'The North is worth it' - Sunderland council leader backs Andy Burnham in tier 3 funding row

The Labour Mayor Mr Burnham and other representatives had been pushing the Government for a £90 million deal – reduced to £65 million – to support businesses if Greater Manchester was moved from tier 2 to tier 3.

After negotiations broke down, the Conservative-led Government said just £22 million would be pledged when the area goes into tire 3 restrictions this week.

Following an uproar, the government has now confirmed £60 million will be distributed across the region – which is the first to be pushed up a tier against the wishes of its leaders.

Now a Local Government Labour Group (LGA) letter backing Mr Burnham has been signed by more than 40 leaders, with Sunderland City Council leader Councillor Graeme Miller among them.

Other North East names included Newcastle City Council leader Councillor Nick Forbes, who leads the LGA, Gateshead’s leader Councillor Martin Gannon, Durham County Council leader Councillor Simon Henig and Stockton-on-Tees Council leader Councillor Bob Cook.

The letter, shared hours before the decision to increase the package from £22m to £60m, called on the Government to support 80% of people’s wages if the business they work for is closed down under the rules.

Signatories said they stood alongside the Greater Manchester leaders in asking for £90million, or £32 per head in the area’s 1.5 million population.

The letter said: “We are shocked the Government thought this was too much money. The North is worth it.

"We’re standing with our communities in the North and will do whatever it takes in this battle of our lives with coronavirus.

"We ask the Government to stand with us, rather than seeking to divide us, and provide the proper support we need to win this fight.”

It also made a list of recommendations to bring the virus under control while supporting the economy as they pledge support for the test, trace and isolate strategy.

Meanwhile, here in the North East, leaders have been working to persuade ministers to allow the area to remain in tier 3, calling on ministers to consider the drop in infection rate for coronavirus.

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