skynewspolitics--2020-11-26--99% of England placed in Tiers 2 and 3 as new system revealed

99 % of the population in England will live under the toughest two tiers of the country 's new lockdown system , it has been revealed .
Around 32 million people - just over 57 % of the population - will be in Tier 2 , while 23.3 million - 41.5 % of the population - will be in Tier 3 Just 1 % of the population , 714,000 people , will be living under Tier 1 restrictions .
Warrington and Liverpool are the only two places in the country which will face eased restrictions from 2 December - both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous lockdown system to Tier 2 .
Hover over your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in ( scroll down for a full list ) The tiered system has been strengthened since the original rules were in place before lockdown , with many more areas in the higher tiers in a bid to keep infection rates down .
In Tier 3 , there should be no mixing of households indoors or in most outdoor places , with hospitality venues closed except for takeaway , drive-through or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK and around world Indoor entertainment venues will also be closed , with people urged to avoid travelling outside the area other than where necessary .
In Tier 2 , there should be no mixing of households indoors apart from support bubbles , with the rule of six applying outdoors .
Pubs and bars must close unless operating as restaurants , while hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals .
In a move aimed at assuaging anger from local leaders and Conservative MPs , Boris Johnson has promised that the tier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But a number of Tories have already said they will vote against the new tiers next week , including 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady , Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood and Poole MP Sir Robert Syms .
And in a bid to soften the blow for Tier 3 areas , ministers are promising them access to rapid-result COVID-19 tests to help bring down infections , as well as cash subsidies .
Extra cash will also be on offer to areas placed into Tier 2 and Tier 3 .
Subscribe to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The health secretary said `` these are not easy decisions , but they have been made according to the best clinical advice '' .
Mr Hancock told MPs : `` Thanks to the shared sacrifice of everyone in recent weeks , in following the national restrictions , we have been able to start to bring the virus back under control and slow its growth , easing some of the pressure on the NHS .
`` We will do this by returning to a regional tiered approach , saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country where prevalence remains too high . ''
Labour 's shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said the nation is `` still in the tunnel '' despite the light offered by vaccines , telling the Commons : `` We have a significant way to go to drive infection rates down and keep our constituents safe .
`` We understand why tough restrictions are still needed , but let 's be clear : today millions of people trying to survive in the second lockdown will soon be forced to endure further local lockdown restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area being placed into Tier 3 will cause `` real hardship '' .
`` The new Tier 3 will hit the hospitality sector extremely hard .
While there are grants for businesses forced to close , there is no extra support for business which supply them like security , catering and cleaning , '' he said .
London mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed news that the capital will be moved back into Tier 2 , having previously been in Tier 3 .
But referring to the curfew for hospitality , he said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sticking with specific measures that seem to cause more harm than good '' .
Joe Anderson , mayor of Liverpool , said it was good news that the area was once again in Tier 2 , but warned : `` We must remain vigilant and ensure this tentative step back to semi-normality is sustained . ''
The areas in Tier 3 are : The areas in Tier 2 are : Just three areas are in Tier 1 :

99% of the population in England will live under the toughest two tiers of the country's new lockdown system, it has been revealed.
Around 32 million people - just over 57% of the population - will be in Tier 2, while 23.3 million - 41.5% of the population - will be in Tier 3.
Search your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in (scroll down for a full list)
Just 1% of the population, 714,000 people, will be living under Tier 1 restrictions.
Warrington and Liverpool are the only two places in the country which will face eased restrictions from 2 December - both are moving from Tier 3 of the previous lockdown system to Tier 2.
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world
The tiered system has been strengthened since the original rules were in place before lockdown, with many more areas in the higher tiers in a bid to keep infection rates down.
Before the second lockdown was introduced, 42% of the population was in Tier 1.
In Tier 3, there should be no mixing of households indoors or in most outdoor places, with hospitality venues closed except for takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
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Indoor entertainment venues will also be closed, with people urged to avoid travelling outside the area other than where necessary.
In Tier 2, there should be no mixing of households indoors apart from support bubbles, with the rule of six applying outdoors.
Pubs and bars must close unless operating as restaurants, while hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.
In Tier 1 the rule of six applies indoors and outdoors, with people urged to work from home if they can and pubs limited to table service.
The announcement of the tiers descended into chaos when an online postcode checker was launched before Health Secretary Matt Hancock formally revealed the details, although it crashed within minutes of coming online.
In a move aimed at assuaging anger from local leaders and Conservative MPs, Boris Johnson has promised that the tier allocations will be reviewed on 16 December.
But a number of Tories have already said they will vote against the new tiers next week, including 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood and Poole MP Sir Robert Syms.
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the COVID Recovery Group which has been critical of lockdown restrictions, said the "authoritarianism at work today is truly appalling".
"The government must publish its analysis of the impact interventions are likely to have on controlling COVID, as well as the non-Covid health impact and the impact on society, people's livelihoods and businesses," he said.
Sir Roger Gale, MP for the Kent constituency of North Thanet, criticised the decision to place all of the county in Tier 3, telling Sky News he fears people will "skip over the boundary" to go to a nearby pub in Tier 2.
Image: Rules in place in England before and after the national lockdown
In a bid to soften the blow for Tier 3 areas, ministers are promising them access to rapid-result COVID-19 tests to help bring down infections, as well as cash subsidies.
Extra cash will also be on offer to areas placed into Tier 2 and Tier 3.
The health secretary said "these are not easy decisions, but they have been made according to the best clinical advice".
Matt Hancock told MPs: "Thanks to the shared sacrifice of everyone in recent weeks, in following the national restrictions, we have been able to start to bring the virus back under control and slow its growth, easing some of the pressure on the NHS.
"We will do this by returning to a regional tiered approach, saving the toughest measures for the parts of the country where prevalence remains too high."
Downing Street has denied that economic factors played a part in the decision-making process, with the prime minister's spokesman saying: "We have based tiers on the criteria that we have set out.
"We have been clear on the criteria that we have based the tiering system on and you have got the WMS [written ministerial statement] that explains the rationale for each area."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 'Heartbroken' hotel owner on Tier 3
Mr Johnson's spokesman added that the government expects the public to continue to follow the rules, saying: "I think what you've seen throughout the pandemic is the public's will to abide by the restrictions and play their role in driving down the virus.
"We saw that both in the first lockdown, throughout the first set of tiers, throughout the second lockdown, and we believe that will continue to be the case."
Labour's shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said the nation is "still in the tunnel" despite the light offered by vaccines, telling the Commons: "We have a significant way to go to drive infection rates down and keep our constituents safe.
"We understand why tough restrictions are still needed, but let's be clear: today millions of people trying to survive in the second lockdown will soon be forced to endure further local lockdown restrictions."
The Confederation of British Industry said some businesses would be left "hanging by a thread" under the new rules.
"For many businesses in England, going into toughened tiers while waiting for a vaccine will feel like suspended animation," UK policy director Matthew Fell said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Burnham's fears for business support
Greater Manchester Andy Burnham told Sky News that he "can see why" the area has been placed into Tier 3, but that the restrictions hit hospitality "far too hard".
"This is some of the poorest parts of the country that we are talking about. Cities, particularly outside of London and many in the North, will be very, very hard hit indeed by hospitality being closed in December.
"Many of the businesses will not make it through to the new year."
London mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed news that the capital will be moved back into Tier 2, having previously been in Tier 3, telling Sky News it was the "right decision".
But he added there was "no room for complacency" among Londoners.
Joe Anderson, mayor of Liverpool, said it was good news that the area was once again in Tier 2, but warned: "We must remain vigilant and ensure this tentative step back to semi-normality is sustained."
The areas in Tier 3 are:
• Greater Manchester
• Birmingham and Black Country
• Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
• Leeds
• Hull
• City of Wolverhampton
• Kent and Medway
• South Yorkshire
• Hartlepool
• Middlesbrough
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Redcar and Cleveland
• Darlington
• Sunderland
• South Tyneside
• Gateshead
• North Tyneside
• County Durham
• Northumberland
• Lancashire
• Blackpool
• Blackburn with Darwen
• The Humber
• West Yorkshire
• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
• Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull
• Derby and Derbyshire
• Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
• Leicester and Leicestershire
• Lincolnshire
• Slough
• Bristol
• South Gloucestershire
• North Somerset
The areas in Tier 2 are:
• Liverpool City Region
• London
• Warrington and Cheshire
• Cumbria
• York
• North Yorkshire
• Northamptonshire
• Rutland
• Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes
• Herefordshire
• Worcestershire
• Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin
• Essex, Thurrock and Southend on Sea
• Norfolk
• Suffolk
• Hertfordshire
• Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
• Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton
• Surrey
• Buckinghamshire
• Oxfordshire
• Reading
• Wokingham
• Bracknell Forest
• Windsor and Maidenhead
• West Berkshire
• Dorset
• Bournemouth
• Christchurch
• Poole
• South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
• Bath and North East Somerset
• Gloucestershire
• Wiltshire and Swindon
• Devon
• East Sussex
• West Sussex
• Brighton and Hove
Just three areas are in Tier 1:
• Isle of Wight
• Cornwall
• Isles of Scilly


skynewspolitics--2020-11-26--Sunak says govt is 'focusing on the priorities' as he defends cutting foreign aid

