Statement following government announcement that Leeds will stay in Tier 3
Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“Obviously we are very disappointed to be left in Tier 3 particularly when a tier change would have been a welcome relief before Christmas. We understand this decision will be difficult to hear, but which tier Leeds falls into is ultimately the Government’s to make and our view due to falling infection rates as well as the extensive plans we have in place is that Leeds could safely be moved to Tier 2.
“Now more than ever we cannot overstate the importance of continuing to adhere to the rules for just a little longer as our position will be reviewed again on December 30th and Leeds could find itself in a better position if our indicators continue to remain positive.
“We have worked hard to deliver 1100 grants to businesses which had to close in December so they get payments at the earliest opportunity on December 17th and before Christmas. Furthermore, plans are in place for venues which predominantly serve alcohol to receive a Christmas support payment with applications going live from early January.
“Since the beginning of November the council has awarded 5500 grants to businesses affected by restrictions brought in at the end of September totalling £8.4m and since the start of the pandemic we have distributed around £170m to local businesses with grant funding schemes set to be extended.
“The vaccine offers great hope and we have already given 3000 people their first jab with 20,000 vaccinated before Christmas and our major rollout beginning in early January. For now our message remains unchanged – in order to keep ourselves and each other safe we must continue to follow all of the rules all of the time.”

Man, 35, Named as Victim of Fatal Enfield Pub Shooting
Full Leeds Route Revealed for 2027 Tour de France Femmes
Bradford Solicitor Filmed Allegedly Advising How to Avoid £45,000 Immigration Fine
Teen Driver Sentenced After 90mph Police Chase Through Halifax
Boy, 16, Cleared of Murdering Teenager in West London Stabbing
Girl, 10, Suffers Chemical Burns After Glitter Phone Case Leaks
Two Men Charged Following Keighley Café Break-In
£100m Drugs Gang Ringleader Ordered to Pay Back £260,000
Man Jailed for Defrauding Two Elderly Women of Over £5,000
Calderdale Named Among England's Top 25 Places for Children
West Yorkshire Police Officer Found Guilty of Rape
New Bradford Railway Station Planned at Interchange Site
Alim OnAir
The Golden Era
Legal Show
Bhangra Nights