By Sammie Jones-
Local leaders are pushing for a £50m increase from the British government, pushing their financial support from £22 million to £75 million to help struggling workers and firms who would be hit by stricter measures.
The request comes after thousands of residents in Hatton have signed a petition to be excluded from being categorised as part of Liverpool.
The petition comes as the government plans to impose tier 3 restrictions on the region considered to be in a serious state of covid-19 infections and hospitalisations. The deadline of 12pm on Tuesday – the deadline of 12pm set last night by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick passed without any deal or compromise between the two sides.
Pubs, bars, gyms, betting shops and casinos are now closed across Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Halton for the foreseeable future and mixing indoors with other households now illegal.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick warned Greater Manchester civic chiefs on Monday night that they have until midday on Tuesday to reach a deal or face unilateral Government action.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said it was “provocative” of the Government to tell local leaders they have until midday on Tuesday to agree to Tier 3 restrictions or face unilateral Government action.
But he said he would not “break the law” if the Government put the region into Tier 3 coronavirus measures.
After 10 days of failed negotiations to reach an agreement, government ministers say the deteriorating situation in the region meant the Government had no choice but to act.