The chancellor has defended cutting the foreign aid budget , telling Sky News : `` This is about trying to focus on the priorities that the British people have at a time of enormous difficulty . ''
Speaking to Kay Burley , Rishi Sunak said the COVID-19 pandemic means he has had to make `` difficult choices , of which aid was one of them '' .
In his spending review , the chancellor abandoned a Conservative manifesto commitment to fund the foreign aid budget at the equivalent of 0.7 % of gross national income , instead cutting it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £2.17trn , which means a reduction of 0.2 % amounts to a £4bn cut in the aid budget .
The move has sparked a backlash among Tory MPs and outside the party as well .
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said it was `` shameful and wrong '' , while former prime minister David Cameron said he `` deeply regrets '' the decision .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It also prompted Baroness Sugg , a Foreign Office minister , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Sunak said the government hoped to return to spending 0.7 % of GDP on aid `` when the fiscal situation allows '' .
The economy is forecast to contract by 11.3 % this year , the largest fall in output for more than 300 years .
The chancellor said that despite the cut , the government would still be spending £10bn on aid next year .
`` If you look at that as a percentage of GDP that 's 0.5 % , which will still make us more generous than almost any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be one of the most active countries globally , '' Mr Sunak said .
He added : `` We 're doing so much and people should hold their head up high about the role we 're playing . ''
On the wider state of the public finances , Mr Sunak admitted that current levels of spending and borrowing caused by coronavirus can not continue in the long term .
Asked if taxes could have to rise in the future to get the finances back on track , the chancellor replied : `` Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions because we 're dealing with so much uncertainty . ''
Defending his decision to freeze the pay of 1.3 million public sector workers , Mr Sunak said salaries in that sector are `` generally higher '' than those in the private sector .
He told Kay Burley that there was a `` disparity '' between the public and private sectors before the COVID-19 pandemic , and that `` even when you take into account characteristics and pensions , there was at least a 7 % pay premium for the public sector '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widened in the last six months , because what we 've seen over the last six months is private sector wages have fallen by a percent and public sector wages have risen by around 4 % , '' he said .
`` On top of that , people in the private sector are losing their jobs , their hours are being cut , they are being furloughed - none of that is happening in the public sector .
`` So given the context , I could n't justify an across the board , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Labour 's shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds condemned the cut in foreign aid and public sector pay freeze .
`` I would like him to be making savings around all the waste and mismanagement of public funds , '' she told Sky News .
£10bn more has been spent on PPE than was necessary , £12bn has been spent on a Test and Trace system that `` is still not working adequately '' and contractors have been found to be ten times more likely to get contracts if they have links to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burley .

The chancellor has defended cutting the foreign aid budget, telling Sky News: "This is about trying to focus on the priorities that the British people have at a time of enormous difficulty."
Speaking to Kay Burley, Rishi Sunak said the COVID-19 pandemic means he has had to make "difficult choices, of which aid was one of them".
In his spending review, the chancellor abandoned a Conservative manifesto commitment to fund the foreign aid budget at the equivalent of 0.7% of gross national income, instead cutting it to 0.5%.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:41 Chancellor Rishi Sunak says priority should be on UK jobs and services.
In 2019 GNI was £2.17trn, which means a reduction of 0.2% amounts to a £4bn cut in the aid budget.
The move has sparked a backlash among Tory MPs and outside the party as well.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said it was "shameful and wrong", while former prime minister David Cameron said he "deeply regrets" the decision.
:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It also prompted Baroness Sugg, a Foreign Office minister, to quit her role in protest.
Mr Sunak said the government hoped to return to spending 0.7% of GDP on aid "when the fiscal situation allows".
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The economy is forecast to contract by 11.3% this year, the largest fall in output for more than 300 years.
The chancellor said that despite the cut, the government would still be spending £10bn on aid next year.
"If you look at that as a percentage of GDP that's 0.5%, which will still make us more generous than almost any other major economy and we'll still be one of the most active countries globally," Mr Sunak said.
He added: "We're doing so much and people should hold their head up high about the role we're playing."
On the wider state of the public finances, Mr Sunak admitted that current levels of spending and borrowing caused by coronavirus cannot continue in the long term.
Asked if taxes could have to rise in the future to get the finances back on track, the chancellor replied: "Now is not the time to make those decisions because we're dealing with so much uncertainty."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:21 Cameron on aid cut: 'It's a very sad moment'
Defending his decision to freeze the pay of 1.3 million public sector workers, Mr Sunak said salaries in that sector are "generally higher" than those in the private sector.
He told Kay Burley that there was a "disparity" between the public and private sectors before the COVID-19 pandemic, and that "even when you take into account characteristics and pensions, there was at least a 7% pay premium for the public sector".
"That pay premium has certainly widened in the last six months, because what we've seen over the last six months is private sector wages have fallen by a percent and public sector wages have risen by around 4%," he said.
"On top of that, people in the private sector are losing their jobs, their hours are being cut, they are being furloughed - none of that is happening in the public sector.
"So given the context, I couldn't justify an across the board, universal pay increase for the public sector."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:48 'Billions wasted during this crisis'
Labour's shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds condemned the cut in foreign aid and public sector pay freeze.
"I would like him to be making savings around all the waste and mismanagement of public funds," she told Sky News.
£10bn more has been spent on PPE than was necessary, £12bn has been spent on a Test and Trace system that "is still not working adequately" and contractors have been found to be ten times more likely to get contracts if they have links to the Conservative Party, she told Kay Burley.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-27--PM facing rebellion as 99% of England placed in toughest coronavirus tiers

Boris Johnson is facing a revolt from his own MPs after it emerged that 99 % of England 's population will fall under the two toughest coronavirus tiers when lockdown ends next week .
Several senior Conservatives have urged the government to publish analysis of the impact that these tightened rules will have on reducing infection rates - as well as the effect it will have on people 's livelihoods and the wider business community .
About 32 million people - covering 57.3 % of England - will fall into Tier 2 .
But 23.3 million people - 41.5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be placed in Tier 3 from 2 December .
Search your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in Large parts of the Midlands , the North East and the North West will be subject to the severest measures .
Hospitality venues will be closed in the run-up to Christmas unless they can provide takeaway or delivery services , and households are forbidden from mixing indoors .
But figures suggest that , of the 119 areas that will be in Tier 3 from next week , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
Sir Graham Brady , the chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs , told the BBC : `` By forcing so much of the country into those really tough restrictions , especially places where the rates of infection have been falling to much lower levels , I think the government has given itself a much harder job . ''
Reports in the Daily Mail suggest that up to 70 government backbenchers are prepared to rebel against the prime minister when MPs vote on the regulations next Monday .
And even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be reviewed on 16 December , The Times has reported that measures may not eased until the middle of January .
Infectious disease experts have said that tougher restrictions are needed before travel rules are relaxed from 23-27 December - covering the Christmas period .
The government has promised that it will publish an impact assessment of the measures before MPs vote on 1 December , amid concerns that the economic harm and knock-on health effects of the tier system have not been fully taken into account .
Steve Baker , deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative MPs , said yesterday that the `` authoritarianism at work is truly appalling '' .
And Sir Roger Gale , MP for the Kent constituency of North Thanet , criticised the decision to place all of the county in Tier 3 , telling Sky News he fears people will `` skip over the boundary '' to go to a nearby pub in Tier 2 .
In a bid to soften the blow for Tier 3 areas , ministers are promising them access to rapid-result COVID-19 tests to help bring down infections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash will also be on offer to areas placed into Tier 2 and Tier 3 .
The health secretary said `` these are not easy decisions , but they have been made according to the best clinical advice '' .
At a Downing Street briefing yesterday , Professor Chris Whitty said the latest Tier 2 measures will `` hold the line '' - meaning that the restrictions will likely stop infection rates rising , but may not contribute to them falling in a meaningful way .
`` Tier 3 we think based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things down from a higher peak , '' he explained .
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned a `` very high '' number of people - one in 85 - currently have COVID-19 in England .
He added : `` The tiers worked in terms of slowing but did n't work in terms of flattening and reversing it .
`` The national lockdown looks as if it has flattened it and is sending it downwards and it is important we do bring it down because numbers remain high . ''
Just 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be living under Tier 1 restrictions .

