The government could reach an imminent deal with Greater Manchester over putting the region into the top level of coronavirus restrictions, the UK communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, has said, saying the “contours of an agreement” are in place.
Striking a more consensual tone after Michael Gove accused the Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, of risking lives with “posturing”, Jenrick said he would be having talks with local council leaders on Monday.
The Treasury is offering Greater Manchester a financial package worth tens of millions of pounds, in line with those agreed by leaders in Lancashire and Merseyside where bars, pubs and other venues have closed under tier 3 restrictions.
Treasury sources have played down reports that a deal with Burnham could be sealed by offering Greater Manchester a better package than given to other tier 3 areas.
“I am hopeful that we can reach an agreement, but I think we do need to conclude this now,” Jenrick told Sky News. “There has been a sense of uncertainty, which isn’t helpful to people living in Greater Manchester.”
He added: “We are going to be having further discussions today with the council leaders from across Greater Manchester and I am hopeful that we can reach an agreement. The contours of an agreement are there.
“But, as I say, every side needs to now come together and reach an amicable conclusion for the sake of people in Greater Manchester.”
Jenrick said he had offered “a range of different things that local leaders would like, whether that’s greater control over local tracing, whether it is use of the armed forces, whether it is more resources for local councils”.
But he also indicated that the additional money would not be a better deal than given to other places: “We’ve offered further resources, and you can see very clearly from the resources given to Merseyside and to Lancashire, with whom we’ve worked well in recent weeks, the sort of package that we’re willing to offer to Greater Manchester.”
Jenrick said he would prefer a deal with leaders in Greater Manchester but warned unilateral action would be taken if needed: “You can’t just sit aside and allow the number of cases to continue to rise, and hospitals to reach their capacity. So if we’re not able to reach that agreement we will consider all the options available,” He said.
On Sunday, Burnham wrote to Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and other Westminster leaders urging them to hold a parliamentary vote to decide a national level of financial aid for all areas under tier 3 restrictions.
Burnham held a one-to-one call with Sir Ed Lister, the prime minister’s chief strategic adviser, on Sunday afternoon. The meeting was described as “constructive”, though it is understood there were no significant concessions from the government.
The region’s MPs and council leaders – including 10 Conservatives – have expressed serious concerns about the financial support on offer, with local officials calculating a £62m gap between the government proposal and the required level of support for businesses and residents.
More significant is the refusal by ministers to increase the furlough scheme to pay 80% of workers’ wages, as it did in the spring, extend help to self-employed workers and introduce an improved business compensation package.