leading a patient (unseen) into an ambulance at St Thomas' Hospital in London on March 24, 2020. - Britain's leaders on Tuesday urged people to respect an unprecedented countrywide lockdown, saying that following advice to stay at home would stop people dying of coronavirus. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Mr Zahawi warned about intensive care unit beds filling up

But he cautioned swift action was necessary because by the first week of November at the current trajectory, there will be no intensive care uni beds in Greater Manchester.

"We owe it to the people of Manchester to work together - let's make this happen now," he told Kay Burley.

"We have to put the lives of the people of Greater Manchester ahead of all of our interests.

"I genuinely hope Andy will come and agree this because I think it's important that he and other local leaders speak as one with government. This is a joint effort."

Mr Zahawi added a full lockdown would "damage the whole of the economy" so more localised approaches are needed.