Boris Johnson is facing a revolt from his own MPs after it emerged that 99% of England's population will fall under the two toughest coronavirus tiers when lockdown ends next week.
Several senior Conservatives have urged the government to publish analysis of the impact that these tightened rules will have on reducing infection rates - as well as the effect it will have on people's livelihoods and the wider business community.
Search your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in
About 32 million people - covering 57.3% of England - will fall into Tier 2. But 23.3 million people - 41.5% of the population - are going to be placed in Tier 3 from 2 December.
Large parts of the Midlands, the North East and the North West will be subject to the severest measures. Hospitality venues will be closed in the run-up to Christmas unless they can provide takeaway or delivery services, and households are forbidden from mixing indoors.
But figures suggest that, of the 119 areas that will be in Tier 3 from next week, only eight have reported a rise in coronavirus cases.
A cabinet minister has acknowledged that the government needs to try to win over rebel MPs.
"We have a job to do to speak to and convince our parliamentary colleagues," Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky's Kay Burley.
"These measures are things we do with a really heavy heart. None of us, from the prime minister downwards, want to be doing this," Mr Jenrick said.
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"But we do think a strong tiered approach enables a localised, proportionate way forward. It's infinitely better than the alternative, which is to have further national lockdowns."
Asked what will happen if the measures are rejected by parliament, he replied: "If we don't have the votes in parliament then you can't implement the policy. That's the way our system works."
According to a tally by Sky News, at least 50 Tory MPs have gone public with their concerns over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to a vote.
Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs, told the BBC: "By forcing so much of the country into those really tough restrictions, especially places where the rates of infection have been falling to much lower levels, I think the government has given itself a much harder job."
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the COVID Recovery Group of Conservative MPs, said yesterday that the "authoritarianism at work is truly appalling".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:12 'Certainly possible' tiers could change pre-Xmas
And Sir Roger Gale, MP for the Kent constituency of North Thanet, criticised the decision to place all of the county in Tier 3, telling Sky News he fears people will "skip over the boundary" to go to a nearby pub in Tier 2.
Reports in the Daily Mail suggest that as many as 70 government backbenchers are prepared to rebel against the prime minister when MPs vote on the regulations on Tuesday.
Labour's shadow health minister Justin Madders has told Sky News the party has not decided yet whether to support the tier restrictions.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:46 Labour not yet backing new tiers
Even though the tiers across England are scheduled to be reviewed on 16 December, The Times has reported that measures may not be eased until the middle of January.
Infectious disease experts have said that tougher restrictions are needed before travel rules are relaxed from 23-27 December - covering the Christmas period.
The government has promised that it will publish an impact assessment of the measures before MPs vote, amid concerns that the economic harm and knock-on health effects of the tier system have not been fully taken into account.
:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In a bid to soften the blow for Tier 3 areas, ministers are promising them access to rapid-result COVID-19 tests to help bring down infections, as well as cash subsidies.
Extra cash will also be on offer to areas placed into Tier 2 and Tier 3.
The health secretary said "these are not easy decisions, but they have been made according to the best clinical advice".
At a Downing Street briefing yesterday, Professor Chris Whitty said the latest Tier 2 measures will "hold the line" - meaning that the restrictions will likely stop infection rates rising, but may not contribute to them falling in a meaningful way.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 Whitty 'wouldn't advise' hugging elderly relatives
"Tier 3 we think based on previous experiences is strong enough to pull things down from a higher peak," he explained.
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned a "very high" number of people - one in 85 - currently have COVID-19 in England.
He added: "The tiers worked in terms of slowing but didn't work in terms of flattening and reversing it.
"The national lockdown looks as if it has flattened it and is sending it downwards and it is important we do bring it down because numbers remain high."
Just 1% of the population, 714,000 people, will be living under Tier 1 restrictions.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-26--'Don't hug your gran at Christmas': Chief medic's message as PM warns of possible New Year lockdown

Boris Johnson has raised the prospect of a New Year lockdown if Britons ease off in the fight against coronavirus - as his chief medic warned people not to hug elderly relatives at Christmas .
England is due to exit its second national lockdown next Wednesday and the prime minister , speaking at a Downing Street news conference , said his aim now was to avoid `` taking our foot off the throat of the beast '' .
`` If we ease off now we risk losing control of this virus all over again , casting aside our hard-won gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year national lockdown with all the damage that would mean , '' he said .
Mr Johnson said the `` tough measures '' in his new three-tiered system of localised restrictions would be the `` best way to avoid this outcome '' .
Some restrictions will be relaxed even further during a five-day period over Christmas .
But England 's chief medical officer , Professor Chris Whitty , urged people to avoid physical contact with grandparents or other elderly relatives .
He said : `` Would I encourage someone to hug and kiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
`` It 's not against the law - and that 's the whole point - you can do it within the rules that are there , but it does not make sense because you could be carrying the virus .
`` And , if you 've got an elderly relative , that would not be the thing you would want to do in a period where we 're running up to a point where , actually , we might be able to protect older people . ''
The prime minister suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 and 27 December because people might have ignored more stringent rules anyway .
`` It is an incredibly difficult decision , '' he said .
`` You 've got to strike a balance between people 's strong desire to celebrate a family holiday , perhaps one of the most important family holidays of the year - which they frankly are going to do anyway - and the need to keep the virus under control . ''
Under England 's new system of localised restrictions , 99 % of the country 's population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Mr Johnson told the public : `` Your tier is not your destiny , every area has the means of escape . ''
The prime minister signalled that mass testing would offer a route out of the highest Tier 3 , as he praised a recent pilot scheme in Liverpool , which will go into Tier 2 from next Wednesday .
It means the city is one of only two places in England to experience eased restrictions from 2 December - by moving from Tier 3 of the system that preceded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Asked whether the entire British Army would have to be deployed to deliver mass testing to the 40 % of England 's population that is in Tier 3 , Mr Johnson replied : `` We 'll give the help and support of the armed services , the army , where necessary .
`` But it will also take local leadership and local communities coming together to get those lateral flow tests out .
`` Parts of the country and various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to do what Liverpool has already done .
`` But it depends very much on communities coming together , local leaders saying they want to do it .
Because it 's not something that we want to be imposing .
You ca n't compel people to take a test .
`` People need to understand this is the way forward both for themselves and for their communities . ''
Prof Whitty said he expected , should a COVID vaccine be approved , that parts of the country could move down the tiered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted that - at the moment - Tier 1 restrictions were not expected to be strong enough to prevent a rise in infections .
There are around 14,000 troops on standby ready to help deliver the government 's coronavirus plans this winter , including specialist planners , medic and logistics experts .
A government spokesperson said : `` From next week , local authorities that fall into Tier 3 will be able to apply for support from NHS Test and Trace and the Armed Forces to deliver a six-week rapid community testing programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flow tests and planning , logistics , funding and communications support . ''

Boris Johnson has raised the prospect of a New Year lockdown if Britons ease off in the fight against coronavirus - as his chief medic warned people not to hug elderly relatives at Christmas.
England is due to exit its second national lockdown next Wednesday and the prime minister, speaking at a Downing Street news conference, said his aim now was to avoid "taking our foot off the throat of the beast".
"If we ease off now we risk losing control of this virus all over again, casting aside our hard-won gains and forcing us back to a New Year national lockdown with all the damage that would mean," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:48 'How are you going to test 40% of England?'
Mr Johnson said the "tough measures" in his new three-tiered system of localised restrictions would be the "best way to avoid this outcome".
Some restrictions will be relaxed even further during a five-day period over Christmas.
But England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, urged people to avoid physical contact with grandparents or other elderly relatives.
He said: "Would I encourage someone to hug and kiss their elderly relatives? No I would not.
"It's not against the law - and that's the whole point - you can do it within the rules that are there, but it does not make sense because you could be carrying the virus.
"And, if you've got an elderly relative, that would not be the thing you would want to do in a period where we're running up to a point where, actually, we might be able to protect older people."
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The prime minister suggested he is allowing more relaxed measures between 23 and 27 December because people might have ignored more stringent rules anyway.
"It is an incredibly difficult decision," he said.
"You've got to strike a balance between people's strong desire to celebrate a family holiday, perhaps one of the most important family holidays of the year - which they frankly are going to do anyway - and the need to keep the virus under control."
Under England's new system of localised restrictions, 99% of the country's population will enter the toughest two tiers.
But Mr Johnson told the public: "Your tier is not your destiny, every area has the means of escape."
The prime minister signalled that mass testing would offer a route out of the highest Tier 3, as he praised a recent pilot scheme in Liverpool, which will go into Tier 2 from next Wednesday.
It means the city is one of only two places in England to experience eased restrictions from 2 December - by moving from Tier 3 of the system that preceded the national lockdown.
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Asked whether the entire British Army would have to be deployed to deliver mass testing to the 40% of England's population that is in Tier 3, Mr Johnson replied: "We'll give the help and support of the armed services, the army, where necessary.
"But it will also take local leadership and local communities coming together to get those lateral flow tests out.
"Parts of the country and various towns are already coming forward saying they want to do what Liverpool has already done.
"But it depends very much on communities coming together, local leaders saying they want to do it. Because it's not something that we want to be imposing. You can't compel people to take a test.
"People need to understand this is the way forward both for themselves and for their communities."
Prof Whitty said he expected, should a COVID vaccine be approved, that parts of the country could move down the tiered system of restrictions.
However, he admitted that - at the moment - Tier 1 restrictions were not expected to be strong enough to prevent a rise in infections.
There are around 14,000 troops on standby ready to help deliver the government's coronavirus plans this winter, including specialist planners, medic and logistics experts.
A government spokesperson said: "From next week, local authorities that fall into Tier 3 will be able to apply for support from NHS Test and Trace and the Armed Forces to deliver a six-week rapid community testing programme.
"This includes access to lateral flow tests and planning, logistics, funding and communications support."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-26--Husband of Test and Trace boss joins Tory backlash against tiering decisions

