Coronavirus: 'We have the power to proceed' with Manchester Tier 3 lockdown if talks fail, Raab says - Sky News

Manchester could have a Tier 3 coronavirus lockdown imposed on it if negotiations fail, Dominic Raab has told Sky News.

The foreign secretary said ministers have "the power to proceed" with putting the city into England's highest band of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19.

After a furious row blew up with Manchester politicians and Westminster following talks yesterday, Mr Raab said a deal "ought to be possible".

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Image: Residents are waiting to hear if they will face more restrictions

"We'd much rather work with the local leaders if possible," he told Kay Burley.

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But the leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese said there were no more discussions scheduled with the government today.

As breakthrough seems imminent with Lancashire leaders about the county moving into Tier 2, Mr Raab sought to pile the pressure on Manchester politicians to also accept new restrictions.

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"We will keep talking and we'll keep working," he said.

"Obviously in the last resort the government has the powers to proceed in any event."

Image: Restrictions imposed under Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of England's lockdown system

Mr Raab added the "right thing" for the country was to "avoid a second national lockdown" in the face of coronavirus cases rising a further 18,980 and deaths by 138 on Thursday.

"The way to do it is with a tiered approach that we've advocated," he said.

"That will only work, the scientists tell us, if everyone really leans in and implements it to the maximum."

But at least one politician was unimpressed with Mr Raab's message on Friday.

Labour's Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham, tweeted that "less posturing and more practical solutions to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent economic harm... might just work".

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Burnham: 'We're being set up like canaries in a coal mine'

And John Edmunds, a scientist who sits on the government's science advisory group known as SAGE, has called for ministers in England to follow the lead of Northern Ireland and impose a "circuit breaker".

Mr Johnson laid out his plans for a three-tier system to suppress a coronavirus second spike on Monday.

Image: Lancashire looks set to move into Tier 3, following the Liverpool City Region

In Tier 1, known as Medium, areas must follow the national restrictions - meaning people are only allowed social gatherings of up to six people inside or out, with a 10pm curfew for pubs bars and restaurants.

In Tier 2, people are banned from mixing with others they don't live with inside, but the Rule of Six still applies outside. Pubs and restaurants can remain open.

And in Tier 3, you cannot meet anyone you don't live with inside or out, pubs and bars must close unless they can operate as restaurants and no wedding receptions are allowed. People should avoid non-essential travel and staying overnight in another part of the UK, and local politicians will decide if gyms, betting shops, casinos, hairdressers and beauty salons should close.

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2020-10-16 07:26:08Z
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EU CAVES: Merkel admits 'some movement' on Brexit as Brussels desperately pushes for deal - Daily Express

"In some places there was movement, in other places there is still a lot of work to do," she told reporters. "For us, it is important that Ireland can continue to live in peace, that we secure the single market, but we know that Great Britain aims for a certain measure of independence, that it is no longer member of the European Union. In this spirit we have asked Michel Barnier to continue the negotiations," she added, with reference to the bloc's chief negotiator."

 

"We have asked Great Britain to remain ready for compromise on an agreement," Merkel added.

The German Chancellor said that if necessary the EU will “live without” an agreement.

But she added: “I believe it would be better to have such an agreement."

It comes after EU leaders called for post-Brexit trade talks to continue beyond the end of the week, a deadline suggested by Boris Johnson.

 

The two-day summit began on Thursday in Brussels.

The EU leaders demanded that the UK “make necessary moves” towards a deal.

Michel Barnier, EU chief negotiator, said intensive talks should aim to reach a deal around the end of October.

However, his UK counterpart Lord David Frost said he was “disappointed” by the EU’s approach.

READ MORE: Brexiteer pinpoints why Boris was NEVER serious about no deal threat

The leaders agreed that the 27 member states and EU institutions would "step up their work on preparedness and readiness at all levels and for all outcomes" before the end of the transition period.

At a news conference, Mr Barnier said the EU wa ready to continue negotiations “until the last possible day”. 

