Andy Burnham says Greater Manchester would prefer Tier 2 move and "more modest" Christmas

Speaking ahead of a review into the government's Covid-19 tier restrictions, Mr Burnham said most residents would opt for the "steady-as-she-goes" approach through Christmas and the New Year and see the area downgraded from Tier 3 to Tier 2.

His comments come as sterner warnings are expected to be issued by the four UK nations on the dangers of mixing over Christmas - although sources say the rules allowing three households to mix between December 23 and December 27 are unlikely to change.

The rules for 23 to 27 December will be discussed by officials later.

Mr Burnham told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If the choice today was, for me, Tier 2 with a more modest Christmas, I think most people in Greater Manchester would say ‘Absolutely, we will go for that steady-as-she-goes approach through Christmas and the New Year’.

Asked what people should be doing at Christmas, Mr Burnham feared that the closure of hospitality in a "blanket way" such as in London will create more social gatherings at home and create the most spread of the virus.

He said: “A month ago I said the balance wasn’t right here, we were adopting something of a feast-famine approach of very strict restrictions to allow too much loosening over Christmas – I still stand by that.

“There’s another reason I would just put into the mix – if we place cities in Tier 3 through this period, particularly around the New Year, I think the closure of hospitality in a blanket way will create more social gatherings at home and that’s what the experts say to us creates most spread of the virus.

“I think a more sensible approach will be Tier 2 with a more modest Christmas.”

Mr Burnham said people should be thinking about changing their Christmas plans and not travelling to see relatives.

Asked if not travelling over the festive period should be the “firm” advice, he said: “I think that’s where we are heading.

“I think it is potentially difficult now to change the plans that people have made.

“But I think that the strong messaging does have to come in, and I think people should now be thinking about changing their plans; I just think that is where we are.

He added: “It always was the case that five days, three households, in my view, was too much and I think people would have preferred a steadier approach through December into January.”

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