East Riding ignored by Matt Hancock over Tiers – Yorkshire Post Letters

IT is perhaps indicative of the contempt in which this Government holds the North that, in first releasing the list of upcoming local restriction tiers, Matt Hancock’s tottering Department of Health neglected even to include the East Riding of Yorkshire. Reference, instead, was made to something by the name of ‘The Humber’, which has been placed into Tier 3. To the best of my knowledge, the Humber is a tidal estuary. Beyond that body of water, it has no meaning, either in local government or common parlance.

I have seen it suggested that these designations were made on the basis of NHS Trust areas, but as the Humber NHS Trust covers areas of North Yorkshire like Whitby and Scarborough, this cannot be the case.

Nor, even, can “The Humber” refer to the unlamented, short-lived Humberside – abolished in 1996 – as our neighbours in Lincolnshire fall into Tier 2.

Tier 3 is tough luck for the assorted fish and crustacea of the Humber, but where does this leave the East Riding?

The East Riding of Yorkshire has existed for over a thousand years. After all this time, one might have thought that the Tory Government would have noticed us – but to them, of course, the North is little more than an amorphous blob. We must take whatever measures are necessary to halt the spread of this virus – even in the face of government incompetence. But is it too much to ask that, whilst restricting our liberties and closing our businesses, the Tories might have the common courtesy to recognise our existence?

From: Bridget Duncan, Pontefract.

IT would seem that Matt Hancock, and others, are determined that the North is placed in, and remains in, the highest tier.

Where is the much-needed positive and supportive statement on the lines of ‘Well done, your efforts are clearly showing a good effect. This is a great start, now we need to keep up the resolve as we aim to reduce the rates of infection and R number still further, and maintain the lower levels prior to the fortnightly review dates that start on December 16. Hopefully this will lead to a reduction in the tier level of these areas’ – or words to that effect. Does this all powerful, frequently over promising and under delivering, Secretary of State have any real idea of how many areas, especially in the North, have struggled with enhanced restrictions over a much longer period of time than during ‘lockdown 2’?

Where is his empathy, capacity for encouragement, bolstering of morale and resolve, thus leading to more willing compliance with the demands being made? Very sadly lacking it would seem. I suggest a change of tone and more positivity is needed – now.

From: Julian Sturdy, Conservative MP for York Outer.

AFTER long and careful thought, I very reluctantly decided to vote for the new tiers system.

I am painfully aware of the social and economic harm that the continued restrictions are doing, and am voting on the explicit basis of clear commitments I have been given after a lengthy conversation with the Chancellor, as well as hearing from the Prime Minister.

I have been assured that within weeks the system will be revised to create more localised tiers based on council areas, which should allow York to move to a tier position more consistent with its lower virus rate.

I am taking them at their word on this, and if we do not get significant changes to the system to get York into Tier 1, I have put Ministers on notice that I will vote against any extension of this system.

To be frank, the easy option would have been to vote against, in the knowledge that the measures would still go through, and then the Government would not need to work to retain my support for the next stage. I believe by giving the Government the benefit of the doubt now, I am making the better decision for our community by ensuring I retain leverage over the Government at the next stage.

From: Pete Massey, Director Yorkshire, Arts Council England.

YOU raise the plight of music venues in the wake of the pandemic (The Yorkshire Post, December 1). Over the last few months we have worked tirelessly with the Government to put in place as much support as possible to help the whole of the cultural sector through the crisis. The Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund is the largest investment into arts, culture and heritage that this country has ever seen. To date, the Arts Council has awarded £427m through the Fund to over 2,000 organisations of various types and sizes across the country. This includes £36.7m to 175 organisations in Yorkshire, among which are numerous music venues, such as The Brudenell in Leeds, The Leadmill in Sheffield and Hebden Bridge Trades Club, to name just a few.

As significant and welcome as the Culture Recovery Fund is, it rightly had tight criteria set by Treasury, and the scale of the current crisis is such that it was not able to support everyone. We will continue to do everything we can to help them survive.

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