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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson sets out three-tier system for England, with Liverpool region under strictest tier 3 UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson sets out three-tier system for England, with Liverpool region under strictest tier 3
(32 minutes later)
North-east England, south Yorkshire and Greater Manchester to be in tier 2, local leaders reveal ahead of Commons announcementNorth-east England, south Yorkshire and Greater Manchester to be in tier 2, local leaders reveal ahead of Commons announcement
The UK government has updated its coronavirus dashboard. Here are the key headline figures.
The UK has recorded 13,972 new cases. That is higher than yesterday (12,872) and higher than the figure for this time last week (12,594), but lower than some days last week.
The UK has recorded 50 further deaths. That is 15 fewer than yesterday.
The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Paul Cherpeau, said businesses across the city were “bewildered, frustrated and angry” by the new restrictions. He said:
In response to a question from the Tory MP Steve Baker, Johnson said that the development of a vaccine “cannot be taken for granted”. He says after 20 years there is still no vaccine for Sars.
Here is the extract from Boris Johnson’s opening statement where he set out the new system.
On the new three-tier system
On financial support for local authorities
On the tier 3 plans for Merseyside
On how other areas might enter tier 3
On when the rules take effect
Philip Davies, a Conservative, says Johnson has been popular because of his faith in the common sense of the British people. He should give people health advice and do the same again, he says. He says that is what being a Conservative is all about.
Johnson agrees. He says people should follow the health advice.
(He is - wilfully, it seems - ignoring the point of Davies’s question. Davies was arguing against local lockdowns.)
Jeremy Hunt, the chair of the Commons health committee, says the evidence from China suggests early, localised interventions work best.Jeremy Hunt, the chair of the Commons health committee, says the evidence from China suggests early, localised interventions work best.
Johnson welcomes the comment. He says he hopes local authorities will agree to go into tier 3 when necessary.Johnson welcomes the comment. He says he hopes local authorities will agree to go into tier 3 when necessary.
In his statement Boris Johnson said “new financial support” worth around £1bn would be made available to local authorities in England. He said:In his statement Boris Johnson said “new financial support” worth around £1bn would be made available to local authorities in England. He said:
Johnson is responding to Starmer.Johnson is responding to Starmer.
He says Labour used to support the government. Now Starmer has changed tack. But Starmer won’t say what he would do, Johnson says. And he says Starmer is not supporting the local leaders who support these measures.He says Labour used to support the government. Now Starmer has changed tack. But Starmer won’t say what he would do, Johnson says. And he says Starmer is not supporting the local leaders who support these measures.
Sir Keir Starmer is responding for Labour.Sir Keir Starmer is responding for Labour.
He says he is not convinced that the PM has a strategy to deal with the disease.He says he is not convinced that the PM has a strategy to deal with the disease.
Public confidence has been eroded, he says.Public confidence has been eroded, he says.
Why does he think these measures will get the virus under control?Why does he think these measures will get the virus under control?
Will local leaders get control of test and trace?Will local leaders get control of test and trace?
And does he accept local businesses need more support?And does he accept local businesses need more support?
He says he hopes the measures will work. But MPs will be “deeply sceptical” whether they can.He says he hopes the measures will work. But MPs will be “deeply sceptical” whether they can.
Johnson says R is between 1.2 and 1.5. But its natural level is between 2.7 and 3. So it is already being suppressed.Johnson says R is between 1.2 and 1.5. But its natural level is between 2.7 and 3. So it is already being suppressed.
But we need to go further, he says.But we need to go further, he says.
He says local rules are now hard to follow, and hard to enforce.He says local rules are now hard to follow, and hard to enforce.
So they will be simplified, he says.So they will be simplified, he says.
There will be three levels.There will be three levels.
The medium level [tier 1] will cover most of England. It will feature the current rules - the rule of six and 10pm closing for pubs.The medium level [tier 1] will cover most of England. It will feature the current rules - the rule of six and 10pm closing for pubs.
