skynewspolitics--2020-10-16--PM 'concerned' over rising cases in Manchester amid stand-off with local leaders

Boris Johnson has said he is `` concerned '' over the rise in coronavirus cases in the Greater Manchester region , amid a bitter stand-off with local leaders over looming restrictions .
The area could have a Tier 3 lockdown imposed on it if negotiations fail , but the prime minister said he would rather `` work out something '' instead .
`` I am , I have to say , concerned about what 's happening in Manchester where the levels of infection are rising steeply , the level of hospitalisation is rising steeply , and we do need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world '' I 'd much rather not impose things , I 'd much rather that we were able to work out something together with local authorities , with the mayor in Manchester .
`` But it is up to local leaders to show the kind of leadership that we have seen in Liverpool , in Lancashire and in London . ''
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab issued a warning earlier , telling Sky News that ministers have `` the power to proceed '' with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 .
After a furious row blew up with Manchester politicians and Westminster following talks yesterday , Mr Raab said a deal `` ought to be possible '' .
`` We 'd much rather work with the local leaders if possible , '' he told Kay Burley .
But the leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese said there were no more discussions scheduled with the government today .
As Lancashire prepares to move into Tier 3 on Saturday , Mr Raab sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept the same fate .
`` We will keep talking and we 'll keep working , '' he said .
`` Obviously in the last resort the government has the powers to proceed in any event . ''
Mr Raab added the `` right thing '' for the country was to `` avoid a second national lockdown '' in the face of coronavirus cases rising a further 18,980 and deaths by 138 on Thursday .
`` The way to do it is with a tiered approach that we 've advocated , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the scientists tell us , if everyone really leans in and implements it to the maximum . ''
But several politician were unimpressed with Mr Raab 's message on Friday .
Three northern mayors - for Greater Manchester , North Tyne and Liverpool City Region - issued a joint statement claiming the government was trying to paint them as `` divided '' .
`` That is simply not the case , '' they said .
`` We are all united in fighting for an 80 % furlough scheme for all people affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country .
`` Paying two-thirds of salaries will not be enough to protect the jobs of thousands - it should at least match the 80 % that was available under furlough , with the minimum wage as the minimum support . ''
They added the Universal Credit top up `` is not the answer '' as it `` does n't help everybody and takes weeks to come through '' , meaning thousands of low-paid workers will still experience `` severe hardship '' before Christmas .
Labour 's Jim McMahon , MP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less posturing '' from ministers and `` more practical solutions to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent economic harm ... might just work '' .
And John Edmunds , a scientist who sits on the government 's science advisory group known as SAGE , has called for ministers in England to follow the lead of Northern Ireland and impose a `` circuit breaker '' .
Mr Johnson laid out his plans for a three-tier system to suppress a coronavirus second spike on Monday .
In Tier 1 , known as Medium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - meaning people are only allowed social gatherings of up to six people inside or out , with a 10pm curfew for pubs bars and restaurants .
In Tier 2 , people are banned from mixing with others they do n't live with inside , but the Rule of Six still applies outside .
Pubs and restaurants can remain open .
And in Tier 3 , you can not meet anyone you do n't live with inside or out , pubs and bars must close unless they can operate as restaurants and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid non-essential travel and staying overnight in another part of the UK , and local politicians will decide if gyms , betting shops , casinos , hairdressers and beauty salons should close .

Boris Johnson has said he is "concerned" over the rise in coronavirus cases in the Greater Manchester region, amid a bitter stand-off with local leaders over looming restrictions.
The area could have a Tier 3 lockdown imposed on it if negotiations fail, but the prime minister said he would rather "work out something" instead.
"I am, I have to say, concerned about what's happening in Manchester where the levels of infection are rising steeply, the level of hospitalisation is rising steeply, and we do need to see action," Mr Johnson said.
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world
Image: Residents are waiting to hear if they will face more restrictions
"I'd much rather not impose things, I'd much rather that we were able to work out something together with local authorities, with the mayor in Manchester.
"But it is up to local leaders to show the kind of leadership that we have seen in Liverpool, in Lancashire and in London."
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab issued a warning earlier, telling Sky News that ministers have "the power to proceed" with putting the city into England's highest band of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19.
After a furious row blew up with Manchester politicians and Westminster following talks yesterday, Mr Raab said a deal "ought to be possible".
"We'd much rather work with the local leaders if possible," he told Kay Burley.
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But the leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese said there were no more discussions scheduled with the government today.
As Lancashire prepares to move into Tier 3 on Saturday, Mr Raab sought to pile the pressure on Manchester politicians to accept the same fate.
"We will keep talking and we'll keep working," he said.
"Obviously in the last resort the government has the powers to proceed in any event."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:28 Government can impose measure as last resort
Mr Raab added the "right thing" for the country was to "avoid a second national lockdown" in the face of coronavirus cases rising a further 18,980 and deaths by 138 on Thursday.
"The way to do it is with a tiered approach that we've advocated," he said.
"That will only work, the scientists tell us, if everyone really leans in and implements it to the maximum."
Image: Boris Johnson has urged the authorities in Greater Manchester to show leadership
But several politician were unimpressed with Mr Raab's message on Friday.
Three northern mayors - for Greater Manchester, North Tyne and Liverpool City Region - issued a joint statement claiming the government was trying to paint them as "divided".
"That is simply not the case," they said.
"We are all united in fighting for an 80% furlough scheme for all people affected by regional lockdowns, wherever they are in the country.
"Paying two-thirds of salaries will not be enough to protect the jobs of thousands - it should at least match the 80% that was available under furlough, with the minimum wage as the minimum support."
They added the Universal Credit top up "is not the answer" as it "doesn't help everybody and takes weeks to come through", meaning thousands of low-paid workers will still experience "severe hardship" before Christmas.
Labour's Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham, also tweeted that "less posturing" from ministers and "more practical solutions to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent economic harm... might just work".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:04 Burnham: 'We're being set up like canaries in a coal mine'
And John Edmunds, a scientist who sits on the government's science advisory group known as SAGE, has called for ministers in England to follow the lead of Northern Ireland and impose a "circuit breaker".
Mr Johnson laid out his plans for a three-tier system to suppress a coronavirus second spike on Monday.
Image: Lancashire is moving into Tier 3, following the Liverpool City Region
In Tier 1, known as Medium, areas must follow the national restrictions - meaning people are only allowed social gatherings of up to six people inside or out, with a 10pm curfew for pubs bars and restaurants.
In Tier 2, people are banned from mixing with others they don't live with inside, but the Rule of Six still applies outside. Pubs and restaurants can remain open.
And in Tier 3, you cannot meet anyone you don't live with inside or out, pubs and bars must close unless they can operate as restaurants and no wedding receptions are allowed. People should avoid non-essential travel and staying overnight in another part of the UK, and local politicians will decide if gyms, betting shops, casinos, hairdressers and beauty salons should close.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-16--PM warns Manchester leaders he will intervene if they won't agree to Tier 3

Greater Manchester residents will have Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions imposed on them even if local leaders do not agree , Boris Johnson has warned .
Speaking at a news conference from Downing Street , flanked by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance , and government medical adviser Dr Susan Hopkins , the prime minister said : `` If agreement can not be reached , I will need to intervene in order to protect Manchester 's hospitals and save the lives of Manchester residents . ''
He added the situation there was `` grave '' and `` worsens with each passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to avoid more people going into intensive care and dying .
It comes as Lancashire prepares to follow the Liverpool City Region into Tier 3 - the highest level of COVID-19 restrictions in England - from midnight tonight .
Manchester 's leaders have been resisting following suit until a stronger support package to protect workers and businesses is pledged by the government .
In a rebuttal to the prime minister 's remarks , Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and council leaders from across the region said they `` do not believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` At our last meeting with Downing Street officials yesterday morning , we were told they would arrange a further meeting later in the day to provide a response to our requests , '' they said in a joint statement .
`` That did not happen and , despite being on standby all day today , we are still waiting for it to be arranged .
We can assure the prime minister that we are ready to meet at any time to try to agree a way forward . ''
Talks have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no agreement has yet been reached , after acrimony broke out on Thursday .
In a plea to Mr Burnham at the news conference , Mr Johnson asked him to `` reconsider and engage constructively '' as `` time is of the essence '' .
However , Sir Patrick said `` baseline '' Tier 3 measures `` almost certainly are n't enough '' to get infection numbers down .
And asked when asked by Sky 's deputy political editor Sam Coates if people would die as a result of the row between Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` These are horrendously difficult decisions and there are harms on both sides , as it 's been pointed out previously .
`` From a purely epidemiological point of view , it is important to go quite fast on this , it 's important to make sure that you go hard enough to get the R below 1 and the sooner you do that , the sooner you get this under control . ''
The number of people in intensive care beds in Greater Manchester is already 40 % over what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the case rate has risen to 224 per 100,000 among the over 60s , the prime minister said .
`` The national government must reserve the right to step in and do what is necessary , '' Mr Johnson added .
He also laid out plans to distribute and trial rapid testing to `` help stop the virus ' vicious spread '' .
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson earlier branded the changes to the three-tier system unveiled on Monday by Mr Johnson an `` inconsistent mess '' .
Meanwhile , the R rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus passes it on to - has risen slightly from between 1.2-1.5 to 1.3-1.5 this week .
SAGE , the government 's group of scientific advisers , said the estimate was `` reliable '' and there is `` still widespread growth of the epidemic across the country '' .

