Economy chief fears years of progress could 'go up in smoke' without more money for Tier Three restrictions

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

hereIdeally, Coun Meller wants to see a return of the 80pc furlough scheme that was introduced when the country went into full lockdown at the end of March.At present, the government seems unwilling to budge from its position of a reduced, two-thirds furlough to accompany Tier Three restrictions in Greater Manchester and elsewhere.Coun Meller says this is not acceptable. “What we have got on the table is two-thirds, but two-thirds of not much isn’t much when you work in the hospitality sector.

For me, we need more on top of that two-thirds,” he said.“80pc is where I would like to be. Whether we get to that point by 12 noon, I don’t know - but we certainly need more than two-thirds."The revelation that Greater Manchester was being offered.