London heading to toughened Tier 2 when national lockdown ends despite falling infections, says Sadiq Khan

LONDON is heading for a return to Tier 2 when the national lockdown ends next month, Sadiq Khan said today.

The London mayor said the city would “probably be in what is called tier two” when he was asked about the country coming out of lockdown.

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Concerned MPs have demanded the capital should be in Tier 1 in a desperate bid to help the economy recover after losing billions since the first lockdown in March.

Hospitality bosses have warned three quarters of pubs, restaurants and cafes could go bust if the city isn’t placed into the lowest tier from December 3.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will later confirm the new tier system in a live TV addresses to the nation this evening.

In London, it is expected that non-essential shops, gyms, pubs and restaurants will reopen.

And Mr Johnson confirmed this even any Tier would be brought in London-wide, despite pleas from local MPs to introduce a borough by borough approach.

When asked about it this evening, he PM said today "unfortunately this virus doesn't respect boroughs".

NEW TIER SYSTEM

Speculation is mounting that pubs may only be allowed to open if they serve “substantial meals” with alcoholic drinks.

This is despite figures showing that infection rates in the capital are beginning to fall.

However, the government is expected to enforce tighter restrictions than under previous Tier 2 rules to keep the R rate under one.

No formal decision on London has been made yet and experts are carefully monitoring the data to see if there is any significant change over the next few days.

Mr Khan told LBC today: “It’s a bit early to say yet, but based on the numbers that I’ve seen, which is a slow down in the virus spreading, it’s coming down in parts of London in a couple of boroughs.

What I hope would happen is when the lockdown’s lifted on December 2nd, London would probably be in what is called tier two.”

Sadiq Khan

“If we continue to make this progress, if Londoners continue to do the right thing, then what I suspect may will happen, what I hope would happen is when the lockdown’s lifted on December 2nd, London would probably be in what is called tier two.”

The latest data shows infection rates in the worst-hit London boroughs – Havering, Redbrige and Ealing – are still outside the top 100 table.

Department of Health statistics show the seven-day average in the capital is down to 197.2 per 100,000 residents – while the national average is 234.

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of New West End Company, told the Evening Standard: “Reopening in a safe and sustainable way from 3 December is vital to ensure that retailers and leisure operators get the best possible opportunity to make up some of the billions in lost trade this season.

“In order for this to be most effective, we hope the Government recognises the latest figures we have seen in the capital and will see fit to place London at the very least in Tier 2, if not Tier 1.”

RATE FALLING IN LONDON

Noam Bar, co-founder of the Ottolenghi food empire, said: 'We have learnt to live with Tier 2, though of course Tier 1 is preferable both for us as a business and for the Government — on Tier 1 we'd employ more staff and pay more taxes.”

At 7pm tonight, Mr Johnson will take questions from the public after announcing the new tier system.

He will appear alongside Professor Chris Whitty and Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group.

But the PM is still self-isolating so will take part in the press conference remotely.

Boris is expected to reveal a tougher tier system in his Covid Winter Plan - with more rules for the areas with the highest cases.

Tier 3 is likely to see extra rules which will shut all pubs and restaurants in a blow to the hospitality industry.

It means Christmas meals and office dos will likely be off - or have to take place outside in smaller numbers - in the top levels of restrictions.