The husband of the NHS Test and Trace scheme 's boss has joined a growing number of Conservative MPs in expressing their anger at the allocation of new coronavirus restrictions .
John Penrose , the Weston-super-Mare MP , attacked the `` illogical '' decision to place his constituency in Tier 3 , the toughest level of restrictions , when England 's national lockdown ends next week .
In a joint statement with North Somerset MP Liam Fox , his parliamentary neighbour , Mr Penrose said the decision to put both their areas into Tier 3 - despite nearby areas being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right or fair '' .
They Tory MPs said : `` On our own , North Somerset might well qualify to be in Tier 2 , but we have been placed in Tier 3 because we are regarded as ' a natural travel to work area ' along with Bristol and South Gloucestershire .
`` The fact that Bath and North East Somerset is in Tier 2 , even though it is part of the same 'natural travel to work area ' , makes the decision even more illogical . ''
Mr Penrose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the much-criticised NHS Test and Trace programme .
He was not alone among Tory MPs criticising the tiering allocation for their constituencies , with many having publicly expressed their concern .
The announcement of tiering allocations on Thursday saw 99 % of the population in England told they will live under the toughest two tiers from next Wednesday .
Amid pressure from Conservative backbenchers , the government has promised to publish an impact assessment of the new three-tiered system of local restrictions before MPs vote on it next week .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will rebel against the government 's plan in the House of Commons .
Sir Graham Brady , the chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory MPs , said he will vote against the measures next week .
`` I have severe reservations on so many different levels , '' he told BBC Radio 4 's World At One .
`` I do think that the policies have been far too authoritarian . ''
Tim Loughton , the East Worthing and Shoreham MP , also warned he would rebel if the `` clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the decision to put his constituency into Tier 2 was `` not convincing '' .
Former minister Tobias Ellwood , the MP for Bournemouth East , said he was `` puzzled '' why the south coast town had been placed in Tier 2 .
`` With only 160 cases per 100k I 'm puzzled to see us placed in this tier which will cause further hardship for our hospitality industry .
`` I will NOT be supporting the Gov 's motion to introduce this next week . ''
Steve Baker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tory MPs who are sceptical of lockdown measures , said : `` The authoritarianism at work today is truly appalling .
`` But is it necessary and proportionate to the threat from this disease ? ''
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Former cabinet ministers Greg Clark and Damian Green were among seven Tory MPs to express their disappointment at the whole of Kent being placed into Tier 3 .
`` Kent is a very large county with distinct areas within it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differences in the incidence of COVID , '' the group of MPs wrote in a letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
`` These restrictions , as well as dealing a big blow to the local businesses in our communities , risk undermining public support for measures if they are seen not to be justified by the incidence of COVID . ''

The husband of the NHS Test and Trace scheme's boss has joined a growing number of Conservative MPs in expressing their anger at the allocation of new coronavirus restrictions.
John Penrose, the Weston-super-Mare MP, attacked the "illogical" decision to place his constituency in Tier 3, the toughest level of restrictions, when England's national lockdown ends next week.
In a joint statement with North Somerset MP Liam Fox, his parliamentary neighbour, Mr Penrose said the decision to put both their areas into Tier 3 - despite nearby areas being in Tier 2 - "isn't right or fair".
Image: Boris Johnson is facing a backlash from unhappy Conservative MPs
They Tory MPs said: "On our own, North Somerset might well qualify to be in Tier 2, but we have been placed in Tier 3 because we are regarded as 'a natural travel to work area' along with Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
"The fact that Bath and North East Somerset is in Tier 2, even though it is part of the same 'natural travel to work area', makes the decision even more illogical."
Mr Penrose is married to Baroness Harding, the head of the much-criticised NHS Test and Trace programme.
He was not alone among Tory MPs criticising the tiering allocation for their constituencies, with many having publicly expressed their concern.
The announcement of tiering allocations on Thursday saw 99% of the population in England told they will live under the toughest two tiers from next Wednesday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 'I wouldn't advise' hugging elderly relatives at Xmas
Amid pressure from Conservative backbenchers, the government has promised to publish an impact assessment of the new three-tiered system of local restrictions before MPs vote on it next week.
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But some Tory MPs have already said they will rebel against the government's plan in the House of Commons.
Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, said he will vote against the measures next week.
"I have severe reservations on so many different levels," he told BBC Radio 4's World At One.
"I do think that the policies have been far too authoritarian."
Tim Loughton, the East Worthing and Shoreham MP, also warned he would rebel if the "clinical and economic data and assessment" that led to the decision to put his constituency into Tier 2 was "not convincing".
Former minister Tobias Ellwood, the MP for Bournemouth East, said he was "puzzled" why the south coast town had been placed in Tier 2.
"With only 160 cases per 100k I'm puzzled to see us placed in this tier which will cause further hardship for our hospitality industry.
"I will NOT be supporting the Gov's motion to introduce this next week."
Steve Baker, leader of the COVID Recovery Group of Tory MPs who are sceptical of lockdown measures, said: "The authoritarianism at work today is truly appalling.
"But is it necessary and proportionate to the threat from this disease?"
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Former cabinet ministers Greg Clark and Damian Green were among seven Tory MPs to express their disappointment at the whole of Kent being placed into Tier 3.
"Kent is a very large county with distinct areas within it, which is reflected in the vast differences in the incidence of COVID," the group of MPs wrote in a letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
"These restrictions, as well as dealing a big blow to the local businesses in our communities, risk undermining public support for measures if they are seen not to be justified by the incidence of COVID."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-26--The PM has burned through his political capital to set a strict course for the next few months

As Conor Burns ' Bournemouth West constituency was put into Tier 2 on Thursday , the MP took to Twitter to ask a question from a constituent that he was struggling to answer .
It read : `` How can you end a four-week lockdown in a worse place in terms of restrictions than before ? ''
It is a question that millions of people may be asking themselves as the new system announced on Thursday put all but 700,000 people across England in the two tougher tiers .
A total of 28 million of us went into lockdown living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but will come out in Tiers 2 or 3 .
Hardly a return to freedom .
The prime minister was apologetic but he also said the new measures were necessary as he floated the prospect of a third national lockdown if `` we ease off now '' .
It 's hardly a surprise that the tiers are tougher .
Back in November , the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) concluded that Tier 1 measures alone were `` not enough to prevent the epidemic from growing rapidly '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right circumstances in some cases , Tier 2 could theoretically be enough to reduce R to below 1 , however this has not been observed '' .
The fact we went into lockdown was proof the old tier system had n't worked and so it is logical that as we come out of national measures what we return to is a tougher system .
Add in the five days of relaxation at Christmas , annual NHS winter crisis and the colder weather and this tier system looks likely to run well into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted on Wednesday `` your tier is not your destiny '' but it 's hard to imagine in the coming few weeks how areas will be moved down the tier system .
Ask an official if they believe we might see some easing in the New Year , you 'll get a simple answer : `` That depends . ''
But if the public is miserable about the prospect of more restrictions for a few more months , many in the Conservative party are furious , believing the prime minister has been captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his advisers on SAGE : the rebellion is growing fast .
Steve Baker , deputy chair of the COVID Recovery Group , described the government 's actions as `` authoritarianism at work '' and said it was `` truly appalling '' .
Iain Duncan Smith , the former Conservative leader , told me the number of MPs troubled by the proposed measures is approaching 100 .
`` There is deep genuine concern amongst my colleagues about where we are heading and what the plan is , '' he said .
`` Tightening this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then tightening up again possibly going into a lockdown .
These are a series of lurches which do n't allow people to understand where we 're going . ''
For Mr Duncan Smith and many of his colleagues , the devastation to the economy is an important part of the equation that is being overlooked .
He said : `` It does seem to me , endlessly , that the scientists keep winning out on saying the only thing that matters is COVID and I do n't think that 's the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his course , and in the coming few days the government will publish a analysis on the impact of the interventions on controlling COVID as well as the non-COVID health , economic and societal impact in order to try to win over its own MPs before the vote on Tuesday .
It could well prove a futile act with a core of rebels preparing to vote against the measures .
The prime minister , with a majority of 80 , faces the very real prospect of having to rely on Labour votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's a reflection of the extent to which his government 's handling of the health crisis has burnt through Mr Johnson 's political capital .
And once you 've lost it , it 's very hard to pull it back .

