So wtf are we doing in Manchester then?

[bingowingsmcgee]

Is anyone any the wiser?

@TazMac

ok well if it is students - then they probably wont worry about their own mortality and probably think most old people are disposable .

Would they realise that both if we have repeated lockdowns OR if we let the virus spread - that BOTH could affect business and their future jobs ?

I don't know what the answer is but finances could make them think rather than being considerate of the NHS or their parents?

I am aware not all students will be the same BTW .

Well we had more discussions over the weekend. Still looking as clear as mud to me!

According to the DM (I know), tier 3 is going to be forced on us tomorrow.

I'm sure Johnson's 9 GM MPs will be delighted with him if it is.

Well they need to do something my local MP is in hospital with Pneumonia caused by COViD

I read conflicting reports, depending on what media I’m reading! Who knows, I’m just waiting for instruction. The frustrating thing is not being able to plan ahead.

I don’t understand why they still want to force us into tier 3 when the rates of infection are significantly slowing across the whole of greater Manchester. 2.9% increase in a week instead of the 68% increase only a couple of weeks ago.

Three boroughs now have rates of infection going down!

Johnson would like to try and make political capital from Burnham's opposition.

Just listening to R4. Agree to tier 3, or it will be imposed this afternoon.

I’m in Greater Manchester and I hope Burnham agrees. The hospital capacity is not looking good and the rates in the area are terrible. Almost every school with cases, Tier 3 should hopefully limit social contact if people actually play by the rules.

Happy Tier 3 day everyone. Our long weekend in Anglesey has been cancelled, due to the wales lockdown. We were hoping to book something in the Peaks or Lakes instead but we won't be able to do that if we're in Tier 3. First world problems but it's the 3rd break we have had cancelled this year.

@NannyMcphee39 the hospital capacity figures are being politically twisted. Beds in use are lower than they were in Oct 2019 and include figures like Stockport being nearly full with 14 ICU beds, when MRI has over 200! GM Trust has been briefed not to provide media with any requests for data which says it all!

@Dugee I'm with you, have a Lakes break booked for Friday arrival (booked a year ago) so just waiting for the nod to trigger the cancellation later.

I think the whole situation is disgusting and I'm 100% behind Burnham. Yes rates are high in GM, but they are falling. Although something needs to be done, I don't think Tier 3 is the answer (as backed up my Chris Whitty etc). I worry greatly about the poor in our area not being able to pay bills/children going hungry this winter.

@ritzbiscuits I wondered that about timing of the news on hospital. But my friend in nursing told me a few weeks ago that they were starting to talk about redeployment of staff to deal with increased demand. That's not usual.

I agree with you btw that Burnham is right to stand up to the government. It's his job to get the best deal he can for the people of GM. Seems like he is at the end of the line now. I think its awful that no one is listening to him. Maybe if the numbers are dropping then tier 3 will get the credit.

Apart from pubs that dont serve food who is going to be especially affected?

Final thought: tier 3 travel restrictions aren't legally binding are they? Would it be such a problem to go to the lakes if you're healthy?

I ❤️ Andy Burnham.

My favourite TV clip is Andy Burnham at the 20th Hillsborough memorial where he tries to make a speech and 30 000 people hand him his arse on a plate.

Unlike most MPs he didn't just scurry off to London, He went back and kicked up a fuss and that lead to the 2014 wnquiry.

5 years later

Rates are not falling everywhere , Bolton,s rates are the highest they have ever been and we came out of the tier three type restrictions that where imposed on us 😭

Jen Williams from the MEN has done a great piece on how impossible it is to find statistics on ICU capacity. If it genuinely is approaching capacity then why is that the case? Also the the government has wheeled another ‘prediction’ about cases doubling and ICU being full in early November. But what’s the source of that? And the assumptions? And does it stand scrutiny based on infection rates starting to fall.

The government look like bullies who are trying to spin their way to making GM leaders accept a lockdown on the cheap. People are seeing the through the lies. The government are just bloody minded to force more restrictions so they can look like they are doing something but paying low paid workers 67% of their wages when the govt. has closed your workplace is unacceptable.

Yes rates are high in GM, but they are falling
Only in a couple of boroughs, rising everywhere else. I imagine we'll be in tier 3 by lunchtime.

Pippa Crerar of the Mirror reporting the following about central govt support for businesses for area in tier 3 lockdown:

• Lancashire got £42m for 1.5m people
• Merseyside got £42m for 1.5m people
• GM being offered £22.8m for 2.8m people.

Can anyone explain why GM should expect less money for being in the same tier??

@Ohthatsgreat

Jen Williams from the MEN has done a great piece on how impossible it is to find statistics on ICU capacity. If it genuinely is approaching capacity then why is that the case? Also the the government has wheeled another ‘prediction’ about cases doubling and ICU being full in early November. But what’s the source of that? And the assumptions? And does it stand scrutiny based on infection rates starting to fall.

The government look like bullies who are trying to spin their way to making GM leaders accept a lockdown on the cheap. People are seeing the through the lies. The government are just bloody minded to force more restrictions so they can look like they are doing something but paying low paid workers 67% of their wages when the govt. has closed your workplace is unacceptable.

Exactly. And bearing in mind that the government can impose Tier 3 with or without the consent of the political representatives of GM if they want to, the obvious conclusion to draw is that they don't want to have to show their workings out if anyone judicially reviews the decision. Because why not just do it otherwise?

Hi @ZenNudist I think we've talked before!

Aside from the pubs/bars, it's going to affect businesses linked to supplying that industry. I also worry about what may happen about leisure centres and gyms, I desperately hope they stay open so children can continue to learn life saving swimming skills. My DS has already gone really backward in his swimming with 6 months off.

Yes, you're right, travel is a 'should not' rather than legal. I'm half in the mind for travelling but I don't think DH is. I'm hoping we'll know either way today or tomorrow and can make a decision from there!

Deadline of high noon has passed. Nothing on the news yet...

Press conference at 5pm

No news yet, keep checking...

Press conference at 5 to inform us formally that we’re having lockdown imposed on us, as has already been leaked to the press . This is a shambles.

It is a shambles isn't it? I Feel for the people of Manchester !