The high alert level [tier 2] will cover most areas under current restrictions. He says people here will not be able to mix with other households indoors. Nottinghamshire, east and west Cheshire and a small area of High Peak will be included.The high alert level [tier 2] will cover most areas under current restrictions. He says people here will not be able to mix with other households indoors. Nottinghamshire, east and west Cheshire and a small area of High Peak will be included.
The very high alert level [tier 3] will have a baseline of measures. In these places household mixing will be banned, and all pubs and bars will be closed.The very high alert level [tier 3] will have a baseline of measures. In these places household mixing will be banned, and all pubs and bars will be closed.
Johnson says the government has agreed with the Liverpool city region that it will go into tier 3. As well as the baseline, gyms, leisure centres, betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos will be closed.Johnson says the government has agreed with the Liverpool city region that it will go into tier 3. As well as the baseline, gyms, leisure centres, betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos will be closed.
Johnson says just letting the virus spread amongst the young is not an option either.Johnson says just letting the virus spread amongst the young is not an option either.
It would spread with such velocity it would affect older people.It would spread with such velocity it would affect older people.
And some young people would be badly affected, he says.And some young people would be badly affected, he says.
Boris Johnson is speaking now.Boris Johnson is speaking now.
There are more people in hospital than when we went into lockdown on 23 March, and deaths are rising, he says.There are more people in hospital than when we went into lockdown on 23 March, and deaths are rising, he says.
But he says he does not accept that we should have another full lockdown.But he says he does not accept that we should have another full lockdown.
On the other hand, some argue that the patience of the public is exhausted, and that we should abandon restrictions and let the disease take its course.On the other hand, some argue that the patience of the public is exhausted, and that we should abandon restrictions and let the disease take its course.
But, he says, the “bleak mathematics” of that would lead to many deaths, and the NHS being overwhelmed.But, he says, the “bleak mathematics” of that would lead to many deaths, and the NHS being overwhelmed.
And Birmingham will be in tier 2 too, says the Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Kaur Gill.And Birmingham will be in tier 2 too, says the Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Kaur Gill.
From Sky’s Aubrey Allegretti
Boris Johnson will be making his Commons statement about the new three-tier local lockdown regime for England shortly.
In Northern Ireland 877 more coronavirus cases have been recorded, and three further deaths. The details are here.
A week ago today the Department of Health in Northern Ireland recorded just 616 new cases, and no deaths.
Here is another MP complaining about the government briefing operations about the new local lockdown rules. Kate Osborne is the Labour MP for Jarrow.
Public Health Wales has recorded 487 new coronavirus cases and four further deaths. The details are here.
The number of cases is marginally up on yesterday (467) but well down on the total for last Monday (596).
And the number of deaths is two more than yesterday, and four more than a week ago today (when none were recorded.)
London is likely to be placed at the lowest of the government’s new three-tier coronavirus alert level, it is understood, but with the expectations it could be moved to the middle tier very soon.
The news about which areas will be in which tier should follow soon after Boris Johnson formally announces the much-briefed new system to the Commons this afternoon, with some local authority leaders already told.
It is understood that officials in London anticipate being put on the lowest level, known as medium, at first, but that it could be moved to the next level, high, potentially within days.
The rules on what activities will or will not be allowed under each tier will also be announced by Johnson.
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, warned last week that rising infection rates meant it was “inevitable” that the capital would soon see tougher restrictions.
South Yorkshire will be in tier 2, according to Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP and mayor of Sheffield city region.
NHS England has recorded 36 further coronavirus hospital deaths. There were 14 deaths in the north-west, 14 in the north-east and Yorkshire, three in London, two in the Midlands, two in the east of England, one in the south-east and none in the south-west. The details are here.
Last Monday 10 deaths were recorded.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has welcomed the news that Greater Manchester will be placed in tier 2.
Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, has described as “crass” an advert for a government reskilling campaign suggesting ballet dancers should retrain as IT experts.
Here is one of the many people in the arts world who has been angrily tweeting about it.