Just had the misfortune to see @RobertJenrick's interview on the BBC. 1/12
The rhetoric goes like this: We are at a moment of maximum danger. We have hard choices to make. We will work closely with local leaders. And, wait for it, we have devised a new framework. 2/
This new 3 tier framework (with the country divided into 'medium', 'high' and 'very high') has been getting lots of attention. But, it has not been properly scrutinised. 3/
People (like me) have been asking questions about it since the first plans started to emerge in the media last week. See
https://twitter.com/syrpis/status/13142430064013352964/
Well, now we know some things. The new rules, which emerged last night, are discussed in some detail here... and come before Parliament today.
https://twitter.com/syrpis/status/13142430064013352965/
In short, in tier 1 (medium) it is essentially the current rules. Rule of six, 10pm curfew... the restrictions which have (not) been sending the virus into such a sharp retreat. 6/
In tier 2 (high), the restrictions are essentially what they have been in those areas (Manchester, Newcastle etc) which have been subject to special measures over the last weeks... ie the restrictions which have (not) been sending the virus into such a sharp retreat. 7/
In tier 3 (very high), stricter restrictions still are agreed, via an opaque process of dialogue/blame-shifting between central and local Govt. The level of tier 3 restrictions can be tailored to local needs. 8/
Literally the only changes are that a handful of new places have tier 2 type restrictions, and *only Liverpool* has stricter tier 3 restrictions. 9/
We have (unless I've missed it...) had no information on what might cause movement from tier 1 to tier 2. We know little about the discussions between central and local Govt on movement from tier 2 to tier 3, or on the extent of tier 3 restrictions. What criteria do they use? 10/
There's also confusion about the extent of support to businesses and workers - does the Chancellor's new package of support extend to all those not able to operate 'normally', or only to those whose workplaces have been told to close? 11/
All in all, it is an abject effort.
The crisis/tipping point rhetoric masks the fact that precious little has been done. The measures do not provide clarity.
And, as the CMO himself said yesterday) they are unlikely, in an of themselves, to be effective. 12/12
The crisis/tipping point rhetoric masks the fact that precious little has been done. The measures do not provide clarity.
And, as the CMO himself said yesterday) they are unlikely, in an of themselves, to be effective. 12/12
PS Sorry: I linked to the wrong thread above (at tweet 5). The new restrictions are discussed here by @AdamWagner1
https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1315700765495881732
PS 2: This is a useful map. There's a lot of tier 1...
https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1315735349595959296
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