By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson is set to publish an impact assessment of the latest Covid restrictions in response to pressure from Tory back benchers strongly opposing the introduction of a strengthened tier system.
.The promise of a published analysis comes after several Conservative MPs threatened to rebel over the new tier system in England, which the Government plans to bring into force on Wednesday, once the national lockdown ends.
Angry Mps about the tier system have not at this stage considered the potentially higher restrictions on its way in the new year in the likely event the Office Of National Statistics(ONS) announces a higher rate of infection or an increased number of deaths.
The prime minister is expected to share analysis of the health, economic and social impact of the measures taken to suppress the virus ahead of a crucial Commons vote on Tuesday. That analysis is expected to to give an idea of the effect another lockdown in January could have on the economy.
There have been indications that the relaxation of rules during Christmas to allow up to three families to mix could be traded by a month’s long lockdown in January, but the analysis requested by rebel Mps only deals with the impact of the tier system on the economy.
The analysis comes after several Conservative MPs threatened to rebel over the new tier system in England, which the Government wants to bring into force on Wednesday when the national lockdown ends.
Mr Johnson has written a letter to his Conservative colleagues on Saturday evening, confirming the new rules could end in nine weeks’ time. The prime minister has promised to lift the tiers on February 3, with MPs offered a vote to extend them.
However, with suggestions that the relaxation of rules over the festive period could lead to a further lockdown in January, the published analysis will put things into reasonable perspective. A further lockdown in January would completely drown the issue of a tier system being contested by rebel Mps.
England’s new system – due to replace the national lockdown when it expires, will see regions placed in one of three tiers: medium, high and very high.
The placement of most of England under the tier system is not expected to have as much an effect on the economy as another potential lockdown in January, requiring all none essential shops to close.