The British government’s negotiations with the Mayor of Greater Manchester on placing the region under tier 3 lockdown have ended without a deal, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Tuesday.
Jenrick, who has been talking on behalf of the government with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham on support packages for workers and businesses affected by the lockdown, said he was disappointed with the outcome.
“I have therefore advised the Prime Minister that these discussions have concluded without an agreement,” he added.
Jenrick has said on Monday that the prime minister would make a decision on the next steps in a no-deal scenario.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to make an announcement at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
The negotiations between the cabinet and Greater Manchester have lasted over a week.
As most places likely “will find themselves in Tier 3 at some point,” the Mayor said, “establishing clear national entitlements of the kind we had during the first lockdown will create a sense of fairness which in turn would help build public support for, and compliance with, any new restrictions.”
Burnham repeatedly said the financial support from the government is not enough to help workers and businesses affected. He made a statement on Thursday declaring local leaders had “unanimously opposed the government’s plans for Tier 3,” which requires closure of pubs and bars unless the government provides “proper compensation.”
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield city region, which is also in talks with the government, said on Monday that the government has to offer the support they need if they are required to lockdown.