Councillors plead with PM to move Staffordshire into Tier 2 at December 16 review

Council leaders across Staffordshire have written to the Prime Minister to appeal against prolonging the county’s placement in Tier 3.

Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White – together with all eight district and borough council leaders – say that while they understand the Government’s position, infection rates have been falling in all areas in the county.

They are now appealing to Boris Johnson to consider the ‘wider impact’ of the restrictions and the ‘severe damage’ they are causing to the local hospitality and tourism sectors – sectors which employ 33,000 people and are worth £1.85bn a year to the Staffordshire economy.

The Government is due to review the area restrictions on Wednesday. (Dec 16)

In the letter to the Mr Johnson, leaders say the hospitality sector provides people with a safe, well-managed and regulated place to relax and enjoy responsibly.

They add: “It is essential that the Government considers the wider impact these restrictions are having on local economies, and the wider determinants of health such as mental health and wellbeing.

“We need to ensure that restrictions now are not planting the seed for serious financial and health issues post pandemic. As we look to our future economic recovery, it is vital that our hospitality and tourism businesses remain as going-concerns, able to continue to contribute to the public purse and provide valuable employment opportunities at a time when other sectors, such as retail, are contracting.