Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, has issued the statement below on behalf of Cllr Rob Polhill (Halton) – Cllr Graham Morgan (Knowsley) – Mayor Joe Anderson (Liverpool) – Cllr Ian Maher (Sefton) – Cllr David Baines (St Helens) and Cllr Janette Williamson (Wirral).



“On behalf of the Leaders and MPs across our City Region, I entered into further talks with 10 Downing Street last night to highlight the inconsistencies of the measures that we had been placed under – following the Government’s decision to impose Tier 3 restrictions in our area.

“Collectively we have consistently requested the scientific evidence that supported the imposition of the suite of measures under tier 3 – and we have pointed out the inconsistencies of approach following the announcement that Lancashire would not have exactly the same package of restrictions as our City Region.

“Talks continued till late last night – and the Government have agreed with the case that I put forward – that they would now bring us in line with other Tier 3 area – so that (like Lancashire and Greater Manchester) – soft play areas would be closed – but that gyms could reopen.

“I argued that gyms in the Liverpool City Region were no less safe than those in Lancashire – that had been allowed to remain open.

“I also convinced them that – as we now had local Test and Tracing (and had been chosen as a pilot area to trial new Test Technologies) – we could manage the safety of gym users as well as anywhere in the country.

“The Government will now include the provision to rescind their original decision – when they lay the legislation before Parliament tomorrow – on the orders for Greater Manchester.”

Originally Posted by roving-eye

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, has issued the statement below on behalf of Cllr Rob Polhill (Halton) – Cllr Graham Morgan (Knowsley) – Mayor Joe Anderson (Liverpool) – Cllr Ian Maher (Sefton) – Cllr David Baines (St Helens) and Cllr Janette Williamson (Wirral).



“On behalf of the Leaders and MPs across our City Region, I entered into further talks with 10 Downing Street last night to highlight the inconsistencies of the measures that we had been placed under – following the Government’s decision to impose Tier 3 restrictions in our area.

“Collectively we have consistently requested the scientific evidence that supported the imposition of the suite of measures under tier 3 – and we have pointed out the inconsistencies of approach following the announcement that Lancashire would not have exactly the same package of restrictions as our City Region.

“Talks continued till late last night – and the Government have agreed with the case that I put forward – that they would now bring us in line with other Tier 3 area – so that (like Lancashire and Greater Manchester) – soft play areas would be closed – but that gyms could reopen.

“I argued that gyms in the Liverpool City Region were no less safe than those in Lancashire – that had been allowed to remain open.

“I also convinced them that – as we now had local Test and Tracing (and had been chosen as a pilot area to trial new Test Technologies) – we could manage the safety of gym users as well as anywhere in the country.

“The Government will now include the provision to rescind their original decision – when they lay the legislation before Parliament tomorrow – on the orders for Greater Manchester.”

SIX DAYS AGO:

Damien commented:

“Gyms in Southport and the wider-Merseyside region must be allowed to reopen immediately. People living here should be no worse off than those living in Lancashire. We need fairness and parity in these restrictions – not a tier system within a tier system.

“Today’s announcement shows that the decision on gyms was down to local leaders - it was not a red line set by the government.

“The Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has failed to represent people living on Merseyside. He didn’t fight hard enough for a better deal from the government and he failed to keep gyms open when leaders in Lancashire did. He could have kept gyms open when we went into Tier 3 status.

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Health this morning calling for the immediate reopening of gyms across our region as an integral part of improving people's physical and mental health.”

Originally Posted by said

SIX DAYS AGO:

Damien commented:

“Gyms in Southport and the wider-Merseyside region must be allowed to reopen immediately. People living here should be no worse off than those living in Lancashire. We need fairness and parity in these restrictions – not a tier system within a tier system.

“Today’s announcement shows that the decision on gyms was down to local leaders - it was not a red line set by the government.

“The Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has failed to represent people living on Merseyside. He didn’t fight hard enough for a better deal from the government and he failed to keep gyms open when leaders in Lancashire did. He could have kept gyms open when we went into Tier 3 status.

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Health this morning calling for the immediate reopening of gyms across our region as an integral part of improving people's physical and mental health.”

And your point is?

If Damien Moore is so concerned about the health and well-being of his constituents, why did he vote against the 80% furlough scheme? I'm sure that constituents placed on furlough are more concerned about this than gyms remaining open. Priorities Damien, priorities.