He added: "We want to give these discussions every chance of being successful so that we secure an agreement.”

The EU chief negotiator also proposed a two-week extension to Mr Johnson’s 15 October deadline.

Mr Barnier said his team would travel to London for talks next week and host negotiations in Brussels the week after.

 

Both the UK and EU are calling on each other to compromise on key issues including fishing and limits to government subsidies to businesses.

The two sides are seeking an agreement to govern their trading relationship for after the Brexit transition period ends in December.

The European Council President, Charles Michel, said the bloc was “100% united”.

Speaking at a news conference, he added: “We are united and determined to reach an agreement but not at any cost.”

Mr Barnier also reiterated the stance and added that differences still remained between the two sides.

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2020-10-16 00:02:00Z
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Covid: Wales ban on people visiting from UK hotspots begins - BBC News

The ban will cover all of Northern Ireland, England's tier two and three areas and the Scottish central belt.

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2020-10-15 23:55:00Z
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EU CAVES: Merkel admits 'some movement' on Brexit as Brussels desperately pushes for deal - Daily Express

"In some places there was movement, in other places there is still a lot of work to do," she told reporters. "For us, it is important that Ireland can continue to live in peace, that we secure the single market, but we know that Great Britain aims for a certain measure of independence, that it is no longer member of the European Union. In this spirit we have asked Michel Barnier to continue the negotiations," she added, with reference to the bloc's chief negotiator."

 

"We have asked Great Britain to remain ready for compromise on an agreement," Merkel added.

The German Chancellor said that if necessary the EU will “live without” an agreement.

But she added: “I believe it would be better to have such an agreement."

It comes after EU leaders called for post-Brexit trade talks to continue beyond the end of the week, a deadline suggested by Boris Johnson.

 

The two-day summit began on Thursday in Brussels.

The EU leaders demanded that the UK “make necessary moves” towards a deal.

Michel Barnier, EU chief negotiator, said intensive talks should aim to reach a deal around the end of October.

However, his UK counterpart Lord David Frost said he was “disappointed” by the EU’s approach.

READ MORE: Brexiteer pinpoints why Boris was NEVER serious about no deal threat

The leaders agreed that the 27 member states and EU institutions would "step up their work on preparedness and readiness at all levels and for all outcomes" before the end of the transition period.

At a news conference, Mr Barnier said the EU wa ready to continue negotiations “until the last possible day”. 

He added: "We want to give these discussions every chance of being successful so that we secure an agreement.”

The EU chief negotiator also proposed a two-week extension to Mr Johnson’s 15 October deadline.

Mr Barnier said his team would travel to London for talks next week and host negotiations in Brussels the week after.

 

Both the UK and EU are calling on each other to compromise on key issues including fishing and limits to government subsidies to businesses.

The two sides are seeking an agreement to govern their trading relationship for after the Brexit transition period ends in December.

The European Council President, Charles Michel, said the bloc was “100% united”.

Speaking at a news conference, he added: “We are united and determined to reach an agreement but not at any cost.”

Mr Barnier also reiterated the stance and added that differences still remained between the two sides.

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2020-10-15 23:46:25Z
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EU CAVES: Merkel admits 'some movement' on Brexit as Brussels desperately pushes for deal - Daily Express

"In some places there was movement, in other places there is still a lot of work to do," she told reporters. "For us, it is important that Ireland can continue to live in peace, that we secure the single market, but we know that Great Britain aims for a certain measure of independence, that it is no longer member of the European Union. In this spirit we have asked Michel Barnier to continue the negotiations," she added, with reference to the bloc's chief negotiator."

 

"We have asked Great Britain to remain ready for compromise on an agreement," Merkel added.

The German Chancellor said that if necessary the EU will “live without” an agreement.

But she added: “I believe it would be better to have such an agreement."

It comes after EU leaders called for post-Brexit trade talks to continue beyond the end of the week, a deadline suggested by Boris Johnson.

