Leaders in Nottingham and the surrounding boroughs have expressed anger at the confusion surrounding the area being moved into Tier 3.
An announcement of the exact details was expected to be announced by the Government yesterday, before the changes came into effect at one minute past midnight tomorrow (Thursday, October 29)
But that announcement never came, and late in the evening news emerged that the Government was looking again at which districts would see changes.
Now, it is understood other North Nottinghamshire councils are also being included, and talks have begun this morning with the leaders from those areas.
It is not known how long it will take for the Government to come to an agreement with those councils, meaning the start of Tier 3 could have to be delayed.
Now, the leader of Nottingham City Council has called the delay ‘unacceptable’, and one of Nottingham’s MPs has said the Government is treating the city ‘with contempt’.
Lilian Greenwood is the Labour MP for Nottingham South.
She said: “Earlier this week I described the Government’s communications with Notts’ MPs and Councils as woeful. But in the last 24 hours things have gone from bad to worse.
“The public are confused and the lack of proper explanations about what’s happening and why is already undermining trust in the strategy.
“Businesses can’t plan ahead and all the while we’re seeing more people admitted to hospital with Covid and now operations being cancelled.
“The Government’s failure to act and act promptly is shocking. They’re treating Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with contempt and yet there’s a deafening silence from local Tory MPs.
Shadow Public Health Minister and Nottingham North MP Alex Norris said: “Once again restrictions and support to protect Nottingham’s health and economy are delayed because it doesn’t suit the government’s timetable.
“Once again we find these things out in the media. They need to get a grip.”
In a statement, Councillor David Mellen, the leader of Nottingham City Council said: “Unacceptable delay in Government confirmation of Nottingham’s Tier 3 details.
“Nottingham people and businesses deserve clarity in difficult times. This is not good enough for our city.”
