Joint Statement by The Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox (MP for North Somerset)and John Penrose (MP for Weston-super-Mare):
Last week we made clear that, while we support the principle of the new Tier system because it is a huge improvement on the national lockdown, we objected to North Somerset being put in Tier 3 alongside Bristol.
We believe Tier 2 would be more appropriate if we were assessed on our own data.
After intensive discussions with the Secretary of State for Health over the weekend, he has agreed “that we will look at North Somerset on its own merits” at the first review in two weeks’ time.
Given our latest infection rate is still falling, this is the commitment North Somerset needed. It was reinforced by the Prime Minister in today’s debate.
To have voted against the new Tier system would have prevented the government from dealing with local flare-ups without imposing another national lockdown.
We believe that would have been irresponsible.
NOTE:
As of today, our 7-day rate was 185.1, still above the national average for England of 167.8, but down from 203.7 on Friday. We believe this puts us in a strong position to be placed in the more appropriate tier.