,
Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding in the House of
Commons to the South Yorkshire coronavirus restrictions, said:
“So another great swathe of the North is put into lockdown.
“Sheffield went into Tier 2 last Wednesday so did ministers make
the wrong judgement a week ago, or has new evidence come to light
that was not apparent last Wednesday?
“How many other areas in Tier 2 today are facing the same fate as
Sheffield? Nottinghamshire? North East Derbyshire?
“The Secretary of State couldn’t answer yesterday how long
Greater Manchester will be in lockdown for, or what the criteria
would be for leaving lockdown.
“So he can tell us how long will South Yorkshire be in lockdown?
“Does the nationwide R need to fall below 1, as the Prime
Minister suggested, or just the regional R?
“If an area like Doncaster gets it R number down below 1, will
they be able to leave lockdown?
“What level do hospital admissions have to come down to for an
area to exit lockdown?
“As I said yesterday, my dad worked in casinos, my mum worked in
bars.
“I know people want to do the right thing and will understand
that further measures are needed to contain the spread of the
virus.
“But families shouldn’t face financial ruin. He wants
congratulations for the package allocated to South Yorkshire.
“But why is contact tracing funding subject to these negotiations
and deals?
“The virus is out of control because of the failures of the
national £12 billion Test and Trace scheme.
“If local areas had been given resources months ago to put in
place effective contact tracing, we would not be in this
situation now.
“And that failure on contact tracing impacts directly on people’s
lives.
“This afternoon, families who work in hospitality in South
Yorkshire, across Penistone, Don Valley, Rother Valley, will be
asking why, if 80 per cent of wages was covered in March, why
they should now be expected to get by on just two thirds in the
run up to Christmas.
“And this matters to families everywhere because we know further
restrictions will be needed.
“Indeed according to sources briefing Times Radio, plans are
being developed for a three-week lockdown more widely next month.
“Perhaps he could confirm his officials are working up such
plans?
“Mr Speaker, the Communities Secretary said this morning there
was now a national formula for areas under local lockdown.
“But ministers also say they want a targeted local approach
because circumstances vary. Yet when an area says our
circumstances are different – like Greater Manchester who have
been under restrictions since July, the Prime Minister says
‘tough, hard luck you can’t be treated differently.’
“And vindictively refuses Greater Manchester just £5 million
extra to agree a deal.
“This is playing politics with people jobs, people’s livelihoods.
“We can’t defeat this virus on the cheap. And nor should it be
broken on the backs of the lowest paid.
“Public health restrictions must go hand in hand with economic
support.
“As night follows day, falls in employment levels lead to rises
in chronic illness.
“The Chancellor must pay out, to help out and put in place a fair
deal to support jobs and livelihoods under lockdown."