As Conor Burns' Bournemouth West constituency was put into Tier 2 on Thursday, the MP took to Twitter to ask a question from a constituent that he was struggling to answer.
It read: "How can you end a four-week lockdown in a worse place in terms of restrictions than before?"
It is a question that millions of people may be asking themselves as the new system announced on Thursday put all but 700,000 people across England in the two tougher tiers.
A total of 28 million of us went into lockdown living under the lowest levels of restrictions, but will come out in Tiers 2 or 3. Hardly a return to freedom.
The prime minister was apologetic but he also said the new measures were necessary as he floated the prospect of a third national lockdown if "we ease off now".
It's hardly a surprise that the tiers are tougher. Back in November, the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) concluded that Tier 1 measures alone were "not enough to prevent the epidemic from growing rapidly".
As for Tier 2, "under the right circumstances in some cases, Tier 2 could theoretically be enough to reduce R to below 1, however this has not been observed".
The fact we went into lockdown was proof the old tier system hadn't worked and so it is logical that as we come out of national measures what we return to is a tougher system.
Add in the five days of relaxation at Christmas, annual NHS winter crisis and the colder weather and this tier system looks likely to run well into the New Year.
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The prime minister insisted on Wednesday "your tier is not your destiny" but it's hard to imagine in the coming few weeks how areas will be moved down the tier system.
Ask an official if they believe we might see some easing in the New Year, you'll get a simple answer: "That depends."
But if the public is miserable about the prospect of more restrictions for a few more months, many in the Conservative party are furious, believing the prime minister has been captured by scientific "group think" by his advisers on SAGE: the rebellion is growing fast.
Steve Baker, deputy chair of the COVID Recovery Group, described the government's actions as "authoritarianism at work" and said it was "truly appalling".
Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, told me the number of MPs troubled by the proposed measures is approaching 100.
"There is deep genuine concern amongst my colleagues about where we are heading and what the plan is," he said.
Image: All but 700,000 people across England are in the upper two tiers
"Tightening this up, then releasing at Christmas, then tightening up again possibly going into a lockdown. These are a series of lurches which don't allow people to understand where we're going."
For Mr Duncan Smith and many of his colleagues, the devastation to the economy is an important part of the equation that is being overlooked.
He said: "It does seem to me, endlessly, that the scientists keep winning out on saying the only thing that matters is COVID and I don't think that's the case."
But the prime minister has decided on his course, and in the coming few days the government will publish a analysis on the impact of the interventions on controlling COVID as well as the non-COVID health, economic and societal impact in order to try to win over its own MPs before the vote on Tuesday.
It could well prove a futile act with a core of rebels preparing to vote against the measures.
The prime minister, with a majority of 80, faces the very real prospect of having to rely on Labour votes to push through his flagship pandemic policy.
It's a reflection of the extent to which his government's handling of the health crisis has burnt through Mr Johnson's political capital.
And once you've lost it, it's very hard to pull it back.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-26--PM appoints ex-Treasury official as chief of staff after Cummings exit

Boris Johnson has appointed an ex-Treasury official as his chief of staff following the bitter battle within Number 10 that led to the departure of two key aides .
Dan Rosenfield , who served in the Treasury under former chancellors Alistair Darling and George Osborne , will start working in Downing Street next month .
He will join the prime minister 's team from Hakluyt , a London-based strategic advisory firm for businesses and investors .
Mr Rosenfield 's appointment follows the dramatic exit from Number 10 of the prime minister 's controversial former chief adviser , Dominic Cummings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cain .
Mr Cain quit Number 10 earlier this month after claiming to have been offered the chief of staff job himself .
It was reported that Carrie Symonds , the prime minister 's fiancee , and Allegra Stratton , Mr Johnson 's new press secretary , were among those to have been opposed to a promotion for Mr Cain .
Days later , Mr Cummings also exited Downing Street to bring to an end a power struggle within Mr Johnson 's administration that saw bitter briefings from both sides of Number 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another of the prime minister 's chief advisers - was appointed acting chief of staff in the wake of Mr Cummings 's and Mr Cain 's departures .
He will continue to serve in the role until 1 January , when Mr Rosenfield will formally take over .
Mr Rosenfield , who was raised in Manchester and is said to be a Manchester United supporter , joined Hakluyt 's Mayfair office in 2016 .
The firm , which has a reputation for secrecy , was founded by former intelligence officers and has previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest home for MI6 men '' .
Its website states it `` advises decision-makers on the opportunities and risks facing their businesses '' .
In 2001 , the Sunday Times reported that Hakluyt spied on environmental campaign groups to collect information for oil companies , including Shell and BP .
Prior to his work for Hakluyt , Mr Rosenfield worked in investment banking at Bank of America .
And , before that , he was a Treasury official for more than a decade , including four years as principal private secretary to Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also chairman of World Jewish Relief , the British Jewish community 's humanitarian agency .
He is expected to spend his first weeks in Number 10 meeting with government ministers , Tory MPs and the wider Number 10 team , before formally taking over from Lord Udny-Lister in the New Year .

Boris Johnson has appointed an ex-Treasury official as his chief of staff following the bitter battle within Number 10 that led to the departure of two key aides.
Dan Rosenfield, who served in the Treasury under former chancellors Alistair Darling and George Osborne, will start working in Downing Street next month.
He will join the prime minister's team from Hakluyt, a London-based strategic advisory firm for businesses and investors.
Image: Mr Rosenfield (middle left) was previously principal private secretary to George Osborne (middle right)
Mr Rosenfield's appointment follows the dramatic exit from Number 10 of the prime minister's controversial former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, and his ex-director of communications, Lee Cain.
Mr Cain quit Number 10 earlier this month after claiming to have been offered the chief of staff job himself.
It was reported that Carrie Symonds, the prime minister's fiancee, and Allegra Stratton, Mr Johnson's new press secretary, were among those to have been opposed to a promotion for Mr Cain.
Days later, Mr Cummings also exited Downing Street to bring to an end a power struggle within Mr Johnson's administration that saw bitter briefings from both sides of Number 10's warring factions.
Lord Udny-Lister - another of the prime minister's chief advisers - was appointed acting chief of staff in the wake of Mr Cummings's and Mr Cain's departures.
He will continue to serve in the role until 1 January, when Mr Rosenfield will formally take over.
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Image: Dominic Cummings left Downing Street earlier this month after a bitter Number 10 power struggle
Mr Rosenfield, who was raised in Manchester and is said to be a Manchester United supporter, joined Hakluyt's Mayfair office in 2016.
The firm, which has a reputation for secrecy, was founded by former intelligence officers and has previously been referred to as a "convenient rest home for MI6 men".
Its website states it "advises decision-makers on the opportunities and risks facing their businesses".
In 2001, the Sunday Times reported that Hakluyt spied on environmental campaign groups to collect information for oil companies, including Shell and BP.
Prior to his work for Hakluyt, Mr Rosenfield worked in investment banking at Bank of America.
And, before that, he was a Treasury official for more than a decade, including four years as principal private secretary to Mr Darling and Mr Osborne.
Mr Rosenfield is also chairman of World Jewish Relief, the British Jewish community's humanitarian agency.
He is expected to spend his first weeks in Number 10 meeting with government ministers, Tory MPs and the wider Number 10 team, before formally taking over from Lord Udny-Lister in the New Year.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-27--PM attempts to quell fury as dozens of Tory MPs complain about tier system