Greater Manchester residents will have Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions imposed on them even if local leaders do not agree, Boris Johnson has warned.
Speaking at a news conference from Downing Street, flanked by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, and government medical adviser Dr Susan Hopkins, the prime minister said: "If agreement cannot be reached, I will need to intervene in order to protect Manchester's hospitals and save the lives of Manchester residents."
He added the situation there was "grave" and "worsens with each passing day", and that action was needed to avoid more people going into intensive care and dying.
Image: Local leaders are trying to get more support for firms and workers
It comes as Lancashire prepares to follow the Liverpool City Region into Tier 3 - the highest level of COVID-19 restrictions in England - from midnight tonight.
Manchester's leaders have been resisting following suit until a stronger support package to protect workers and businesses is pledged by the government.
In a rebuttal to the prime minister's remarks, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and council leaders from across the region said they "do not believe that the current proposals provide adequate support".
"At our last meeting with Downing Street officials yesterday morning, we were told they would arrange a further meeting later in the day to provide a response to our requests," they said in a joint statement.
"That did not happen and, despite being on standby all day today, we are still waiting for it to be arranged. We can assure the prime minister that we are ready to meet at any time to try to agree a way forward."
Talks have been going on for several days but no agreement has yet been reached, after acrimony broke out on Thursday.
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In a plea to Mr Burnham at the news conference, Mr Johnson asked him to "reconsider and engage constructively" as "time is of the essence".
Image: The PM said he would act to save people's lives
However, Sir Patrick said "baseline" Tier 3 measures "almost certainly aren't enough" to get infection numbers down.
And asked when asked by Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates if people would die as a result of the row between Downing Street and Manchester leaders, he said: "These are horrendously difficult decisions and there are harms on both sides, as it's been pointed out previously.
"From a purely epidemiological point of view, it is important to go quite fast on this, it's important to make sure that you go hard enough to get the R below 1 and the sooner you do that, the sooner you get this under control."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 Will people die as a result of politicians 'squabbling'?
The number of people in intensive care beds in Greater Manchester is already 40% over what it was during the first peak in spring and the case rate has risen to 224 per 100,000 among the over 60s, the prime minister said.
"The national government must reserve the right to step in and do what is necessary," Mr Johnson added.
Image: Sir Patrick said baseline Tier 3 measures 'almost certainly aren't enough'
He also laid out plans to distribute and trial rapid testing to "help stop the virus' vicious spread".
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson earlier branded the changes to the three-tier system unveiled on Monday by Mr Johnson an "inconsistent mess".
Meanwhile, the R rate - the average number of people someone with coronavirus passes it on to - has risen slightly from between 1.2-1.5 to 1.3-1.5 this week.
SAGE, the government's group of scientific advisers, said the estimate was "reliable" and there is "still widespread growth of the epidemic across the country".


skynewspolitics--2020-10-16--Barnier told to stay home after PM says EU 'abandoned free trade Brexit deal'

The UK 's chief Brexit negotiator has told his European counterpart not to come to London on Monday to resolve stalled talks , after the prime minister warned it was time to `` get ready '' to leave without a deal .
David Frost spoke to Michel Barnier after Boris Johnson claimed Brussels had `` abandoned '' the ambition of a free trade deal but insisted `` we always knew there would be changes '' next year once the Brexit transition period ends .
`` There was accordingly no basis for negotiations in London as of Monday , '' a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , they added that Lord Frost agreed to talk with Mr Barnier at some point early next week instead .
Speaking from Downing Street after an EU summit which both sides said was the deadline for hammering out a deal , Mr Johnson said it looked like the country was heading for what he called `` the Australian solution '' .
He suggested he is not completely walking away from negotiations , adding : `` What we 're saying to them is come here , come to us , if there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The UK left the EU on 31 January this year .
After that the country entered a transition period , following many of the same rules meaning there was no change to trade and tariffs or things like freedom of movement .
Negotiators have since been trying to hammer out a trade deal to come into force when that runs out at the end of December .
But Mr Johnson said in a dramatic intervention that `` there does n't seem to be any progress coming from Brussels '' .
He told businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for there to be no free trade deal .
Instead he said the UK 's relationship with the EU could be more like the one Brussels has with Australia , which will mean tariffs being introduced on goods between the UK and the 27 other EU countries .
Mr Johnson urged people to `` embrace '' the plan with `` high hearts '' , vowing the UK will `` prosper mightily '' .
His spokesman later said official talks were `` over '' and there was `` no point '' to discussions scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead .
Ursula von der Leyen , president of the EU Commission , said she would continue to work for a deal - `` but not at any price '' .
`` As planned , our negotiation team will go to London next week to intensify these negotiations , '' she added .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also echoed a similar sentiment , saying : `` As far as the EU is concerned , and as far as I am concerned , we should continue to negotiate . ''
And Charles Michel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fisheries remains a `` very important topic '' in talks and insisted the UK should implement the divorce deal `` in total '' , after Mr Johnson threatened to override it .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker At home , Nicola Sturgeon said she felt `` deeply frustrated and depressed '' by the prospect of a no-trade deal end to the transition while the UK is still dealing with the coronavirus pandemic .
And Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael tweeted : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'no-deal ' in less than nine months suggests utter incompetence from the PM and his government . ''
The pound fell by a cent against the dollar immediately following the prime minister 's statement , but quickly recovered to trade at just under $ 1.29 .
Analysis : EU wo n't be encouraged or upset by PM 's intervention By Adam Parsons , Europe correspondent The EU wo n't exactly see these comments as encouraging , but nor will they be especially upset .
Mr Johnson has left the way clear for talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` come here , come to us '' .
And by happy coincidence , Michel Barnier had already offered to continue negotiations in London next week .
As for the commitment to prepare for an Australian-style deal , by which he means just about no deal at all , EU sources have said to me that they think everyone should have been making those preparations anyway , just in case .
Does this turn up the heat ?
Maybe , although the pressure of the clock is doing that anyway .
The EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made , but nobody is claiming that a deal is around the corner .
The economic damage of COVID-19 is a much bigger problem for many leaders .
Plenty of countries see a Brexit deal as a distraction at a time when they want to spend their time concentrating on how to respond to the resurgent pandemic .
And there is a school of thought among some in Brussels that a period of no-deal might be a good thing , in order to focus minds on a subsequent return to negotiations .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we end up with no-deal , and massive queues of lorries on both sides of the Channel , then everyone might negotiate with a bit more purpose . ''
The mantra here has been `` we want a deal , but not at any cost '' .
There 's not much sign of anyone embracing a fundamental rethink at this point .

