All three Trafford MPs have criticised the government’s decision to place the borough under tier 3 restrictions from next week.

The two Labour MPs and one Conservative MP are all united in their belief that Trafford should instead be in tier 2.

The new tiers are set to be reviewed in two weeks time.

Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West, said: “I can see no sense or logic in Trafford being put in tier 3, we know that positive test rates are well below the national average and have been falling since before the second lockdown.

“I have lobbied ministers and the Prime Minister personally against this and I will vote against this measure next week. It makes no sense to put us in tier 3 just because we are in Greater Manchester not Cheshire: Trafford’s rates are lower than Cheshire’s but Cheshire is in tier 2!”

Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, said: “I’m pleased our infection rate has been falling, and so I know many residents and business owners will be disappointed and upset that we’ll be subject to tier 3 restrictions.

“The restrictions are due to be reviewed in two weeks, and I agree with Andy Burnham that we should press for a reduction to tier 2 if our rates continue to fall as they have been doing.”

Mike Kane, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, said: “We are leaving lockdown and entering the new toughened tier 3 – which is effectively lockdown by another name. The new restrictions are going to have a huge impact on our already struggling hospitality sector, at what should be the busiest time of year for them.

“The Government must act swiftly to protect jobs and businesses, city economies like Greater Manchester must survive. Nobody wants a repeat of the failing tiered system last time round, and we all want to keep the R rate as low as possible.

“So many individuals and businesses face a bleak winter under the new restrictions. I have received an email from a pub landlord in my constituency who says he’s closing his doors for good, This cannot be right and is not fair.

“Everything about the government’s own data indicates tier 2. We can only assume the government is playing politics with people’s livelihoods and potentially their lives.

“They didn’t speak to MPs or to the leader of Trafford council before the information was in the public domain, which speaks volumes and is another indication of the chaos this government inflicts upon us all in their handling of this pandemic.

“Of course I welcome the positive news on a vaccine which is starting to give us all hope, but urge the government to protect lives and livelihoods in the meantime.’