Boris Johnson is trying to fight off a growing backlash among Conservative MPs over the new coronavirus tiers , with more than 50 going public with their concerns .
According to a tally by Sky News , at least 54 Tories have voiced their unhappiness over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to a vote next week .
Search your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in '' I totally understand why people feel frustrated , I get that , '' the prime minister said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I really , really hope that people also understand that I think the vast majority of the British public want us to work hard , do the right thing and beat the virus together . ''
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world It comes after it was revealed that 99 % of England 's population will fall under the two toughest tiers when the second national lockdown ends on 2 December .
Several senior Conservatives have urged the government to publish an analysis of the impact that these tightened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - as well as the effect it will have on people 's livelihoods and the wider business community .
About 32 million people - covering 57.3 % of England - will fall into Tier 2 .
But 23.3 million people - 41.5 % of the population - are going to be placed in Tier 3 from 2 December .
Large parts of the Midlands , the North East and the North West will be subject to the severest measures .
Hospitality venues will be closed in the run-up to Christmas unless they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households are forbidden from mixing indoors .
But figures suggest that , of the 119 areas that will be in Tier 3 from next week , only eight have reported a rise in coronavirus cases .
Mr Johnson stressed that he understood people 's frustrations , but defended the strengthened tiers .
`` I know it 's very frustrating for people who feel that they 're in a high tier area when there 's very little incidence in their village or their area .
I totally understand why people feel so frustrated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' But the difficulty is that if you did it any other way , first of all you 'd divide the country up into loads and loads of very complicated sub divisions .
`` There 's got to be some simplicity and some clarity in the way that we do this .
`` The second problem is that , alas , our experience is that when a high incidence area is quite close to a low incidence area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high incidence area the low incidence area , I 'm afraid , starts to catch up . ''
The government has promised that it will publish an impact assessment of the measures before MPs vote on them on Tuesday , amid concerns that the economic harm and knock-on health effects of the tier system have not been fully taken into account .
In a bid to soften the blow for Tier 3 areas , ministers are promising them access to rapid-result COVID-19 tests to help bring down infections , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on offer to areas placed into Tier 2 and Tier 3 .
On access to testing , Mr Johnson said : `` We 've got tens of , perhaps hundreds of millions of lateral flow tests coming into this country .
We already have a huge stockpile .
`` The difficulty is not the supply at the moment , the difficulty is actually working with local government , local communities to get them doing it . ''
The PM added : `` So the supply I do n't think is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be getting everybody mobilised , to understand the potential advantages of mass community testing . ''
Mr Johnson 's comments come after one of his ministers said some parts of England could have their coronavirus restrictions eased before Christmas .
The coronavirus tiers are due to be reviewed by the government on 16 December .
Speaking to Kay Burley , Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said there was `` every reason '' to believe some areas could be moved down the tier system .
The PM echoed this , saying there `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening .

Boris Johnson is trying to fight off a growing backlash among Conservative MPs over the new coronavirus tiers, with more than 50 going public with their concerns.
According to a tally by Sky News, a total of 57 Tories have voiced their unhappiness over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to a vote next week.
Search your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in
"I totally understand why people feel frustrated, I get that," the prime minister said about the COVID-19 restrictions.
"But I really, really hope that people also understand that I think the vast majority of the British public want us to work hard, do the right thing and beat the virus together."
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world
It comes after it was revealed that 99% of England's population will fall under the two toughest tiers when the second national lockdown ends on 2 December.
About 32 million people - covering 57.3% of England - will fall into Tier 2. But 23.3 million people - 41.5% of the population - are going to be placed in Tier 3 from 2 December.
Large parts of the Midlands, the North East and the North West will be subject to the severest measures. Hospitality venues will be closed in the run-up to Christmas unless they can provide takeaway or delivery services, and households are forbidden from mixing indoors.
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But figures suggest that, of the 119 areas that will be in Tier 3 from next week, only eight have reported a rise in coronavirus cases.
Mr Johnson stressed that he understood people's frustrations, but defended the strengthened tiers.
"I know it's very frustrating for people who feel that they're in a high tier area when there's very little incidence in their village or their area. I totally understand why people feel so frustrated," the PM said.
"But the difficulty is that if you did it any other way, first of all you'd divide the country up into loads and loads of very complicated sub divisions.
"There's got to be some simplicity and some clarity in the way that we do this.
"The second problem is that, alas, our experience is that when a high incidence area is quite close to a low incidence area, unless you beat the problem in the high incidence area the low incidence area, I'm afraid, starts to catch up."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The government has promised that it will publish an impact assessment of the measures before MPs vote on them on Tuesday, amid concerns that the economic harm and knock-on health effects of the tier system have not been fully taken into account.
And in a bid to soften the blow for Tier 3 areas, ministers are promising them access to rapid-result COVID-19 tests to help bring down infections, as well as cash subsidies.
Extra cash will also be on offer to areas placed into Tier 2 and Tier 3.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 PM faces backlash over COVID tiers
Asked if Mr Johnson would be holding any talks with unhappy Conservative MPs before next week's vote on the tiers, the PM's spokesman said he "is in regular contact with MPs and that will be no different as we move through this process".
When asked if the government could seek to use the Civil Contingencies Act if the tiered system is rejected by MPs, the spokesman said he would "not get into speculation".
On access to testing, Mr Johnson said: "We've got tens of, perhaps hundreds of millions of lateral flow tests coming into this country. We already have a huge stockpile.
"The difficulty is not the supply at the moment, the difficulty is actually working with local government, local communities to get them doing it."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:12 'Certainly possible' tiers could change pre-Xmas
The PM added: "So the supply I don't think is going to be the problem. The issue is going to be getting everybody mobilised, to understand the potential advantages of mass community testing."
Mr Johnson's comments come after one of his ministers said some parts of England could have their coronavirus restrictions eased before Christmas.
The coronavirus tiers are due to be reviewed by the government on 16 December.
Speaking to Kay Burley, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said there was "every reason" to believe some areas could be moved down the tier system.
The PM echoed this, saying there "really is the prospect" of that happening.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-27--Some parts of England could have tiers downgraded before Christmas, minister says

Some parts of England could have their coronavirus restrictions eased before Christmas , a cabinet minister has told Sky News .
Speaking to Kay Burley , Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said there was `` every reason '' to believe some areas could be moved down the COVID-19 tier system when there is a review in the middle of December .
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world Search your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in '' It is possible , '' he said .
`` There will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , around December 16 .
`` At that point we - advised by the experts - will look at each local authority area and see whether there is potential to move down the tiers .
`` There were a number of places which were quite finely balanced judgments where they were on the cusp of different tiers .
Those are the places that are more likely to be in that position . ''
Mr Jenrick said a relaxation of restrictions over Christmas - which will see three households allowed to mix over five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher rate of infection '' .
`` Our overall approach is trying to ensure the tiers hold the line and that places are in a process of de-escalation , '' he continued .
`` What we do n't want to do is ease up too quickly and then find that in January we are having to put tiers back in place again .
`` But there is every reason to believe that places could see a change at December 16-17 time . ''
Ahead of the end of the second national lockdown on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiers was revealed on Thursday .
It was revealed that 99 % of England 's population will fall under the two toughest tiers .
About 32 million people - covering 57.3 % of England - will fall into Tier 2 .
But 23.3 million people - 41.5 % of the population - are going to be placed in Tier 3 .
Large parts of the Midlands , the North East and the North West will be subject to the severest measures .
Hospitality venues will be closed in the run-up to Christmas unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and households are forbidden from mixing indoors .
But figures suggest that , of the 119 areas that will be in Tier 3 from next week , only eight have reported a rise in coronavirus cases .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Boris Johnson is facing the prospect of a revolt among Conservative MPs when the measures are put to a vote in the Commons next week .
According to a tally by Sky News , more than 50 Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to a vote .

Some parts of England could have their coronavirus restrictions eased before Christmas, a cabinet minister has told Sky News.
Speaking to Kay Burley, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said there was "every reason" to believe some areas could be moved down the COVID-19 tier system when there is a review in the middle of December.
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world
Search your area on this map to find out which tier it has been placed in
"It is possible," he said.
"There will be a review point in 14 days' time, around December 16.
"At that point we - advised by the experts - will look at each local authority area and see whether there is potential to move down the tiers.
"There were a number of places which were quite finely balanced judgments where they were on the cusp of different tiers. Those are the places that are more likely to be in that position."
Mr Jenrick said a relaxation of restrictions over Christmas - which will see three households allowed to mix over five days - will likely "drive some higher rate of infection".
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"Our overall approach is trying to ensure the tiers hold the line and that places are in a process of de-escalation," he continued.
"What we don't want to do is ease up too quickly and then find that in January we are having to put tiers back in place again.
"But there is every reason to believe that places could see a change at December 16-17 time."
Ahead of the end of the second national lockdown on 2 December, the allocation of the tiers was revealed on Thursday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:46 Labour not yet backing new tiers
It was revealed that 99% of England's population will fall under the two toughest tiers.
About 32 million people - covering 57.3% of England - will fall into Tier 2.
But 23.3 million people - 41.5% of the population - are going to be placed in Tier 3.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:49 Tougher tiers could continue into 2021
Large parts of the Midlands, the North East and the North West will be subject to the severest measures.
Hospitality venues will be closed in the run-up to Christmas unless they can provide takeaway or delivery services, and households are forbidden from mixing indoors.
But figures suggest that, of the 119 areas that will be in Tier 3 from next week, only eight have reported a rise in coronavirus cases.
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Boris Johnson is facing the prospect of a revolt among Conservative MPs when the measures are put to a vote in the Commons next week.
According to a tally by Sky News, more than 50 Tory MPs have gone public with their concerns over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to a vote.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-27--Brexit deal 'still possible', but EU warned it 'must fully respect UK sovereignty'

