North East council leaders back Labour's plan to get out of tier structure

Labour leaders have written to Boris Johnson with their action plan on how to get Covid-19 infections down and how to leave the tier structure as the North East remains under the tightest rules.
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Party chiefs at national, regional and local levels have penned the letter to Boris Johnson suggesting how to get infections down and raising concern coronavirus is continuing to spread, despite existing rules and the threat of yet tighter measures before Christmas.

It notes the failure of the Test and Trace scheme to locate enough people to get control of the virus, while some are left to chose between self-isolation and “putting food on the table for their families”, as well as a lack of critical planning ahead of Christmas.

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They hope their “roadmap” will drive down cases and release areas from their tier as well as allow businesses to reopen safely.

The North East is in Tier 3 and looks unlikely to be moved down a level when it is reviewed on Wednesday, December 16.

The eight-point plan includes putting local teams in charge of test and trace, greater transparency over the entry and exit of tiers and offering support needed to down a grade.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured during a visit to the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, on Friday, where he pledged to make the decision over the North East's Tier 3 status "fair".Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured during a visit to the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, on Friday, where he pledged to make the decision over the North East's Tier 3 status "fair".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured during a visit to the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, on Friday, where he pledged to make the decision over the North East's Tier 3 status "fair".

They also call for improved backing for businesses and so people can self-isolate.

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The letter, signed first by party leader Sir Keir Starmer, ends: “Without a radical change of approach, people and businesses across the country will face a long winter.”

Among those to add their signature is Councillor Nick Forbes, the leader of Newcastle City Council and leader of the Local Government Association Labour Group, and Councillor Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council and chairman of the Association of Labour Councillors.

They are members of the LA7, which brings their authorities together with Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Council, Northumberland County Council, Gateshead Council and North Tyneside Council.

Coun Forbes tweeted a copy of the letter, shared by Steve Reed MP, Shadow Secretary for Communities and Local Government, along with the message: “I've signed this as Leader of Labour Local Govt - we need a clear action plan to get us out of the tier structures as early as possible in 2021, which means making some important changes to the current national and centralised approach to controlling Covid-19.”

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