Andy Burnham criticises Government for not offering support grants for bars and restaurants in Greater Manchester negotiations

Andy Burnham has criticised the Government for not revealing its new support grants for bars and restaurants in negotiations over tougher coronavirus restrictions for Greater Manchester.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak today unveiled grants of £2,100 available for firms in Tier 2 areas of England, primarily aimed at helping hospitality and leisure venues which have seen takings plummet due to a restrictions on households mixing.

In a move which could be worth more than £1 billion, these grants will also be available retrospectively for areas which have already been subject to restrictions, and come on top of higher levels of additional business support for areas moving into Tier 3.

It means that a retrospective support package is set to be available for affected Greater Manchester businesses that are moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3.

Greater Manchester entering the toughest coronavirus restrictions was delayed by protracted negotiations on a support package for the region.

The delays led to concerns the rate of infection would not be brought down as quickly as possible, and could lead to more hospital admissions and deaths from coronavirus in the region.

Boris Johnson attempted to strong-arm the regions' leaders into accepting tougher Covid restrictions by claiming that every day of delay would mean “more people will die”.

Mr Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote on Twitter today: “Honestly, can barely believe what I’m reading here. Why on earth was this not put on the table on Tuesday to reach an agreement with us?

“I said directly to the PM that a deal was there to be done if it took into account the effects on GM [Greater Manchester] businesses of three months in Tier 2.”

Mr Burnham had asked for a minimum of £65 million in extra support, but the Government would not offer more than £60million.

Boris Johnson imposed the tougher coronavirus restrictions, that the region enters on Friday, on Greater Manchester on Tuesday after talks over a rescue package failed.

Under Tier 3 restrictions households bars which don’t serve meals have to close. Other hospitality businesses such as gyms can also be closed, depending on local agreements.

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