The UK's chief Brexit negotiator has told his European counterpart not to come to London on Monday to resolve stalled talks, after the prime minister warned it was time to "get ready" to leave without a deal.
David Frost spoke to Michel Barnier after Boris Johnson claimed Brussels had "abandoned" the ambition of a free trade deal but insisted "we always knew there would be changes" next year once the Brexit transition period ends.
"There was accordingly no basis for negotiations in London as of Monday," a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
However, they added that Lord Frost agreed to talk with Mr Barnier at some point early next week instead.
Speaking from Downing Street after an EU summit which both sides said was the deadline for hammering out a deal, Mr Johnson said it looked like the country was heading for what he called "the Australian solution".
He suggested he is not completely walking away from negotiations, adding: "What we're saying to them is come here, come to us, if there's some fundamental change of approach."
The UK left the EU on 31 January this year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 EU wants deal 'but not at any cost'
After that the country entered a transition period, following many of the same rules meaning there was no change to trade and tariffs or things like freedom of movement.
Negotiators have since been trying to hammer out a trade deal to come into force when that runs out at the end of December.
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But Mr Johnson said in a dramatic intervention that "there doesn't seem to be any progress coming from Brussels".
He told businesses and hauliers to "get ready" for there to be no free trade deal.
Instead he said the UK's relationship with the EU could be more like the one Brussels has with Australia, which will mean tariffs being introduced on goods between the UK and the 27 other EU countries.
Mr Johnson urged people to "embrace" the plan with "high hearts", vowing the UK will "prosper mightily".
His spokesman later said official talks were "over" and there was "no point" to discussions scheduled to take place next week actually going ahead.
Image: Ms von der Leyen said EU negotiators would come to London next week as planned
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission, said she would continue to work for a deal - "but not at any price".
"As planned, our negotiation team will go to London next week to intensify these negotiations," she added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also echoed a similar sentiment, saying: "As far as the EU is concerned, and as far as I am concerned, we should continue to negotiate."
And Charles Michel, head of the EU Council, said fisheries remains a "very important topic" in talks and insisted the UK should implement the divorce deal "in total", after Mr Johnson threatened to override it.
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At home, Nicola Sturgeon said she felt "deeply frustrated and depressed" by the prospect of a no-trade deal end to the transition while the UK is still dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
And Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael tweeted: "To go from 'oven-ready' to 'no-deal' in less than nine months suggests utter incompetence from the PM and his government."
The pound fell by a cent against the dollar immediately following the prime minister's statement, but quickly recovered to trade at just under $1.29.
Analysis: EU won't be encouraged or upset by PM's intervention
By Adam Parsons, Europe correspondent
Image: The transition period runs out at the end of December 2020
The EU won't exactly see these comments as encouraging, but nor will they be especially upset.
Mr Johnson has left the way clear for talks to continue, inviting the EU to "come here, come to us".
And by happy coincidence, Michel Barnier had already offered to continue negotiations in London next week.
As for the commitment to prepare for an Australian-style deal, by which he means just about no deal at all, EU sources have said to me that they think everyone should have been making those preparations anyway, just in case.
Does this turn up the heat? Maybe, although the pressure of the clock is doing that anyway.
The EU does think that slight progress has been made, but nobody is claiming that a deal is around the corner.
The economic damage of COVID-19 is a much bigger problem for many leaders.
Plenty of countries see a Brexit deal as a distraction at a time when they want to spend their time concentrating on how to respond to the resurgent pandemic.
And there is a school of thought among some in Brussels that a period of no-deal might be a good thing, in order to focus minds on a subsequent return to negotiations.
One diplomat said to me: "If we end up with no-deal, and massive queues of lorries on both sides of the Channel, then everyone might negotiate with a bit more purpose."
The mantra here has been "we want a deal, but not at any cost". There's not much sign of anyone embracing a fundamental rethink at this point.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-16--Millions of 15-minute COVID tests being developed for UK, says PM

The UK 's coronavirus testing system - for so long a source of embarrassment for ministers - could get a major boost with millions of new fast turnaround tests , Boris Johnson has said .
The prime minister told a news conference on Friday the country is developing the capacity to manufacture millions of the tests , some of which could give results from saliva samples in just 15 minutes .
Mr Johnson said : `` Scientists and companies in Britain and around the world have been developing new tests which are faster , simpler and cheaper .
`` Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is becoming clear over the past few weeks that some of these new tests are highly effective and can help us save lives and jobs over the winter .
`` We 've already bought millions of these tests , some of which are very simple , meaning you simply need to wipe the swab inside your mouth and can give a result as quickly as in 15 minutes , '' he added .
`` We 've started building the infrastructure for domestic manufacture of these tests , ensuring that Britain has the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Over the next few weeks we will start distributing and trialling these tests across the country , '' he said , adding that some of the fast tests are already being used in hospitals .
They would , he said , help to save lives and prevent the spread of the illness among medical workers , care homes and those working in education .
Test and Trace has been one of the most widely criticised aspects of the government 's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic .
From the start , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being tested , with Health Secretary Matt Hancock promising 100,000 per day by the end of April .
That target was hit , but it emerged some of them were tests that had been posted or delivered to people 's homes in its figures , rather than completed .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In July , Whitehall admitted that there was significant double-counting in early testing statistics , saying the total number of cases in the UK was 30,000 fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of several instances where numbers were taken away from , or added to , published figures .
In its early months , both the testing system and the data produced by it were simply `` not fit for purpose '' , a senior official told Sky News .
Further criticism was aimed at ministers over the Test and Trace mobile phone app , which has had several teething problems .
Initially , the government opted to build its own before scrapping it and following the route taken by countries such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using technology from Apple and Google .
It was eventually launched last month , six months after the UK went into lockdown .
On Thursday , Sky News revealed that the government has been paying a five-person team of management consultants £25,000 a day to work on that part of the system .
Mr Johnson said he had advised that areas of the UK at `` very high '' alert levels should be `` immediately prioritised '' for fast turnaround tests , but warned that a `` cautious '' approach should be taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time we want to use tests to keep open more parts of the economy that have sadly been closed but it is crucial that we make sure such systems work safely , '' he said .
`` I must level with you that it will take time to get this right before many organisations can buy and operate these tests themselves . ''

The UK's coronavirus testing system - for so long a source of embarrassment for ministers - could get a major boost with millions of new fast turnaround tests, Boris Johnson has said.
The prime minister told a news conference on Friday the country is developing the capacity to manufacture millions of the tests, some of which could give results from saliva samples in just 15 minutes.
Mr Johnson said: "Scientists and companies in Britain and around the world have been developing new tests which are faster, simpler and cheaper.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 Will people die as a result of politicians 'squabbling'?
"Though there is work to do, it is becoming clear over the past few weeks that some of these new tests are highly effective and can help us save lives and jobs over the winter.
"We've already bought millions of these tests, some of which are very simple, meaning you simply need to wipe the swab inside your mouth and can give a result as quickly as in 15 minutes," he added.
"We've started building the infrastructure for domestic manufacture of these tests, ensuring that Britain has the ability to produce millions of fast tests here.
"Over the next few weeks we will start distributing and trialling these tests across the country," he said, adding that some of the fast tests are already being used in hospitals.
They would, he said, help to save lives and prevent the spread of the illness among medical workers, care homes and those working in education.
Test and Trace has been one of the most widely criticised aspects of the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:19 'We need more money for Lancashire'
From the start, there was controversy over the numbers of people being tested, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock promising 100,000 per day by the end of April.
That target was hit, but it emerged some of them were tests that had been posted or delivered to people's homes in its figures, rather than completed.
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In July, Whitehall admitted that there was significant double-counting in early testing statistics, saying the total number of cases in the UK was 30,000 fewer than its original data claimed.
That was one of several instances where numbers were taken away from, or added to, published figures.
In its early months, both the testing system and the data produced by it were simply "not fit for purpose", a senior official told Sky News.
Further criticism was aimed at ministers over the Test and Trace mobile phone app, which has had several teething problems.
Initially, the government opted to build its own before scrapping it and following the route taken by countries such as Ireland, Germany, and Italy by using technology from Apple and Google.
It was eventually launched last month, six months after the UK went into lockdown.
On Thursday, Sky News revealed that the government has been paying a five-person team of management consultants £25,000 a day to work on that part of the system.
Mr Johnson said he had advised that areas of the UK at "very high" alert levels should be "immediately prioritised" for fast turnaround tests, but warned that a "cautious" approach should be taken to the new technology.
"In time we want to use tests to keep open more parts of the economy that have sadly been closed but it is crucial that we make sure such systems work safely," he said.
"I must level with you that it will take time to get this right before many organisations can buy and operate these tests themselves."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-17--Liverpool mayor's brother dies after contracting coronavirus

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson says his brother has died after contracting COVID-19 .
Sharing the news on Twitter , he said that despite medical experts ' efforts to save him , his eldest brother died at the Royal Liverpool Hospital on Friday evening after being admitted to intensive care with coronavirus .
`` We want to thank the dedicated staff risking their lives for us , '' he said .
`` Thank you all for your messages of love and support .
Let 's stick together and support each other and win this battle . ''
On Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liverpool to follow the restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus after learning his brother was in hospital , sharing a video posted by the city council .
`` Please watch the video , follow the rules & understand why we all need to fight the enemy # Covid , '' Mr Anderson said .
Due to rising cases of COVID-19 , the city region was the first to be placed in Tier 3 , the strictest category - with pubs and bars closed unless they can serve meals , and indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest rules structure earlier in October .
Ahead of the regulations coming into force , pictures emerged of people ignoring social distancing and partying in the streets - with the mayor saying the images had `` shamed '' the city .
Lancashire became the second area of England to be placed under the toughest restrictions , with measures introduced today , while Downing Street is under pressure to restart talks with political leaders in Greater Manchester as they continue to push back on Tier 3 rules without greater financial support .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branding the tier system a `` shambles '' after Lancashire was allowed to keep its gyms open , even though gyms and leisure centres in Liverpool , Wirral , St Helens , Sefton , Knowsley and Halton were ordered to close .
Tier 2 measures have also been brought in in London , Essex , York , Elmbridge , Barrow-in-Furness , North East Derbyshire , Erewash and Chesterfield , meaning people can no longer mix inside with those from other households , including in pubs and restaurants .
The new controls mean 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England - are living under heightened restrictions .
Some 15,650 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases were recorded in the UK on Friday , alongside 136 deaths .

