Why is Liverpool being placed in the top tier of Covid-19 restrictions while Manchester and Nottingham are not?
The confusing answer to this simple question illustrates how political and practical realities are complicating the government’s desire to use its tiered system to bring clarity to the patchwork of restrictions. Decisions on local lockdowns have so far been made in Whitehall “gold” meetings, guided by advice from the chief medical officer and local directors of public health but essentially at the discretion of Matt Hancock, the health secretary.
Throughout the summer ministers resisted repeated demands to spell out the criteria for these decisions. That has led to accusations that wealthier areas represented by cabinet ministers are avoiding restrictions placed on poorer areas with similar infection