A Brexit trade deal with the EU is `` still possible '' even though it is `` late '' , the UK 's chief negotiator has said .
In a series of tweets , Lord Frost said he was looking forward to welcoming EU negotiator Michel Barnier to London for face-to-face Brexit talks this weekend .
`` Some people are asking me why we are still talking .
My answer is that it 's my job to do my utmost to see if the conditions for a deal exist , '' he said .
`` It is late , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will continue to talk until it 's clear that it is n't . ''
But Lord Frost said `` for a deal to be possible it must fully respect UK sovereignty '' .
He added : `` That is not just a word - it has practical consequences .
`` That includes : controlling our borders ; deciding ourselves on a robust and principled subsidy control system ; and controlling our fishing waters .
`` We look to reach an agreement on this basis , allowing the new beginning to our relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , we have always wanted .
`` We will continue to work hard to get it - because an agreement on any other basis is not possible . ''
Boris Johnson has said `` substantial and important differences '' remain between the two sides .
`` The likelihood of a deal is very much determined by our friends and partners in the EU - there 's a deal there to be done if they want to do it , '' the prime minister said .
Mr Barnier mirrored this , saying ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' still remain .
The resumption of talks at a senior level comes after one of the EU negotiators tested positive for COVID-19 .
Confidential notes seen by Sky News earlier this month revealed that EU officials think a deal is 95 % agreed - but show the extent of anxiety over the potential impact if negotiations break down .
Britain left the EU at the end of January and entered into an 11-month transition period , following EU rules and regulations whilst trying to negotiate a free trade deal before 31 December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thrash out an agreement ahead of that deadline , although negotiations have continued to remain stuck on issues such as so-called `` level playing field '' commitments and fisheries .
If an agreement is not struck , Number 10 has said the UK will end the transition period `` on Australia terms '' - meaning any trade the UK does with the EU being subject to tariffs and quotas .
It would not be a free trade agreement .
The Office for Budget Responsibility said this week that failure to strike a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gross domestic product .

A Brexit trade deal with the EU is "still possible" even though it is "late", the UK's chief negotiator has said.
In a series of tweets, Lord Frost said he was looking forward to welcoming EU negotiator Michel Barnier to London for face-to-face Brexit talks this weekend.
"Some people are asking me why we are still talking. My answer is that it's my job to do my utmost to see if the conditions for a deal exist," he said.
Image: Lord Frost said 'for a deal to be possible it must fully respect UK sovereignty'
"It is late, but a deal is still possible, and I will continue to talk until it's clear that it isn't."
But Lord Frost said "for a deal to be possible it must fully respect UK sovereignty".
He added: "That is not just a word - it has practical consequences.
"That includes: controlling our borders; deciding ourselves on a robust and principled subsidy control system; and controlling our fishing waters.
"We look to reach an agreement on this basis, allowing the new beginning to our relationship with the EU which, for our part, we have always wanted.
"We will continue to work hard to get it - because an agreement on any other basis is not possible."
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Image: The resumption of talks at a senior level comes after one of Michel Barnier's team tested positive for COVID-19
Boris Johnson has said "substantial and important differences" remain between the two sides.
"The likelihood of a deal is very much determined by our friends and partners in the EU - there's a deal there to be done if they want to do it," the prime minister said.
Mr Barnier mirrored this, saying ahead of the discussions that "significant divergences" still remain.
The resumption of talks at a senior level comes after one of the EU negotiators tested positive for COVID-19.
Confidential notes seen by Sky News earlier this month revealed that EU officials think a deal is 95% agreed - but show the extent of anxiety over the potential impact if negotiations break down.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Brexit border delays: Why do they matter?
Britain left the EU at the end of January and entered into an 11-month transition period, following EU rules and regulations whilst trying to negotiate a free trade deal before 31 December.
The two teams have been attempting to thrash out an agreement ahead of that deadline, although negotiations have continued to remain stuck on issues such as so-called "level playing field" commitments and fisheries.
According to Irish broadcaster RTE, Mr Barnier will propose that 15-18% of the value of fish quota that European fleets catch in British waters be restored to the UK, RTE reported on Friday.
If an agreement is not struck, Number 10 has said the UK will end the transition period "on Australia terms" - meaning any trade the UK does with the EU being subject to tariffs and quotas. It would not be a free trade agreement.
The Office for Budget Responsibility said this week that failure to strike a deal could see a 2% hit to gross domestic product.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-28--PM tells Tory MPs tiers 'have a sunset of 3 February' in bid to head off Commons rebellion

Boris Johnson has said the new coronavirus tiers have `` a sunset '' clause - or expiry date - of 3 February , as he tries to fight off a backlash from Tory MPs .
The prime minister has angered some of his party with a plan to impose stringent restrictions across much of England when the national lockdown ends on Wednesday .
In a letter to colleagues ahead of a Commons vote on the restrictions on Tuesday , Mr Johnson insisted the tiered measures for local areas will be reviewed every fortnight .
`` Regulations have a sunset of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` After the fourth fortnightly review ( 27 January ) , parliament will have another vote on the tiered approach , determining whether the measures stay in place until the end of March . ''
Mr Johnson said the first review on 16 December would consider the views of local directors of public health , with a final decision on whether any areas should change tiers made at a cabinet committee .
The changes would then come into effect on 19 December .
In a further olive branch to MPs , the PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what circumstances need to change for an area to move down a tier , as well analysis of the health , economic and social impacts of the measures taken to suppress coronavirus .
Writing in the Mail on Sunday , Mr Johnson warns there will be `` disastrous consequences '' for the NHS without the introduction of new tiered coronavirus restrictions .
He writes : `` We are so nearly out of our captivity .
We can see the sunlit upland pastures ahead .
But if we try to jump the fence now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last barbed wire , with disastrous consequences for the NHS .
`` So let 's do the job properly .
Let 's work together , and with tiering , testing and vaccines let 's make 2021 the year we kick COVID out , take back control of our lives and reclaim all the things we love . ''
According to a tally by Sky News , more than 60 Tory MPs have voiced their unhappiness over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's population will fall under the two toughest tiers when the second national lockdown ends .
About 32 million people - covering 57.3 % of England - will fall into Tier 2 , and 23.3 million people - 41.5 % of the population - are going to be placed in Tier 3 .
Only the Isle of Wight , Cornwall , and the Isles of Scilly will be under the lightest Tier 1 controls , while large swathes of the Midlands , North East and North West are in the most restrictive Tier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will vote against the new tiers next week , including 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady , Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood and Poole MP Sir Robert Syms .
Steve Baker , deputy chairman of the COVID Recovery Group which has been critical of lockdown restrictions , said the `` authoritarianism at work today is truly appalling '' .
`` The government must publish its analysis of the impact interventions are likely to have on controlling COVID , as well as the non-COVID health impact and the impact on society , people 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sir Roger Gale , MP for the Kent constituency of North Thanet , criticised the decision to place all of the county in Tier 3 , telling Sky News he fears people will `` skip over the boundary '' to go to a nearby pub in Tier 2 .
But Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers , urged MPs to think what the NHS might be like in January , saying : `` You need to take the precautions now to ensure that the NHS does n't get overwhelmed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year . ''
Another 479 coronavirus deaths in the UK were announced on Saturday , taking the total to 58,030 .