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson says his brother has died after contracting COVID-19.
Sharing the news on Twitter, he said that despite medical experts' efforts to save him, his eldest brother died at the Royal Liverpool Hospital on Friday evening after being admitted to intensive care with coronavirus.
"We want to thank the dedicated staff risking their lives for us," he said. "Thank you all for your messages of love and support. Let's stick together and support each other and win this battle."
Image: Measures under Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of England's lockdown system
On Friday evening, Mr Anderson had urged people in Liverpool to follow the restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus after learning his brother was in hospital, sharing a video posted by the city council.
"Please watch the video, follow the rules & understand why we all need to fight the enemy #Covid," Mr Anderson said.
Due to rising cases of COVID-19, the city region was the first to be placed in Tier 3, the strictest category - with pubs and bars closed unless they can serve meals, and indoor mixing banned - when Boris Johnson announced the latest rules structure earlier in October.
Ahead of the regulations coming into force, pictures emerged of people ignoring social distancing and partying in the streets - with the mayor saying the images had "shamed" the city.
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Lancashire became the second area of England to be placed under the toughest restrictions, with measures introduced today, while Downing Street is under pressure to restart talks with political leaders in Greater Manchester as they continue to push back on Tier 3 rules without greater financial support.
Mr Anderson joined Liverpool City Region leaders in branding the tier system a "shambles" after Lancashire was allowed to keep its gyms open, even though gyms and leisure centres in Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton, Knowsley and Halton were ordered to close.
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Tier 2 measures have also been brought in in London, Essex, York, Elmbridge, Barrow-in-Furness, North East Derbyshire, Erewash and Chesterfield, meaning people can no longer mix inside with those from other households, including in pubs and restaurants.
The new controls mean 28 million people - more than half of England - are living under heightened restrictions.
Some 15,650 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases were recorded in the UK on Friday, alongside 136 deaths.
Another 16,171 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the UK on Saturday, with 150 more deaths.
The total number of positive cases nationwide now stands at 705,428, according to government figures.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-17--Pressure builds on Greater Manchester after Merseyside gets extra COVID funds

Merseyside has scooped an extra £30m in Tier 3 COVID-19 cash from the government , piling pressure on Greater Manchester 's Andy Burnham to do a deal .
Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram - praised by Boris Johnson during the past week - announced that the new money is to support businesses hit by the lockdown .
It comes on top of £14m already received to support the local Test , Trace and Isolate system and local enforcement efforts , making a total of £44m to compensate for Tier 3 restrictions .
And along with £7m that the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tier 2 status , it means Merseyside has received a total package of £51m in coronavirus cash from the government so far .
`` Once it became clear that Tier 3 restrictions were going to be imposed on our City Region , we held a series of meetings with the government throughout last weekend , with the aim of protecting our NHS and supporting local people and businesses , '' said Mr Rotheram , announcing the latest handout .
`` We have been absolutely clear since we were put into Tier 3 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hold meaningful dialogue to secure vitally needed extra economic support .
`` The result of this is that , today , we have obtained from the government , an additional £30m in funding .
`` This is welcome news for our economy and the thousands of people whose businesses and jobs will now be supported through this very difficult period . ''
Mr Rotheram , former Labour MP for Liverpool Walton , has been praised by Mr Johnson several times in recent weeks , in Prime Minister 's Questions in the Commons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In contrast , after Mr Burnham complained that no new talks with the government had so far been arranged this weekend , Downing Street hit back : `` No .
10 reached out this morning to try to arrange a meeting with the Mayor of Manchester .
`` We will continue to try and reach an agreement on these difficult yet necessary measures to protect the NHS and the people of Manchester . ''
But a defiant Mr Burnham is now calling for parliament to agree a three-point plan for Greater Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 80 % of wages for those whose companies are forced to close under Tier 3 restrictions • 80 % of incomes of self-employed people such as taxi drivers and security workers guaranteed Despite his plea , Mr Burnham has also hit out at Rishi Sunak , declaring in a New Statesman interview : `` I think the problem now is , to a large degree , the chancellor .
`` I think he 's made wrong judgements throughout this .
The Eat Out To Help Out scheme was a poor judgement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The cost of that should have been paying for the furlough now .
The Treasury funded more or less the more gimmicky things , and they have n't funded proper support . ''
In an unusual Tory split , Mr Burnham has also won the backing of Tory MPs from Greater Manchester after he was attacked by 20 Conservative colleagues representing seats under Tier 1 restrictions .
Led by Jerome Mayhew , the MP for Broadland in Norfolk , Mr Burnham 's Tory critics wrote to him , urging : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national lockdown now but urge you to reconsider .
`` It does not make sense to shut down the whole country when the virus is spiking in particular locations .
It is very clear to us - and the people we represent - that the local and regional approach is the right response to the current situation .
`` We urge you to work with the government to get the virus under control in Greater Manchester , so we can all avoid the pain of another national lockdown . ''
But Tory MP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in Greater Manchester , hit back and told his colleagues to `` concern themselves with their own constituencies '' .
`` I would not wish tighter restrictions on their constituents , '' he said .
`` We 're willing to work constructively to improve the situation in Greater Manchester and would ask for the short time and space to do so . ''
And Christian Wakeford , the Tory MP for nearby Bury South , said politicians in the region were `` united in opposing Tier 3 in its current form '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for residents .
`` Interventions from fellow members who do n't understand the situation are neither wanted nor helpful , '' he added .

Merseyside has scooped an extra £30m in Tier 3 COVID-19 cash from the government, piling pressure on Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham to do a deal.
Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram - praised by Boris Johnson during the past week - announced that the new money is to support businesses hit by the lockdown.
It comes on top of £14m already received to support the local Test, Trace and Isolate system and local enforcement efforts, making a total of £44m to compensate for Tier 3 restrictions.
Image: A man wearing a face-mask walks past graffiti in central Manchester
And along with £7m that the city region received when it went in to Tier 2 status, it means Merseyside has received a total package of £51m in coronavirus cash from the government so far.
"Once it became clear that Tier 3 restrictions were going to be imposed on our City Region, we held a series of meetings with the government throughout last weekend, with the aim of protecting our NHS and supporting local people and businesses," said Mr Rotheram, announcing the latest handout.
"We have been absolutely clear since we were put into Tier 3 that we would continue to press the government and hold meaningful dialogue to secure vitally needed extra economic support.
"The result of this is that, today, we have obtained from the government, an additional £30m in funding.
"This is welcome news for our economy and the thousands of people whose businesses and jobs will now be supported through this very difficult period."
Mr Rotheram, former Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, has been praised by Mr Johnson several times in recent weeks, in Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons and in his Downing Street news conferences.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:04 Burnham: 'We're being set up like canaries in a coal mine'
In contrast, after Mr Burnham complained that no new talks with the government had so far been arranged this weekend, Downing Street hit back: "Number 10 reached out this morning to try to arrange a meeting with the Mayor of Manchester.
"We will continue to try and reach an agreement on these difficult yet necessary measures to protect the NHS and the people of Manchester."
But a defiant Mr Burnham is now calling for parliament to agree a three-point plan for Greater Manchester.
He is demanding:
A "fair furlough" of 80% of wages for those whose companies are forced to close under Tier 3 restrictions
80% of incomes of self-employed people such as taxi drivers and security workers guaranteed
A greatly enhanced business support scheme
Despite his plea, Mr Burnham has also hit out at Rishi Sunak, declaring in a New Statesman interview: "I think the problem now is, to a large degree, the chancellor.
"I think he's made wrong judgements throughout this. The Eat Out To Help Out scheme was a poor judgement and the wrong message coming out of lockdown.
"The cost of that should have been paying for the furlough now. The Treasury funded more or less the more gimmicky things, and they haven't funded proper support."
In an unusual Tory split, Mr Burnham has also won the backing of Tory MPs from Greater Manchester after he was attacked by 20 Conservative colleagues representing seats under Tier 1 restrictions.
Led by Jerome Mayhew, the MP for Broadland in Norfolk, Mr Burnham's Tory critics wrote to him, urging: "We know you are calling for a national lockdown now but urge you to reconsider.
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"It does not make sense to shut down the whole country when the virus is spiking in particular locations. It is very clear to us - and the people we represent - that the local and regional approach is the right response to the current situation.
"We urge you to work with the government to get the virus under control in Greater Manchester, so we can all avoid the pain of another national lockdown."
But Tory MP William Wragg, whose Hazel Grove constituency is in Greater Manchester, hit back and told his colleagues to "concern themselves with their own constituencies".
"I would not wish tighter restrictions on their constituents," he said. "We're willing to work constructively to improve the situation in Greater Manchester and would ask for the short time and space to do so."
And Christian Wakeford, the Tory MP for nearby Bury South, said politicians in the region were "united in opposing Tier 3 in its current form" in order to get the best solution for residents.
"Interventions from fellow members who don't understand the situation are neither wanted nor helpful," he added.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-17--Former PM Tony Blair denies breaking COVID rules after trip to US

