Local leaders in Kirklees have called for the borough to avoid being placed in Tier 3 restrictions as discussions continue with the Government over further action in West Yorkshire.

A statement by Kirklees Council’s Outbreak Control Board, including Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin and Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, both Labour, and Conservative MPs Jason McCartney and Mark Eastwood, as well as cross-party councillors, said Tier 3 rules would have a “devastating effect” on the economy and mental health.

Kirklees, which shares a border with Bradford, includes areas such as Cleckheaton, Birkenshaw and Heckmondwike.

Earlier, a brief joint statement had been issued on behalf of Leaders of West Yorkshire’s Councils after they met with Government officials. 

Tier 3 talks in Bradford and West Yorkshire ongoing

However, just after 9pm tonight, Kirklees Council issued its own press release entitled 'cross party message to Government over Covid-19 restrictions.

It said: “The closure of our pubs and bars will have a devastating impact on our economy and people’s livelihoods, and we have not seen the evidence that this will directly impact on infection rates.

“We instead need to continue the work we are doing at a local level, on the ground, in our communities. We are already seeing positive results from this work, with Kirklees now having the lowest rates in West Yorkshire. We’re urging the Government to give us more resources to build on this."

It added: “We’re concerned about the mental health of people in Kirklees, many of whom have been under local restrictions since July. Preventing people from visiting each other’s gardens will be a big blow during what is already a very difficult time.

“We also do not feel comfortable agreeing for Kirklees to enter Tier 3 without any indication of how we get out of these restrictions and how long they will last.”

After tonight's meeting, Mr Sheerman tweeted: "A challenging but encouraging meeting of the Kirklees Outbreak Group involving all four MPs & Council Leaders We are together determined to make the case for staying in Tier Two & working together to beat the virus!"

Here are the latest infection rates in West Yorkshire, for the seven days to October 23, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

1) Bradford 496.9 (2682 new cases), up from 374.8 the previous week (when there were 2023 new cases)

2) Calderdale 441.2 (933), 278.1 (588)

3) Wakefield 430.4 (1499), 284.5 (991)

4) Leeds 420.6 (3336), 382.2 (3031)

5) Kirklees 401.6 (1766), 276.5 (1216)

The Kirklees Council’s Outbreak Control Board consists of:

  • Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council
  • Councillor John Taylor, Conservative Group Deputy Leader
  • Councillor John Lawson, Liberal Democrat Group Leader
  • Councillor Andrew Cooper, Green Party Group Leader
  • Councillor Charles Greaves, Independent Group Leader
  • Member of Parliament Batley and Spen: Tracy Brabin MP 
  • Member of Parliament Colne Valley: Jason McCartney MP 
  • Member of Parliament Dewsbury: Mark Eastwood MP 
  • Member of Parliament Huddersfield: Barry Sheerman MP