Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake says 'North Yorkshire likely to be in a higher tier by New Year's Day'

Posting on his social media accounts, Kevin Hollinrake confirmed he had attended a virtual meeting of the weekly North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum alongside councils, the NHS, North Yorkshire Police and fellow MPs.

Forum members discussed rising Covid-19 cases and although there was support for arguing to keep some rural areas in Tier 2, Mr Hollinrake has accepted that a Tier 3 or 4 announcement for North Yorkshire is imminent.

He said: "There is no doubt that rates are climbing significantly and North Yorkshire rates are at similar levels to areas that were put into Tier 3. I am still arguing for a super local approach to keep some districts in Tier 2, but regrettably, I think we can reasonably expect York and North Yorkshire to enter a higher tier in the next few days, my best guess being the early hours of New Year's Day.

"In terms of which tier, it appears that infection rates are not dropping significantly in those areas currently under Tier 3 restrictions. My view then, and I speak as the parent of a child taking their A Levels this year, is that I would prefer a shorter, sharper, shock with wider closure of the economy together with extended financial support for businesses and with schools providing a full timetable on an online-only basis until the end of January.

"At that point, with vaccinations starting to have a meaningful effect we should be through the worst of this desperately damaging crisis. As ever, I am interested in your views on this."