Blackpool leaders urge Government review of Tier system, say resort is held back by other parts of Lancashire

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, and Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, have shared their disappointment at the Government's decision to keep Blackpool in Tier 3 until at least early January.

Blackpool's rate of infection is currently lower than much of Lancashire, and lower even than the overall average in England, with a rate of 195.4 cases per 100,000 of the population as of December 16.

But Blackpool's relatively low rate of infection has not prevented the Government from keeping the resort in Tier 3 until next year, due to the tier system's blanket approach towards the whole of Lancashire.

Coun Williams says this approach to tackling the pandemic on a county-wide scale is undermining the resort's economic recovery, with Blackpool practically "trapped" in Tier 3 as long as infection rates remain high in other parts of Lancashire.

Instead, Coun Williams has suggested that Blackpool's tourism sector would be in a better position to begin its recovery from the pandemic if the resort was to be considered separately in future reviews of the tier system.

She said: "It is disappointing that the Government is not willing to recognise the different circumstances within Lancashire.

"We are finding it increasingly difficult to understand how we can ever move into a lower tier if we are always going to be harnessed to other geographical areas.

"Our infection rates are significantly lower than when we were originally placed in Tier 3 and are now lower than places that are designated as Tier 2.

"Our argument throughout is that there should be a consistent and proportionate approach to the tier system, one that mitigates against the risk of increased infection but also one that allows our economy to open up in a safe and controlled manner.

"We have tourism businesses that were ready to reopen with COVID-safe shows and entertainment this weekend based on a much-improved situation. All of that time and effort has been wasted, and consumer confidence will once again ebb away.

"The tourism and hospitality industry simply cannot continue to function with this level of uncertainty, not knowing whether they should be planning for closure or planning for reopening.

"There might be sectors where economic activity can be turned on and off at a couple of days’ notice, tourism is not one of them.

"If our tourism and hospitality industry is to have any chance of recovery in 2021 the Government needs to set out a very clear and unambiguous route map that allows businesses to plan ahead."

Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, said he shares Coun Williams' disappointment and frustration. He said he will continue to push the Government to review the way it operates the Tier System, which he says has "penalised" Blackpool for higher infection rates elsewhere in Lancashire.

He said: "Our local infection rate in Blackpool has reduced significantly over recent months thanks to the hard work of local people in abiding by the current restrictions.

"It remains bitterly disappointing that, in spite of the progress that we have made in Blackpool, the infection rate in other parts of Lancashire remains stubbornly high.

"It is for this reason that the decision has been taken to leave the whole of Lancashire in Tier 3.

"Over the last few weeks I have been robustly making the case to Ministers that local authorities should be treated on their own merits.

"It is very disappointing that Lancashire has been treated as a whole once again and that Blackpool is being penalised for the situation elsewhere.

"It is hoped that the roll-out of the vaccine and mass community testing which is now taking place across Lancashire, including in Blackpool, will reduce infection rates further and enable us to move to Tier 2.

"Ahead of the next review later this month, I will continue to argue in the strongest possible terms that local authorities should be treated separately and that the conditions have been met to enable Blackpool to move to Tier 2.

"I will also continue to push for further support – in addition to the existing government support packages – for our local businesses and tourism industry."

It is more important than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

For unlimited access to news and information online, you can subscribe here.