Nottinghamshire MPs demand a 'clear roadmap' out of coronavirus lockdown

A letter from the Northern Research Group - a newly-formed team of Tory MPs - outlines the group's demands, which include a tailored economic recovery plan for the north of the country at what they describe as a ‘critical moment’ for the economy.

It was signed by both Mansfield MP Ben Bradley and Ashfield’s Lee Anderson and states that the MPs collectively shared concerns that the “cost of COVID could be paid for by the downgrading of the levelling-up agenda’, and that northern constituencies will be “left behind”.

Mr Bradley said: “The Midlands and the North will have seen the most significant disruption from lockdowns over recent months, which will only make the already significant inequalities worse.

"So, as a group, we want to ensure that there is a focused economic strategy for our part of the world, including boosting infrastructure projects, delivering town deals and really focusing on towns like Mansfield.

“We want to support the Prime Minister's 'levelling up' agenda and make sure that it forms a core part of the recovery plans, of the upcoming spending review, and of the wider priorities for the future.”

The MPs go on to request a ‘clear roadmap’ down the tiering system and out of lockdown, along with a ‘Northern Economic Recovery Plan’ to focus on creating employment opportunities for those areas hit hardest by the pandemic.

Sent to the Prime Minister on October 26, the letter urged him to ‘reflect carefully on our promise’ to those living in the North and to ‘make our region central to the country’s economic recovery’.

It also follows on from the announcement that the government will be boosting local councils with additional funding, with both Mansfield and Ashfield district councils set to receive more than £2 million each of the £1 billion pledged by the government to aid recovery plans, while Nottinghamshire County Council is set to receive a £47 million boost according to government figures.

With the welcome news that Mansfield and Ashfield would not be plunged into Tier 3 restrictions alongside Nottingham city centre, with only Gedling, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe having to abide by the stricter restrictions, local businesses will now be looking to residents to follow the rules to avoid transmission rates increasing further, to avoid a need for tighter restrictions and protect jobs in the area.

A move to Tier 3 would mean pubs who do not serve ‘substantial meals’ would have to close, and households would only be able to mix in groups of up to six in public spaces, which would mean those businesses who have created additional outside seating areas to abide by Tier 2 restrictions would be unable to take small group bookings.

Shortly after it was confirmed that South Yorkshire would be moving into Tier 3, Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis questioned whether the Government still intended to address inequality by “levelling up.”

Speaking at last week’s Great Northern Conference, Mr Jarvis said he believed the country was on course to be “levelled down" instead.

These Mansfield and Ashfield businesses are providing free meals for children

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