High Peak MP backs calls for 'road map' out of northern local lockdowns

The MP co-signed a letter by Rossendale and Darwin MP Jake Berry asking for ‘clarity’ over how local areas move down the tier system.

At present only the Glossopdale area of High Peak is in Tier 2, high alert lockdown - meaning households are banned from mixing indoors in any setting.

However High Peak MP Robert warned although confirmed cases in the rest of the borough were ‘significantly lower’ than Glossopdale ‘if cases start rising the rest of High Peak will go into Tier 2’.

Since part of the High Peak was placed in the higher tier lockdown the High Peak MP has joined calls by Mr Berry for guidance on moving down the tiering system and out of lockdown.

In the letter the MP writes: “Disproportionately, restrictions are affecting people in the north far greater than they are in the south.

“We believe that providing greater clarity about how local areas move down the tiering system and reopen economies would be of benefit to both local people and businesses in our region.”

The MP added that he and other cosignatories shared concerns that the cost of Covid could be paid for at the expense of the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda.

PM Boris Johnson promised early on in his leadership to improve or ‘level up’ northern economies with those in the south by, for example, improving infrastructure.

However the Rossendale MP wrote how infrastructure in the north was ‘insufficient’ and a ‘barrier to...economic potential and growth’.

His letter reads: “We believe a significant reprofiling of government infrastructure commitments, as set out in our manifesto, would be beneficial.

“We believe now is the right time to reaffirm our commitment to people living in the north with a Northern Economic Recovery Plan, working on a regional basis to create employment opportunities and growth.

“Our constituents have been some of the worst affected by Covid, with many losing jobs and businesses.

“We urge you to reflect carefully on the promise made to people living in the north during the Iast election with the levelling-up agenda and make our region central to the country's economic recovery.”

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