 

The two-day summit began on Thursday in Brussels.

The EU leaders demanded that the UK “make necessary moves” towards a deal.

Michel Barnier, EU chief negotiator, said intensive talks should aim to reach a deal around the end of October.

However, his UK counterpart Lord David Frost said he was “disappointed” by the EU’s approach.

READ MORE: Brexiteer pinpoints why Boris was NEVER serious about no deal threat

The leaders agreed that the 27 member states and EU institutions would "step up their work on preparedness and readiness at all levels and for all outcomes" before the end of the transition period.

At a news conference, Mr Barnier said the EU wa ready to continue negotiations “until the last possible day”. 

He added: "We want to give these discussions every chance of being successful so that we secure an agreement.”

The EU chief negotiator also proposed a two-week extension to Mr Johnson’s 15 October deadline.

Mr Barnier said his team would travel to London for talks next week and host negotiations in Brussels the week after.

 

Both the UK and EU are calling on each other to compromise on key issues including fishing and limits to government subsidies to businesses.

The two sides are seeking an agreement to govern their trading relationship for after the Brexit transition period ends in December.

The European Council President, Charles Michel, said the bloc was “100% united”.

Speaking at a news conference, he added: “We are united and determined to reach an agreement but not at any cost.”

Mr Barnier also reiterated the stance and added that differences still remained between the two sides.

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2020-10-15 23:16:43Z
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Boris urged NOT to extend the Brexit deadline as PM hands EU an extra 24 hours - Daily Express

Last month, the Prime Minister gave the EU up until today to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK in order to allow plenty of time for an agreement to be ratified by the end of the transition period in December.

As neither side has been able to come an agreement, with issues on fishing rights remaining a top priority, Mr Johnson has allowed an extra 24 hours for the crucial Brexit talks.

But an Express.co.uk poll - which ran from 2pm to 10pm today - asked whether the Prime Minister should extend the deadline again.

The poll received a staggering 10,458 votes with 97 percent (10,096) warning the Prime Minister not to extend the deadlines any further.

Just three percent (327) said he should, while 35 people said they didn’t know.

One person said: “This wavering by our government isn't doing UK industries and businesses any good at all.

“They need to know where they stand now. Not tomorrow.

“Put your big boys trousers on Boris, and tell them it's definitely NO DEAL.”

A second person added: “Hell No!!! He should never have given them an extra 24 hours.

READ MORE: The five issues UK and EU officials remain far apart on

A fourth person said if Mr Johnson backs down again he should resign.

They said: ”If Boris backs down tomorrow then he should resign. Simple.

“If he is not up to the job then stand aside and let someone with balls take over.”

Another reader said: “Surely he can't be that stupid.

“He'd be handing the advantage to the EU on a plate.

“They will see him as weak as [Theresa] May and double down on their demands.”

While a fifth reader wrote: “EU has had enough time. If nothing happens by tonight.

“I doubt anything but trying to delay. Just say good bye. No deal.

“If they have any suggestions ask them to get them together and UK can then start talking with EU January 2021 from outside the EU.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the UK looks forward to hearing the outcome of the EU Council summit and Mr Johnson will reflect on that before setting out Britain’s next steps.

He added the UK still wants to reach a trade deal with the EU, and that is the country’s aim.

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2020-10-15 21:36:00Z
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Boris Johnson's Covid strategy in turmoil as Manchester refuses toughest restrictions - BBC News - BBC News

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1. Boris Johnson's Covid strategy in turmoil as Manchester refuses toughest restrictions - BBC News  BBC News
2. Covid alert level: Greater Manchester 'fighting back' against Tier 3  BBC News
3. Manchester leaders 'unanimously reject' Tier 3 of England's coronavirus levels  Sky News
4. This pandemic has been the making of England's elected mayors  The Guardian
5. The North-South divide is only being strengthened by lockdown tiers  Metro.co.uk
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-10-15 21:36:03Z
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