The whole #Manchester situation has been represented in media appallingly. They, intentionally or not, played to the left wing by presenting the Government as authoritarian Scrooge's while simultaneously playing to the right, representing Andy as playing politics with #COVID. /1
The nuance (which always exists beneath any headline or even article) is a lot less dramatic. Here is what I know, and it is by no means complete so feel free to add to it in the replies. /2
Let's start with the £22m. This is not what the Government have given Manchester in punishment for Andy not taking the £60m. It is an entirely separate funding package and has never been part of the negotiations. /3
The separate negotiations have seemingly stumbled over the difference between £60m Westminster offer and the £65m Andy has asked for. As I understand it, that £60m is still.on the table. /4
The Government are basing the funding package on a crude calculation that is predominantly (or entirely?) Based on population. This is flaw is the fundamental arguement being made by Andy. Greater Manchester has a much higher business density and suffering restrictions longer. /5
The negotiations have not delayed being able to role out more comprehensive testing or track and trace, that being covered by the £22m that was always heading to Greater Manchester. /6
Andy has had to balance the potential of delaying support for businesses with the benefit of negotiating additional funding. How that delay in support propagates into public health risk is something I'm not willing to guess. /7
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