Mayor and council demand Government help after Sheffield put in Tier 2 lockdown

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis and Sheffield City Council have joined forces to demand help from the Government after the city was put in Tier 2 lockdown.
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Earlier today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that areas across England would be put into one of three tiers – very high (tier 3), high (tier 2) and medium (tier one) with different levels of restrictions in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Sheffield and South Yorkshire have been placed in Tier 2.

But both Mr Jarvis and Sheffield City Council leader Julie Dore have demanded action from the Government to help with the financial impact on local businesses.

Dan Jarvis and Julie Dore have joined forces with other local councils to demand Government help.Dan Jarvis and Julie Dore have joined forces with other local councils to demand Government help.
Dan Jarvis and Julie Dore have joined forces with other local councils to demand Government help.
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Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement of new local alert levels for coronavirus restrictions, Mr Jarvis said: “We are entering a new phase in our efforts to overcome the coronavirus and we face a difficult winter unless we stop its spread.

"I accept the need for new restrictions, but the Government is failing to grasp the scale of action required. Local leaders face a situation where we are left without the tools and resources to control the virus, until cases spiral to the ‘very high’ alert level. This is not the right approach.

“The new system brings restrictions without additional economic support at the ‘high’ alert level.

"This lands another blow for our high streets and businesses who face takings and trade falling further.

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"We need a local lockdown lifeline so businesses, suppliers and the self-employed are fairly compensated from restrictions which cut their income. I will fight to ensure workers and businesses get the backing they need to survive.

People in South Yorkshire must prepare themselves for a new set of rules, and to limit their contact with other households. If the restrictions are to work, they must be crystal clear to command people’s confidence, and be part of a coherent plan which will get us out local restrictions.

“Otherwise Ministers will further lose the public’s trust and be rewriting the rules again – which may be too late to save lives, jobs and businesses.”

Meanwhile, Sheffield City Council is also calling on the Government for more support for the city

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The council has joined the leaders at Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster Councils, in urging the Government to do more to support the region.

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Whilst we fully understand the need for further restrictions to bring the spread of this virus down, Sheffield also needs more funding and support for businesses, communities and individuals affected to get us through this crisis.

"This city has done everything it can to try and stop the spread of the virus and our residents, communities and businesses have all played their part: but we can’t do it alone. Further restrictions must be backed up with solid support from the Government and we must know this is in place to help us continue to support our most vulnerable, enable our businesses to survive and give us a sound foundation for recovery when the time is right.”

Eugene Walker, SCC Executive Director for Resources, added: “This is an important step, coming together as a city region to urge the Government to provide us with the support we need is crucial if these new restrictions are going to be effective.We have been in discussion with the Government over the weekend and stated our position with a clear five point plan for economic support and clarity on what any new restrictions mean. We want to see a package of support agreed before any further restrictions are placed on the city and the region.”

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The Council joined in with the three other authorities and Sheffield City Region Combined Authority in discussions with Government on Friday and have written a joint letter detailing what is required before restrictions are put in place.

Coun Dore added: “Our city and region, like the rest of the country, have faced tough times and shown resilience throughout. Now the Government must ensure the package of measures detailed are delivered to enable the city to continue to take the steps we need to halt the spread of the virus. Working together, we urge the Government to do the right thing and give us the support we need at this critical time.”