Tony Blair has denied Tory claims that he breached COVID-19 restrictions by failing to self-isolate for a fortnight after a two-day trip to the US on a private jet .
According to The Sunday Telegraph , the former prime minister was pictured leaving a restaurant in London 's Mayfair 10 days after returning from Washington last month .
The paper claims Mr Blair appealed to Whitehall officials for special dispensation from the COVID-19 rules , but was not issued with the formal exemption letter he would have needed to avoid the 14-day isolation period .
A spokesman for the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited by the US government because of the role he played in the agreement between Israel and the UAE , describing the ceremony as a `` diplomatic conference '' .
He was advised to follow rules on attending international conferences , having travelled to the US for a ceremony at the White House at which Israel signed agreements establishing formal relations with Bahrain and the UAE , his spokesman said .
Mr Blair posed no risk to anyone as he was tested before his departure , on arrival at the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK , his spokesman added .
`` We believe he followed all UK and US government guidelines as advised , '' his spokesman said .
`` He was not refused exemption by the UK government .
`` He was told to follow the guidance on international conferences , which he did ; the US government had cleared the visit because it was for the diplomatic conference at the White House .
`` Mr Blair was tested for COVID before departing the UK , on arrival at the White House , when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested several times since .
All tests have been negative . ''
And a Foreign Office spokesman said : `` The FCDO ( Foreign , Commonwealth and Development Office ) provides travel exemptions to diplomats travelling on business relating to the interests of the UK , representatives of international organisations , and their families and dependants .
Those issued an exemption will not need to self-isolate . ''
But former Tory minister David Jones , a member of the public administration committee select committee of MPs , claimed it was hard to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had been tested `` when we have n't got a testing regime '' .
Mr Jones told The Sunday Telegraph : `` It sets an appalling example to travellers if a former prime minister appears to flout the rules in such a flagrant manner . ''
The international conferences exemption to the quarantine rules applies to diplomats , staff at international bodies such as the UN and formal representatives at international conferences who have been `` granted privileges and immunities '' .
The Telegraph reports that Mr Blair flew to Washington DC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other guests on the South Lawn of the White House , holding a face mask in his hand as he posed for pictures with US political figures including Frank Luntz , the veteran pollster , and Kevin McCarthy , the Republican leader in the House of Representatives .
Mr Luntz told The Sunday Telegraph : `` Tony Blair was a rock star at this event .
People were lining up for photos with him . ''
Mr Blair then returned to the UK on 16 September and the Telegraph claims that 10 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving Harry 's Bar in London 's Mayfair .
Last month , Mr Blair urged the government to bring in mass coronavirus testing at airports and cut quarantine times to five days as an alternative to the blanket 14-day quarantine , saying it would have `` significant benefits both to individuals and the economy '' .
Another 16,171 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the UK on Saturday , with 150 more deaths .
The total number of positive cases nationwide now stands at 705,428 , according to government figures .

Tony Blair has denied Tory claims that he breached COVID-19 restrictions by failing to self-isolate for a fortnight after a two-day trip to the US on a private jet.
According to The Sunday Telegraph, the former prime minister was pictured leaving a restaurant in London's Mayfair 10 days after returning from Washington last month.
The paper claims Mr Blair appealed to Whitehall officials for special dispensation from the COVID-19 rules, but was not issued with the formal exemption letter he would have needed to avoid the 14-day isolation period.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:01 August: Former PM Tony Blair calls for mass COVID-19 testing
A spokesman for the former prime minister told the paper he was invited by the US government because of the role he played in the agreement between Israel and the UAE, describing the ceremony as a "diplomatic conference".
He was advised to follow rules on attending international conferences, having travelled to the US for a ceremony at the White House at which Israel signed agreements establishing formal relations with Bahrain and the UAE, his spokesman said.
Mr Blair posed no risk to anyone as he was tested before his departure, on arrival at the White House, and again several times since returning to the UK, his spokesman added.
"We believe he followed all UK and US government guidelines as advised," his spokesman said. "He was not refused exemption by the UK government.
"He was told to follow the guidance on international conferences, which he did; the US government had cleared the visit because it was for the diplomatic conference at the White House.
"Mr Blair was tested for COVID before departing the UK, on arrival at the White House, when he returned to the UK and has been tested several times since. All tests have been negative."
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And a Foreign Office spokesman said: "The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) provides travel exemptions to diplomats travelling on business relating to the interests of the UK, representatives of international organisations, and their families and dependants. Those issued an exemption will not need to self-isolate."
But former Tory minister David Jones, a member of the public administration committee select committee of MPs, claimed it was hard to see how Mr Blair could rely on claiming he had been tested "when we haven't got a testing regime".
Mr Jones told The Sunday Telegraph: "It sets an appalling example to travellers if a former prime minister appears to flout the rules in such a flagrant manner."
The international conferences exemption to the quarantine rules applies to diplomats, staff at international bodies such as the UN and formal representatives at international conferences who have been "granted privileges and immunities".
The Telegraph reports that Mr Blair flew to Washington DC on 14 September and was pictured with other guests on the South Lawn of the White House, holding a face mask in his hand as he posed for pictures with US political figures including Frank Luntz, the veteran pollster, and Kevin McCarthy, the Republican leader in the House of Representatives.
Image: More and more areas of the UK are being hit with stricter coronavirus measures
Mr Luntz told The Sunday Telegraph: "Tony Blair was a rock star at this event. People were lining up for photos with him."
Mr Blair then returned to the UK on 16 September and the Telegraph claims that 10 days later on 26 September he was seen leaving Harry's Bar in London's Mayfair.
Last month, Mr Blair urged the government to bring in mass coronavirus testing at airports and cut quarantine times to five days as an alternative to the blanket 14-day quarantine, saying it would have "significant benefits both to individuals and the economy".
Another 16,171 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the UK on Saturday, with 150 more deaths.
The total number of positive cases nationwide now stands at 705,428, according to government figures.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-17--Manchester mayor continues war of words with No 10 over Tier 3 measures

