Speculation tonight from the Times that it could be as early as Tuesday:
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn
Could another 7 million more people go into the Tier 3 Very High alert level this week? That is what ministers intend to do, with or without deals with local leaders, they now insist. Greater Manchester, South Yorks, West Yorks and Nottingham all about to be moved up from Tier 2.
That said, progress being made with all of them on achieving deals, with hospitals reporting ever higher covid admission rates. Deals in South and West Yorks look closest, with an announcement expected Tuesday.
Unlike in Manchester, local leaders not holding out for 80% of wages.
Instead, they have a proposal to devolve more money down to councils to support businesses and workers. "There are other ways to skin the cat," one northern figure says. Time also now becoming crucial. The figure adds: "Each day of delay has a cost in lives".
Manchester still proving the hardest nut to crack, but progress being made there too, thanks to Treasury millions. Andy Burnham and No10's Eddie Lister talking again in the morning, with silence from both tonight seen as a good sign. More on @TimesRadio tomorrow after 7am.