Boris Johnson has said the new coronavirus tiers have "a sunset" clause - or expiry date - of 3 February, as he tries to fight off a backlash from Tory MPs.
The prime minister has angered some of his party with a plan to impose stringent restrictions across much of England when the national lockdown ends on Wednesday.
In a letter to colleagues ahead of a Commons vote on the restrictions on Tuesday, Mr Johnson insisted the tiered measures for local areas will be reviewed every fortnight.
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world
Image: Boris Johnson has written to Tory MPs ahead of a Commons vote on the tier system
"Regulations have a sunset of 3 February," he wrote.
"After the fourth fortnightly review (27 January), parliament will have another vote on the tiered approach, determining whether the measures stay in place until the end of March."
Mr Johnson said the first review on 16 December would consider the views of local directors of public health, with a final decision on whether any areas should change tiers made at a cabinet committee.
The changes would then come into effect on 19 December.
In a further olive branch to MPs, the PM committed to publish more data and outline what circumstances need to change for an area to move down a tier, as well analysis of the health, economic and social impacts of the measures taken to suppress coronavirus.
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Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Mr Johnson warned there will be "disastrous consequences" for the NHS without the introduction of new tiered coronavirus restrictions.
Image: The PM wrote to all MPs and peers
He wrote: "We are so nearly out of our captivity. We can see the sunlit upland pastures ahead. But if we try to jump the fence now, we will simply tangle ourselves in the last barbed wire, with disastrous consequences for the NHS.
"So let's do the job properly. Let's work together, and with tiering, testing and vaccines let's make 2021 the year we kick COVID out, take back control of our lives and reclaim all the things we love."
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, appearing on Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show, said the new tiered restrictions were necessary to "bear down" on COVID-19.
"The reality is that we want to come out of national lockdown and stay out of it," he said.
"We are starting with a more restrictive approach than previously with the localised approach, but that allows us to ease up when we are confident the virus is going down and stabilised - there's a review every two weeks."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:18 COVID-19: Virus free town enters Tier 2
In another broadcast interview, Mr Raab told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show there was a "risk" of a third wave of coronavirus infections "if we don't get the balance right".
And he refused to rule out a third national lockdown in England if there was another spike in cases in the New Year.
"We're doing everything we can to avoid that," he said.
According to a tally by Sky News, more than 60 Tory MPs have voiced their unhappiness over tiering or have said they are unlikely to support the measures when it comes to the vote.
Some 99% of England's population will fall under the two toughest tiers when the second national lockdown ends.
About 32 million people - covering 57.3% of England - will fall into Tier 2, and 23.3 million people - 41.5% of the population - are going to be placed in Tier 3.
Only the Isle of Wight, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly will be under the lightest Tier 1 controls, while large swathes of the Midlands, North East and North West are in the most restrictive Tier 3.
Several Tories have said they will vote against the new tiers next week, including 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood and Poole MP Sir Robert Syms.
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the COVID Recovery Group which has been critical of lockdown restrictions, said the "authoritarianism at work today is truly appalling".
"The government must publish its analysis of the impact interventions are likely to have on controlling COVID, as well as the non-COVID health impact and the impact on society, people's livelihoods and businesses," he said.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Sir Roger Gale, MP for the Kent constituency of North Thanet, criticised the decision to place all of the county in Tier 3, telling Sky News he fears people will "skip over the boundary" to go to a nearby pub in Tier 2.
But Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, urged MPs to think what the NHS might be like in January, saying: "You need to take the precautions now to ensure that the NHS doesn't get overwhelmed at what is always its busiest time of year."
Another 479 coronavirus deaths in the UK were announced on Saturday, taking the total to 58,030.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-28--Johnson's breezy promise to 'level up' the country now seems a lot trickier

Standing on the steps of Downing Street after winning the 2019 election , Boris Johnson directly addressed the country : `` If you ask yourselves what is this new government going to do , what is he going to do with his extraordinary majority , I will tell you ... we are going to unite and level up . ''
It was less than a year ago that he made his victory speech , but it feels like a lifetime .
`` Levelling up '' was the driving aim behind Boris Johnson 's premiership - but , after the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achievable ?
On this week 's Sophy Ridge on Sunday , we visited Sheffield to investigate .
There 's clearly a huge economic potential across the north of England , exemplified by Sheffield University 's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre which is helping put Britain at the front in the competitive market of precision engineering .
The company exports across the world through Rolls Royce and Siemens , and has hired six additional people since the first lockdown in March .
But - with national debt now standing at a higher level than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressures of Brexit looming by the end of the year - will the green business shoots in the north continue to grow ?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak this week unveiled a £4bn levelling up fund in his spending review , to support towns and cities outside London and the South East .
But while Advanced Manufacturing 's managing director Gareth Morgan says he 's `` enthused and excited '' that levelling up is on the political agenda , he admits `` it 's probably not enough '' money to make a significant difference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the levelling up agenda is not just about the amount of money , it 's about decentralising power from Westminster , with decisions about investments and funding happening locally rather than through central government .
: : Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Henri Murison , of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership , said : `` If you still have power centralised in Whitehall , your levelling up fund is a beauty pageant , projects for parts of the north and Midlands ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's not really trusting people .
`` The problem is even if you 're more generous financially - if you do n't trust people , you do n't give them real power and then I do n't think that really does begin to close the divide between north and south . ''
The Conservative MPs who turned Labour 's `` Red Wall '' blue at the last election will also be keen that the PM sticks to his promise to level up .
Jake Berry - the Conservative MP and former Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50-strong Northern Research Group of Tory MPs in the north of England , Wales and the Scottish borders to call on the prime minister to tackle the north-south divide .
Nick Fletcher - the first-ever Conservative MP for Don Valley - told me that levelling up `` can take many forms '' .
`` People desperately need to feel as though the government cares about the people in the north .
I think they feel as though they 've been left behind for such a long time and everything happens in the south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they feel and there 's definitely a certain amount of truth in that , '' he said .
Back in December , the breezy promise to level up seemed easy .
Now , with the economy crippled by COVID , debt soaring and many of the towns the prime minister promised to help hamstrung under Tier 3 restrictions , the task ahead is far trickier .
It is far from clear whether the end result will be a levelling up or a levelling down .
In his speech on the steps of Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted `` to speak directly to those who made it possible and to all those who voted for us , for the first time , and those whose pencils may have wavered over the ballot and who heard the voices of their parents and their grandparents whispering anxiously in their ears '' .
They lent him their votes at the last election and , unless he fulfils his promise to level up the communities where they live , they may not do so again .
Watch Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab being interviewed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News from 8.30am on Sunday

Standing on the steps of Downing Street after winning the 2019 election, Boris Johnson directly addressed the country: "If you ask yourselves what is this new government going to do, what is he going to do with his extraordinary majority, I will tell you... we are going to unite and level up."
It was less than a year ago that he made his victory speech, but it feels like a lifetime.
"Levelling up" was the driving aim behind Boris Johnson's premiership - but, after the economic battering of coronavirus - is it still achievable?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:20 PM explains high tiers for low infection areas
On this week's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, we visited Sheffield to investigate.
There's clearly a huge economic potential across the north of England, exemplified by Sheffield University's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre which is helping put Britain at the front in the competitive market of precision engineering.
The company exports across the world through Rolls Royce and Siemens, and has hired six additional people since the first lockdown in March.
But - with national debt now standing at a higher level than the entire UK GDP, and the additional pressures of Brexit looming by the end of the year - will the green business shoots in the north continue to grow?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak this week unveiled a £4bn levelling up fund in his spending review, to support towns and cities outside London and the South East.
But while Advanced Manufacturing's managing director Gareth Morgan says he's "enthused and excited" that levelling up is on the political agenda, he admits "it's probably not enough" money to make a significant difference.
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Perhaps even more importantly - for many the levelling up agenda is not just about the amount of money, it's about decentralising power from Westminster, with decisions about investments and funding happening locally rather than through central government.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Henri Murison, of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: "If you still have power centralised in Whitehall, your levelling up fund is a beauty pageant, projects for parts of the north and Midlands... to parade in front of officials - that's not really trusting people.
"The problem is even if you're more generous financially - if you don't trust people, you don't give them real power and then I don't think that really does begin to close the divide between north and south."
The Conservative MPs who turned Labour's "Red Wall" blue at the last election will also be keen that the PM sticks to his promise to level up.
Jake Berry - the Conservative MP and former Northern Powerhouse minister - has set up the 50-strong Northern Research Group of Tory MPs in the north of England, Wales and the Scottish borders to call on the prime minister to tackle the north-south divide.
Nick Fletcher - the first-ever Conservative MP for Don Valley - told me that levelling up "can take many forms".
"People desperately need to feel as though the government cares about the people in the north. I think they feel as though they've been left behind for such a long time and everything happens in the south, or at least that's how they feel and there's definitely a certain amount of truth in that," he said.
Back in December, the breezy promise to level up seemed easy. Now, with the economy crippled by COVID, debt soaring and many of the towns the prime minister promised to help hamstrung under Tier 3 restrictions, the task ahead is far trickier. It is far from clear whether the end result will be a levelling up or a levelling down.
In his speech on the steps of Downing Street, the prime minister said he wanted "to speak directly to those who made it possible and to all those who voted for us, for the first time, and those whose pencils may have wavered over the ballot and who heard the voices of their parents and their grandparents whispering anxiously in their ears".
They lent him their votes at the last election and, unless he fulfils his promise to level up the communities where they live, they may not do so again.
Watch Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab being interviewed on Sophy Ridge On Sunday, on Sky News from 8.30am on Sunday