The war of words between Greater Manchester 's political leaders and the government over the strictest coronavirus restrictions shows no sign of ending at the moment .
Confusion grew on Saturday as Downing Street said talks had been set up with Andy Burnham - but the Mayor of Manchester 's team said nothing had been arranged .
Political leaders in the region have so far refused to accept being placed under Tier 3 rules , the highest level of coronavirus restrictions , without greater financial support for businesses and residents , even though cases are rising fast .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement on these difficult yet necessary measures to protect the NHS and the people of Manchester , '' Downing Street said in a statement , later saying a call had been planned for Sunday .
However , a spokesman for Mr Burnham said : `` Nothing has yet been arranged . ''
Boris Johnson was also under renewed pressure on Saturday to impose a short national lockdown known as a circuit-breaker , to slow the resurgence of COVID-19 .
Liverpool was the first city to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 controls have also been imposed on London , meaning 28 million people - more than half of England - are now living under heightened regulations .
Despite the confusion over talks in Manchester , the region 's police chief has said officers will enforce the restrictions `` without fear or favour '' .
In an open letter responding to reports the government has not imposed Tier 3 measures on the area over fears police would not enforce them without the mayor 's backing , Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Ian Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Burnham , he is `` operationally independent '' .
Mr Hopkins said in the letter : `` We carry out operational policing without fear or favour and in line with the Police Service 's code of ethics alongside colleagues across the country .
`` It is for local and national politicians to agree the necessary restrictions to keep us all safe .
`` As the chief constable I will then ensure my officers and staff enforce these in a proportionate manner alongside our local authority partners . ''
Mr Hopkins said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor and Home Secretary Priti Patel throughout the pandemic .
`` We are all agreed that there needs to be a proportionate level of enforcement to existing regulations , '' he said , adding he had `` support '' from both in relation to the force 's approach .
The sides have been at loggerheads since ministers announced the area was being placed in Tier 3 .
Mr Burnham accused ministers of using the region as a `` canary in a coalmine '' to test the strictest rules and demanded more cash to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include households not mixing and pubs and bars closing .
Mr Burnham 's stance was supported by the Right Reverend Dr David Walker , Bishop of Manchester , who accused ministers of being blinkered .
He told Sky News : `` We 've seen now over several days , government not really wanting to engage seriously with what the needs of the North West are .
`` We 've got people in Liverpool feeling cheated because they got a worse deal than Lancashire .
We 've got Lancashire feeling bullied into accepting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackpool .
`` Even the scientific advisers are saying they do n't think the Tier 3 proposals are going to work to get the coronavirus down .
`` We 've got something not backed by science , not agreed with local leaders , and it just smacks of a kind of Westminster-based mentality that has little care or little capacity to understand what life in the north of England is like . ''
Boris Johnson tried to increase pressure on Mr Burnham during a Downing Street news conference on Friday , threatening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not accept them .
`` I can not stress enough : time is of the essence , '' the prime minister said .
`` Each day that passes before action is taken means more people will go to hospital , more people will end up in intensive care and tragically more people will die . ''
But the mayor and council leaders across the region responded by insisting they have done `` everything within our power to protect the health of our residents '' .
Mr Burnham has threatened legal action if Tier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without agreement .
Another 16,171 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the UK on Saturday , with 150 more deaths .
The total number of positive cases nationwide now stands at 705,428 , according to government figures .
The pressure on Boris Johnson for a so-called `` circuit breaker '' national lockdown is growing - and not just from the usual suspects of opposition MPs and trade unions , who the prime minister despises in equal measure .
The call for a two-week half term , as part of a circuit breaker lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not persuade the prime minister .
He views the teaching unions with disdain after they opposed schools re-opening in the summer .
Nor will Mr Johnson want to be seen to bow to pressure from Sir Keir Starmer .
Downing Street this week called the Labour leader `` a shameless opportunist playing political games in the middle of a national pandemic '' .
But the PM may be concerned by comments by Jeremy Hunt - former health secretary , chairman of the Health Select Committee and his defeated rival for the Tory crown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings from scientists that a national measure might be needed .
And it 's the scientists , led by the government 's own boffins on Sage , who proposed the circuit breaker back in September , and senior advisers such as Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance , who carry the most clout - and whose pressure on the PM may prove decisive .

The war of words between Greater Manchester's political leaders and the government over the strictest coronavirus restrictions shows no sign of ending at the moment.
Confusion grew on Saturday as Downing Street said talks had been set up with Andy Burnham - but the Mayor of Manchester's team said nothing had been arranged.
Political leaders in the region have so far refused to accept being placed under Tier 3 rules, the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, without greater financial support for businesses and residents, even though cases are rising fast.
"We will continue to try and reach an agreement on these difficult yet necessary measures to protect the NHS and the people of Manchester," Downing Street said in a statement, later saying a call had been planned for Sunday.
However, a spokesman for Mr Burnham said: "Nothing has yet been arranged."
Boris Johnson was also under renewed pressure on Saturday to impose a short national lockdown known as a circuit-breaker, to slow the resurgence of COVID-19.
Liverpool was the first city to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions, with Lancashire following on Saturday. New Tier 2 controls have also been imposed on London, meaning 28 million people - more than half of England - are now living under heightened regulations.
Despite the confusion over talks in Manchester, the region's police chief has said officers will enforce the restrictions "without fear or favour".
In an open letter responding to reports the government has not imposed Tier 3 measures on the area over fears police would not enforce them without the mayor's backing, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Ian Hopkins said that while "accountable" to Mr Burnham, he is "operationally independent".
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Mr Hopkins said in the letter: "We carry out operational policing without fear or favour and in line with the Police Service's code of ethics alongside colleagues across the country.
"It is for local and national politicians to agree the necessary restrictions to keep us all safe.
"As the chief constable I will then ensure my officers and staff enforce these in a proportionate manner alongside our local authority partners."
Mr Hopkins said he has been in contact with both the mayor and Home Secretary Priti Patel throughout the pandemic.
"We are all agreed that there needs to be a proportionate level of enforcement to existing regulations," he said, adding he had "support" from both in relation to the force's approach.
The sides have been at loggerheads since ministers announced the area was being placed in Tier 3.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:04 Burnham: 'We're being set up like canaries in a coal mine'
Mr Burnham accused ministers of using the region as a "canary in a coalmine" to test the strictest rules and demanded more cash to support local businesses.
Tier 3 rules include households not mixing and pubs and bars closing.
Mr Burnham's stance was supported by the Right Reverend Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, who accused ministers of being blinkered.
He told Sky News: "We've seen now over several days, government not really wanting to engage seriously with what the needs of the North West are.
"We've got people in Liverpool feeling cheated because they got a worse deal than Lancashire. We've got Lancashire feeling bullied into accepting a deal that is devastating for towns like Blackpool.
"Even the scientific advisers are saying they don't think the Tier 3 proposals are going to work to get the coronavirus down.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 The Bishop of Manchester told Sky News he thinks the government is failing to meet the needs of the North West.
"We've got something not backed by science, not agreed with local leaders, and it just smacks of a kind of Westminster-based mentality that has little care or little capacity to understand what life in the north of England is like."
Boris Johnson tried to increase pressure on Mr Burnham during a Downing Street news conference on Friday, threatening to impose the measures if local leaders did not accept them.
"I cannot stress enough: time is of the essence," the prime minister said. "Each day that passes before action is taken means more people will go to hospital, more people will end up in intensive care and tragically more people will die."
But the mayor and council leaders across the region responded by insisting they have done "everything within our power to protect the health of our residents".
Mr Burnham has threatened legal action if Tier 3 restrictions are imposed on the city without agreement.
Another 16,171 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the UK on Saturday, with 150 more deaths.
The total number of positive cases nationwide now stands at 705,428, according to government figures.
Analysis: Pressure on Boris Johnson is growing - Jon Craig, chief political correspondent
The pressure on Boris Johnson for a so-called "circuit breaker" national lockdown is growing - and not just from the usual suspects of opposition MPs and trade unions, who the prime minister despises in equal measure.
The call for a two-week half term, as part of a circuit breaker lockdown, from the National Education Union will not persuade the prime minister. He views the teaching unions with disdain after they opposed schools re-opening in the summer.
Nor will Mr Johnson want to be seen to bow to pressure from Sir Keir Starmer. Downing Street this week called the Labour leader "a shameless opportunist playing political games in the middle of a national pandemic".
But the PM may be concerned by comments by Jeremy Hunt - former health secretary, chairman of the Health Select Committee and his defeated rival for the Tory crown - who said he had sympathy for warnings from scientists that a national measure might be needed.
And it's the scientists, led by the government's own boffins on Sage, who proposed the circuit breaker back in September, and senior advisers such as Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, who carry the most clout - and whose pressure on the PM may prove decisive.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-18--Gove accuses Greater Manchester mayor of 'posturing' over COVID rules stand-off

