Northern England leaders call for more cash to cope with looming lockdowns

Customers in the Tib Street Tavern in Manchester watch as Rishi Sunak announces the Government will pay two thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new restrictions. Picture PA

Leaders across northern England are urging the Government to provide more cash to support areas which face going into further lockdowns or risk “levelling down” the region.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said that accepting Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s financial package would be to “surrender” people to hardship in the run up to Christmas.