Calls for clear guidelines on how South Yorkshire can move out of coronavirus restrictions

Speaking in the Commons health minister Edward Argar said today that action had to be taken in order to stop the spread of the virus in South Yorkshire.

And while politicians agreed the measures had to be taken, they were frustrated by the lack of guidance on what needed to be done for them to be lifted again.

Don Valley Tory MP Nick Fletcher said businesses and employees are “worried about the future”, adding: “Can he confirm to the people of Doncaster that if they play their part they will be able to move down to Tier 2 independent of Sheffield City region?”

While Penistone and Stockbridge’s Miriam Cates, another Conservative MP elected in December, said: “I appreciate that the minister can't give exact metrics about what's going to be used to determine whether or not we come out of this, but I think it's very important for my constituents in Penistone and Stocksbridge that we do know what we're aiming for.”

Mr Argar replied: “The 28-day period is the sunset point at which these fall unless renewed or altered, there are actually reviews within 14 days, the secretary of state continues to monitor data and so will be reviewing progress at more frequent intervals.”

Sheffield Labour MPs Olivia Blake and Paul Blomfield both called for further financial support for South Yorkshire.

And Conservative former health minister Steve Brine said: “Surely people in South Yorkshire and elsewhere need to know where they're at and be confident the goalposts will won't move.”

Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson added: “Can I press the minister once again, on the criteria that he has agreed with the mayor of Sheffield city region for South Yorkshire going into Tier 3 and the criteria to come out? And will those same criteria be applied to other Tier 2 areas such as London, York, Essex and parts of the Midlands? Or will they all be subject to a series of negotiations at a local level behind closed doors?”

Mr Argar said: “Areas in Tier 3 or in Tier 2 will remain in those areas as long as is necessary to protect the health of the local people and the NHS in that region.”

He said the issues looked at would include “infection rates per 100,000, the impact on the NHS of hospital capacity, and how full they are, and hospitalisation rates, as well as, of course, relying and listening to local knowledge from local public health officials”.