Michael Gove has accused Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham of `` posturing '' and `` political positioning '' in refusing to accept strict new COVID-19 rules .
The government is currently in a stand-off with Mr Burnham over whether his region should be moved into the highest alert level of the new three-tier system for local coronavirus lockdowns .
Before agreeing to tougher Tier 3 restrictions , Mr Burnham has called for greater financial help for firms that would be affected by the move , which would see bars and pubs closed - and likely a number of other businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and around the world Amid an increasingly bitter political row , Mr Gove , the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster , risked further inflaming tensions between ministers and the Greater Manchester mayor .
Asked if the government would impose Tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester even without an agreement , Mr Gove told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme : `` I want to reach an agreement with the political leadership in Greater Manchester .
`` I want them to put aside , for a moment , some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I want them to work with us in order to ensure that we save lives and protect the NHS .
`` An absence of action will mean more people will get infected , and as more people get infected that will place more pressure on the NHS .
`` And the more people , sadly , in intensive care beds in the North West and in Manchester who are suffering from coronavirus , the fewer intensive care beds are there for people with other serious conditions .
`` All of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winter and instead of press conferences and posturing , what we need is action to save people 's lives . ''
Mr Burnham , a former Labour MP , later hit back at Mr Gove and refuted the suggestion he is `` playing politics '' , as he pointed to the fact Greater Manchester was the first part of the country to accept localised COVID-19 restrictions at the end of July .
The mayor revealed he was due to hold a call with Sir Edward Lister , the prime minister 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And he accused Boris Johnson of having exaggerated the severity of COVID-19 infections in Greater Manchester .
`` It 's a serious situation but I do n't think it was the situation that was described by the prime minister on Friday evening , '' he told the BBC 's Andrew Marr Show .
`` I think it was an exaggeration of the position that we 're in .
`` Of course it 's a matter of concern , and we watch the figures very closely indeed , but the figures have been falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , across Greater Manchester up slightly but certainly not doubling every nine days .
`` So let 's be careful here .
I would certainly say this morning let 's step back a bit from a war of words . ''
Mr Burnham has not ruled out a legal challenge against the government if Tier 3 restrictions are imposed without greater financial help for businesses .
`` Anywhere could end up in Tier 3 this winter , in fact I would say places are likely to end up in Tier 3 this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Therefore it 's everyone 's concern that we protect the lowest-paid in our communities and the self-employed who are left with nothing on the government 's current deal . ''
The Greater Manchester mayor also criticised a letter from 20 Conservative MPs , who have called on him to work with the government 's regional approach to COVID-19 restrictions in the hope of avoiding another national lockdown .
`` I 'm not sure a sort of 'we 're alright Jack ' letter from a group of southern Conservative MPs is going to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Kate Green , Labour 's shadow education secretary , told Sophy Ridge that Greater Manchester should go into Tier 3 restrictions , but said her party 's preference would be for a national `` circuit breaker '' lockdown .
`` That will be more effective , more quickly , than this constant patchwork of checking in and then never being able to check out of local restrictions that people do n't understand and where already we can see they are not proving effective , '' she said .

Michael Gove has accused Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham of "posturing" and "political positioning" in refusing to accept strict new COVID-19 rules.
The government is currently in a stand-off with Mr Burnham over whether his region should be moved into the highest alert level of the new three-tier system for local coronavirus lockdowns.
Before agreeing to tougher Tier 3 restrictions, Mr Burnham has called for greater financial help for firms that would be affected by the move, which would see bars and pubs closed - and likely a number of other businesses.
It comes amid claims that Greater Manchester is running out of hospital beds as it struggles with the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
Documents seen by The Guardian suggest that hospitals in Salford, Stockport and Bolton reached maximum capacity on Friday, but an NHS spokesman played down the claims, telling Sky News "it is not unusual" for intensive care wards to be 80 to 85% full.
But they said Nightingale hospitals are on standby to admit patients as part of "escalation plans".
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Image: Measures under Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of England's lockdown system
On Sunday afternoon, Mayor Andy Burnham held a "constructive" call with Sir Edward Lister, the prime minister's chief strategic adviser, the mayor's spokesman said.
Mr Burnham also wrote to Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and other Westminster party leaders to ask for their help in "breaking the impasse and finding a fair resolution".
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He urged them to "establish a cross-party consensus on what constitutes a fair financial framework for people in areas under Tier 3 restrictions".
Mr Burnham called for a "full and fair furlough scheme" covering 80% of wages, or at least the national minimum wage, support for the self-employed, and improved compensation for businesses.
The mayor said the "clear national entitlements" similar to during the country's nationwide lockdown in March were essential to create the "sense of fairness" to ensure compliance with new restrictions.
Amid an increasingly bitter political row, Mr Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, had earlier risked further inflaming tensions between ministers and the Greater Manchester mayor.
Asked if the government would impose Tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester even without an agreement, Mr Gove told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: "I want to reach an agreement with the political leadership in Greater Manchester.
"I want them to put aside, for a moment, some of the political positioning that they've indulged in. And I want them to work with us in order to ensure that we save lives and protect the NHS.
"An absence of action will mean more people will get infected, and as more people get infected that will place more pressure on the NHS.
"And the more people, sadly, in intensive care beds in the North West and in Manchester who are suffering from coronavirus, the fewer intensive care beds are there for people with other serious conditions.
"All of this is happening as we move closer to the winter and instead of press conferences and posturing, what we need is action to save people's lives."
Image: Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is in a stand-off with ministers over tougher COVID rules
Mr Burnham hit back at Mr Gove and refuted the suggestion he is "playing politics", as he pointed to the fact Greater Manchester was the first part of the country to accept localised COVID-19 restrictions at the end of July.
And he accused Boris Johnson of having exaggerated the severity of COVID-19 infections in Greater Manchester.
"It's a serious situation but I don't think it was the situation that was described by the prime minister on Friday evening," Mr Burnham told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.
"I think it was an exaggeration of the position that we're in.
"Of course it's a matter of concern, and we watch the figures very closely indeed, but the figures have been falling in Manchester itself in the last few days, across Greater Manchester up slightly but certainly not doubling every nine days.
"So let's be careful here. I would certainly say this morning let's step back a bit from a war of words."
Mr Burnham, a former Labour MP, has not ruled out a legal challenge against the government if Tier 3 restrictions are imposed without greater financial help for businesses.
"Anywhere could end up in Tier 3 this winter, in fact I would say places are likely to end up in Tier 3 this winter," he added.
"Therefore it's everyone's concern that we protect the lowest-paid in our communities and the self-employed who are left with nothing on the government's current deal."
The Greater Manchester mayor also criticised a letter from 20 Conservative MPs, who have called on him to work with the government's regional approach to COVID-19 restrictions in the hope of avoiding another national lockdown.
"I'm not sure a sort of 'we're alright Jack' letter from a group of southern Conservative MPs is going to cut much ice here," Mr Burnham said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 Will people die as a result of politicians 'squabbling'?
Altrincham and Sale West MP, Sir Graham Brady, who is also the chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, told BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House that Greater Manchester's Labour and Conservative MPs were "pretty united" in opposing Tier 3 restrictions.
Mr Burnham later tweeted to say Mr Gove "needs to pick up the phone to Sir Graham".
Kate Green, Labour's shadow education secretary, told Sophy Ridge that Greater Manchester should go into Tier 3 restrictions, but said her party's preference would be for a national "circuit breaker" lockdown.
"That will be more effective, more quickly, than this constant patchwork of checking in and then never being able to check out of local restrictions that people don't understand and where already we can see they are not proving effective," she said.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-18--Still not too late for a circuit breaker lockdown, SAGE scientist says

Now is the `` second best time '' for a national circuit breaker lockdown but September would have been better , a scientific adviser to the government has told Sky News .
Sir Jeremy Farrar , a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , urged ministers to introduce nationalised COVID-19 restrictions in order to `` reset '' increasing infection rates .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under pressure from Labour to abandon his three-tier approach to localised measures in favour of a two or three week circuit breaker lockdown .
Live coronavirus updates from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Sir Keir Starmer called for the action after it emerged SAGE last month put a short period of lockdown at the top of a list of measures to be considered for `` immediate introduction '' .
Sir Jeremy said it was `` never too late '' for such action , although a month ago would have been the `` best time '' for another national lockdown .
`` In my view the best time to do this would have been around 20 September as SAGE advised , that was n't decided upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show .
`` The second best time to do this is now , and the worst time to do this is at the end of November when things would have really got considerably worse .
`` So it 's never too late , it 's better to do it now than in a month 's time .
Yes , I believe it would have been better to do it three or four weeks ago . ''
SAGE has been making recommendations to ministers throughout the COVID-19 crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic considerations were not `` separate '' issues .
He said a circuit breaker was `` the best way of reducing transmission and getting the country back to where we were , perhaps at the beginning of September '' .
Sir Jeremy , director of the Wellcome Trust medical research foundation , added : `` We need to reduce transmission now and we need to get ourselves back , reset it at the beginning of September , as a country , not in piecemeal , not in fragments across the country , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission is going up across the whole country - it 's worse in some parts , but there is no part of Britain now where R is not above one . ''
However , asked if the government would be introducing a circuit breaker lockdown , senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove told Sophy Ridge On Sunday : `` No . ''
Pressed on whether he was ruling out the government ever imposing such action , Mr Gove replied : `` We have always looked at how the disease spreads and we 'll take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health . ''
He added : `` The spread and the nature of the disease does not merit that approach at the moment and it would seem to me to be wrong to impose restrictions on the economic and personal life of individuals in parts of the country where the disease is not spreading so intensively . ''
Labour 's shadow education secretary Kate Green said a two or three week circuit breaker would allow the country time to reverse the spread of infections , improve testing and contact-tracing , and give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she admitted she could not guarantee a new national lockdown would only last two or three weeks .
`` Nobody can guarantee what is going to happen in what are the most uncertain and unpredictable circumstances , '' she told Sophy Ridge .

