Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham speaks out as Tier 3 coronavirus talks break down

He was speaking after talks between the city-region and government broke down over a proposed Greater Manchester support package.

Mr Burnham said that leaders had tabled proposals for £15m per month which would help keep those who risk large parts of their wages being taken away through furlough from falling into destitution.

This worked out at £90m through to the end of the financial year at the end of March. He said that as they negotiated they were prepared to go down to £75m and then a "bare minimum" of £65m but the offer from Government "was nowhere near that and nowhere near enough."

Mr Burnham said: "Greater Manchester has been living with restrictions for three months and they have taken a heavy toll. Businesses are on the brink of closure and further restrictions without proper support are certain to increase poverty, homelessness and hardship.

"It cannot be right to close down someone's place of work without giving them realistic support.

"We costed detailed support of £90m, and in negotiations we got to £75m and then the bare minimum of £65m but the Government refused to accept this and they walked away from the negotiations.

"At no point were we offered anything close to reality of what is needed for the winter ahead.

"How can we carry the public with us through this pandemic by forcing them to lose their incomes and jobs?"

Mr Burnham said he did not believe we could proceed as a country on this basis and demanded that Parliament now take charge, reminding the nation that this issue is not just about Greater Manchester and that anywhere in the country could be affected by Tier 3 measures before the winter is out.

He said he was still willing to negotiate further with ministers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to hold a press conference at 5pm today to announce the next steps for Greater Manchester.

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