Greater Manchester to be placed under stricter coronavirus controls

The region’s mayor Andy Burnham held last-ditch talks with the Prime Minister earlier on Tuesday aimed at securing additional financial support for his consent on new restrictions.

But Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the discussions have concluded “without an agreement” and accused the mayor of being “unwilling to take the action that is required”.

Pubs and bars will be closed, unless they are serving substantial meals, for a 28-day period, along with betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and soft play areas.

Downing Street was unable to immediately confirm when the measures would come into effect.

Mr Jenrick said in a statement: “I’m disappointed that despite recognising the gravity of the situation, the mayor has been unwilling to take the action that is required to get the spread of the virus under control in Greater Manchester and reach an agreement with the Government.

“I have therefore advised the Prime Minister that these discussions have concluded without an agreement.”

The Cabinet minister issued Greater Manchester leaders an ultimatum on Monday night warning that if a deal could not be reached by midday then the Government would have to act.

Mr Burnham was reportedly seeking around £65 million in additional support if Tier 3 restrictions were to be imposed.

The Government is said to have offered £60 million.

However, in a furious statement after the collapse of talks Mr Burnham said £65m was a "bare minimum" reduced from an initial figure of around £90m which was thought to be required.

He said the Government's offer in response was "nowhere near that".

It is not yet clear how much financial support the region will receive.

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership on Tuesday afternoon called on Mr Johnson to give the city-region the amount its local leaders were requesting.

The organisation said councils and elected mayors should have a say on what happens at the end of the four weeks of restrictions and asked for track and trace to be devolved across the whole of the north of England.

The new measures could lead to the closure of more than 1,800 pubs and 140 wine bars, as well as 277 betting shops and 12 casinos, according to the real estate adviser Altus Group.

Downing Street said talks are continuing with local leaders in the North West, as well as the North East and Yorkshire and Humber, about further coronavirus restrictions.