Now is the "second best time" for a national circuit breaker lockdown but September would have been better, a scientific adviser to the government has told Sky News.
Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), urged ministers to introduce nationalised COVID-19 restrictions in order to "reset" increasing infection rates.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under pressure from Labour to abandon his three-tier approach to localised measures in favour of a two or three week circuit breaker lockdown.
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world
Image: SAGE has been making recommendations to ministers throughout the COVID-19 crisis
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for the action after it emerged SAGE last month put a short period of lockdown at the top of a list of measures to be considered for "immediate introduction".
Sir Jeremy said it was "never too late" for such action, although a month ago would have been the "best time" for another national lockdown.
"In my view the best time to do this would have been around 20 September as SAGE advised, that wasn't decided upon then," he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show.
"The second best time to do this is now, and the worst time to do this is at the end of November when things would have really got considerably worse.
"So it's never too late, it's better to do it now than in a month's time. Yes, I believe it would have been better to do it three or four weeks ago."
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SAGE has been making recommendations to ministers throughout the COVID-19 crisis and Sir Jeremy suggested both public health and economic considerations were not "separate" issues.
He said a circuit breaker was "the best way of reducing transmission and getting the country back to where we were, perhaps at the beginning of September".
Sir Jeremy, director of the Wellcome Trust medical research foundation, added: "We need to reduce transmission now and we need to get ourselves back, reset it at the beginning of September, as a country, not in piecemeal, not in fragments across the country, but as a whole country.
"Because transmission is going up across the whole country - it's worse in some parts, but there is no part of Britain now where R is not above one."
However, asked if the government would be introducing a circuit breaker lockdown, senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove told Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "No."
Pressed on whether he was ruling out the government ever imposing such action, Mr Gove replied: "We have always looked at how the disease spreads and we'll take whatever steps are necessary to maintain public health."
He added: "The spread and the nature of the disease does not merit that approach at the moment and it would seem to me to be wrong to impose restrictions on the economic and personal life of individuals in parts of the country where the disease is not spreading so intensively."
Labour's shadow education secretary Kate Green said a two or three week circuit breaker would allow the country time to reverse the spread of infections, improve testing and contact-tracing, and give the NHS "breathing space".
However, she admitted she could not guarantee a new national lockdown would only last two or three weeks.
"Nobody can guarantee what is going to happen in what are the most uncertain and unpredictable circumstances," she told Sophy Ridge.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-18--Less than 50% chance of post-Brexit trade deal with EU, says Gove

There is a less than 50 % chance of the UK striking a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU , a senior Cabinet minister has told Sky News .
Michael Gove , the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster , told the bloc 's chief negotiator Michael Barnier that `` the ball is in his court '' as to whether negotiations resume in the coming days .
He blamed a possible collapse in talks on `` the position that 's been taken in the last couple of weeks '' by EU leaders .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a free trade deal '' .
And the UK 's chief negotiator , Lord Frost , told Mr Barnier not to bother travelling to London on Monday - as he had intended - as there was `` no basis '' on which to continue negotiations .
However , the pair are expected to hold virtual talks on Monday after which a decision will be made regarding the rest of the week .
The dramatic bust-up between both sides follows Thursday 's European Council summit , at which the EU 's national leaders were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` intensify '' trade talks .
They also called on the UK to `` make the necessary moves '' for a post-Brexit deal - which Lord Frost interpreted as a demand for him to make all future moves in an effort to reach an agreement .
Earlier this month , Mr Gove claimed there was around a 66 % chance of EU-UK negotiations succeeding .
But he told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show that there was now a lesser chance of a deal and , asked if it was now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Well , I think it 's less .
`` I ca n't be precise but one of the reasons why it 's less is the position that 's been taken in the last couple of weeks by EU leaders .
`` What we have seen and what our negotiators have found is that the EU side have not been willing to produce the detailed legal text , they have not been willing to intensify the talks in a way that would indicate that they were acting seriously about reaching an agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we accept a level of control over our autonomy that an independent country ca n't really accept .
`` And , at the same time , they are saying we should continue to have exactly the same access to , for example , our fishing waters and our fishing stocks as before .
`` So that seems to me to be the behaviour of an organisation and an institution that is not serious about looking at compromises necessary to secure a deal .
`` But I still hope we will get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Asked if future negotiations with Mr Barnier would still take place , Mr Gove said : `` Well , the ball is in his court .
`` We 've made clear that we need to see a change in approach from the EU .
I know that he will be calling David Frost over the course of the next few days .
`` Let 's see if the EU appreciates the importance of reaching a deal and the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially left the EU on 31 January and entered the Brexit transition period , which will end on 31 December .
If there is no agreement on a future EU-UK relationship prior to that date , the two sides are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules with tariffs imposed in both directions .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said a post-Brexit trade deal was needed `` in the national interest '' .
`` I think it is very important that the remaining issues are negotiated , and we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Politics Wales show .
`` We need to , the clock is ticking .
We need this agreement in the national interest .
`` The prime minister said he had an oven-ready deal .
He should get on and deliver that . ''

There is a less than 50% chance of the UK striking a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, a senior Cabinet minister has told Sky News.
Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told the bloc's chief negotiator Michael Barnier that "the ball is in his court" as to whether negotiations resume in the coming days.
He blamed a possible collapse in talks on "the position that's been taken in the last couple of weeks" by EU leaders.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 PM's no-deal Brexit warning
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday claimed Brussels had "abandoned the idea of a free trade deal".
And the UK's chief negotiator, Lord Frost, told Mr Barnier not to bother travelling to London on Monday - as he had intended - as there was "no basis" on which to continue negotiations.
However, the pair are expected to hold virtual talks on Monday after which a decision will be made regarding the rest of the week.
The dramatic bust-up between both sides follows Thursday's European Council summit, at which the EU's national leaders were accused of watering down a commitment to "intensify" trade talks.
They also called on the UK to "make the necessary moves" for a post-Brexit deal - which Lord Frost interpreted as a demand for him to make all future moves in an effort to reach an agreement.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 21:59 Sophy Ridge On Sunday highlights
Earlier this month, Mr Gove claimed there was around a 66% chance of EU-UK negotiations succeeding.
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But he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show that there was now a lesser chance of a deal and, asked if it was now less that 50%, he replied: "Well, I think it's less.
"I can't be precise but one of the reasons why it's less is the position that's been taken in the last couple of weeks by EU leaders.
"What we have seen and what our negotiators have found is that the EU side have not been willing to produce the detailed legal text, they have not been willing to intensify the talks in a way that would indicate that they were acting seriously about reaching an agreement.
"They have also insisted both that we accept a level of control over our autonomy that an independent country can't really accept.
"And, at the same time, they are saying we should continue to have exactly the same access to, for example, our fishing waters and our fishing stocks as before.
"So that seems to me to be the behaviour of an organisation and an institution that is not serious about looking at compromises necessary to secure a deal.
"But I still hope we will get a deal through."
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Asked if future negotiations with Mr Barnier would still take place, Mr Gove said: "Well, the ball is in his court.
"We've made clear that we need to see a change in approach from the EU. I know that he will be calling David Frost over the course of the next few days.
"Let's see if the EU appreciates the importance of reaching a deal and the importance of moving ground."
The UK officially left the EU on 31 January and entered the Brexit transition period, which will end on 31 December.
If there is no agreement on a future EU-UK relationship prior to that date, the two sides are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules with tariffs imposed in both directions.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said a post-Brexit trade deal was needed "in the national interest".
"I think it is very important that the remaining issues are negotiated, and we get an agreement, he told the BBC's Politics Wales show.
"We need to, the clock is ticking. We need this agreement in the national interest.
"The prime minister said he had an oven-ready deal. He should get on and deliver that."