Hartlepool council leader calling on MP to vote against new tiering saying it will have ‘devastating impact’

Cllr Shane Moore, the leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, has written to the town’s Labour MP Mike Hill calling on him to vote against the new tier restrictions when they go before the House of Commons for a vote.

However Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the party’s MPs will be abstaining in the vote on the new restrictions taking place today.

Cllr Moore said the Government needs to come back to the table and work with stakeholders to implement ‘a set of restrictions that will strike a balance between the need to suppress the virus and save our local economy’.

Hartlepool is to be placed in Tier 3 under the new stricter tier system, which is set to be brought in on Wednesday, December 2.

This means it will face the tightest restrictions which include the continued closure of restaurants and bars and a ban on households mixing in all indoor and most outdoor settings.

Cllr Moore, in his letter to Labour MP Mr Hill, noted the hospitality industry has been ‘singled out’ with the latest restrictions.

He said: “The restrictions currently set out in Tier 3 will have a devastating impact for the hundreds of businesses that make up the hospitality sector here in Hartlepool.

“These are businesses that have followed rules and done everything that has been asked of them to operate safely during this pandemic.

“Ultimately the Government must stop using the hospitality sector as a sacrificial lamb or adequately compensate them for being forced to close by an authoritarian Government.”

It comes after people had been encouraged earlier in the year to visit restaurants with the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme.

Cllr Moore added throughout the pandemic Public Health England data has evidenced pubs and restaurants are only responsible for ‘around 3% of transmissions’.

He also noted that ‘there is a clear bias shown to the whole of London’ in setting the tiers.

In his letter to Mr Hill, the Headland and Harbour ward representative added when it comes to voting on the restrictions abstaining is ‘not a credible option’ for the MP.

Cllr Moore said: “This Government must be forced to come back to the table and work with all stakeholders to implement a set of restrictions that will strike the balance between the need to suppress this virus and the need to save our local economy, saving lives by avoiding the wider long-term health implications mass unemployment will bring.

“Abstaining and leaving this injustice to Tory rebels alone is not a credible option as you have a real opportunity to make a stand on behalf of Hartlepool.”

The council leader noted he has had ongoing conversations with Mr Hill in recent weeks where they shared a’ deep concern and frustration’ at the new tier system being drawn up without ‘meaningful dialogue’ with local authorities and sectors impacted.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.