North of England mayors reject support plans for local Covid lockdowns

Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham said government package would mean failure and collapse' for businesses

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Mayors across the north of England have rejected the government's financial package for areas in local lockdown, warning it would cause long-term economic devastation.

Mayors from Greater Manchester and the North of Tyne, Sheffield city and Liverpool city combined authorities are calling on northern MPs to mount a parliamentary challenge against the new lockdown measures, which are expected to be unveiled on Monday.