“Despite our area leading on many of the medical developments in the fight against Covid, we have seen transmission rates rise recently in every part of our city region, leading to a worrying uptick in positive cases. At the same time cases have risen at alarming rates across the rest of the country, threatening to push our NHS to its limits.

“Being placed into Tier 3 today is something that none of us wanted, but I hope that these new measures help to slow down and contain the spread of the virus quickly. We will of course continue to do everything we can here to slow the spread of the virus and save lives and livelihoods.

“These restrictions will have a major impact on the local economy, and I know many people will now be worried about what it means for them. I promise that we will again do all that we can locally to support local businesses and protect jobs, but alongside this it is vital that Government also steps-up and offers financial support to areas in higher Tiers. We need Government assistance to support people until the economy can reopen.

“We have seen throughout the past ten months that restrictions can only suppress the virus for a limited period of time. That’s why I have called on ministers to bring forward plans to rapidly increase the speed of the vaccine rollout, so that we can return to some sort of normality for good at the earliest opportunity. I hope in light of today’s announcements they will now do so.

“While we wait for the vaccine, the best thing you can do now is to continue doing what the vast majority of people have been doing so brilliantly throughout this crisis: following the rules – and keeping each other safe.

“I know after all the hard work and sacrifice that people will be fatigued after 10 months, but our spirit of togetherness has undoubtedly saved lives and livelihoods – and saved our NHS from being overwhelmed. We are once again facing tough weeks, perhaps even months, but together I know we will get through this.”