Housing Secretary tells LBC: 'We want to avoid a blanket national lockdown'

29 October 2020, 08:20 | Updated: 29 October 2020, 08:40

Robert Jenrick says blanket lockdown must be avoided

The Government wants to avoid another "blanket national lockdown" amid the coronavirus crisis by sticking to its regionalised approach, the Housing Secretary has told LBC.

Robert Jenrick told LBC's Nick Ferrari that despite the rise in Covid cases across the country, a nationwide circuit break would cause "massive damage" to people's lives and livelihoods.

He praised regional leaders in Nottinghamshire for agreeing to enter Tier 3 restrictions from Friday, with added measures in place such as stopping alcohol sales at off-licences from 9pm.

Read more: 50,000 have missed cancer diagnosis during Covid-19 pandemic, Macmillan says

Read more: Over 100 covid patients discharged into Scottish care homes, report reveals

Boris Johnson has been urged to resist calls for a second lockdown over Christmas, as Germany and France both headed into second lockdowns as the second wave of Covid-19 continues to sweep across Europe.

Mr Jenrick told LBC: "We've always said this was a serious situation and you can see the data that's emerging across the whole country, but particularly in some places where the virus is concentrated.

Lord Sumption tells Tom Swarbrick he does not agree with a Christmas lockdown

"We want to avoid a blanket national lockdown.

"We know that has some advantages, but it's also heavily disadvantaged by the massive damage that does to people's livelihoods and to broader health and wellbeing.

"So if we can, we want to avoid that by taking the regionalised approach that we are.

"You'll see overnight that we've reached agreement with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire for another part of the country to go into Tier 3, where there'll be further measures.

"That's actually enhanced to the previous ones, because local leaders agreed to take further steps there, because they saw the seriousness of the situation in their own community, for example having alcohol sales stopped at 9pm in off-licences and corner shops.

"We're also in discussion with some other places, like Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Former Chief Scientific Adviser: Government responsible for "criminal mistake" on Covid

"I think that is the right approach, obviously we keep the situation under review, but it is right that we try everything in our power to avoid a blanket national lockdown."

His comments came after Germany and France both announced they were heading into second lockdowns to cope with the ever-growing numbers of new coronavirus cases.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the country was being "overpowered" by the second wave, and said a new nationwide lockdown would be the only possible way to successfully fight Covid-19.

France saw one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, with citizens expected to show papers detailing why they were leaving their homes.

It is expected these measures will be reimplemented, and people will only be allowed to leave their homes for work, medical appointments and essential exercise. Schools however, will remain open.

Angela Merkel also announced on Wednesday Germany's lockdown will come into effect on November 2 and will see bars and restaurants closing until 30 November.

Shops will be allowed to remain open on condition that there is only one customer per 10 square metres of space.

According to the federal government's proposal, all leisure facilities such as theatres, operas, cinemas, swimming pools and fitness studios, but also bars, clubs, discos and pubs will close.

But the "delivery and collection of takeaway meals for consumption at home" will remain open, as will schools and kindergartens.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The chilling footage was reportedly taken by a student at the school.

Chilling Sweden mass shooting footage reveals 'gunman's scream' before opening fire and killing 10

Exclusive
Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind CEO Steven Hall has called for more support from the government

Mental health charity calls for government help as services to take £250k hit due to NI tax hikes

Exclusive
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper takes part in the Call the Cabinet phone-in during LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast show.

'Why won't you say the word?': Home secretary refuses to confirm inquiry into murder of Sir David Amess

Exclusive
Aspiring cyber professionals will be given the chance to enter a fast-track stream to become 'cyber warriors' within a month.

Fast-track to £40k: Military recruits ‘cyber warriors’ with just one-month training and highest salary in the armed forces

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper takes part in the Call the Cabinet phone

Government plans new police powers to tackle rising phone thefts, Home Secretary tells LBC

Davina McCall wrote letters to her children before undergoing surgery.

Davina McCall reveals heartbreaking plans she made for her children before brain tumour surgery

Matt Jukes said the UK could not afford to delay taking serious action on the negative impacts of social media.

Dangers of social media for children 'like cancer risk of smoking', says counter-terrorism chief

Ebony McIntosh passed away aged 24.

Tributes pour in for beloved Brit travel influencer who died suddenly on 'dream' trip to Sri Lanka

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden wants to create a more "agile and modern" state

Top civil servants could face the sack if they do not deliver savings for the taxpayer

Exclusive
Shocking figures obtained by LBC show that 2790 women were caught carrying knives in 2023/24, up from fewer than 900 in 2014.

Number of women caught carrying knives trebles in a decade

L-R: Dafydd Huw Craven-Jones, 18, Sophie Bates, 17, Morgan Jones, 17.

Three teens died after new driver 'lost control of car and crashed into tree'

Kemi Badenoch has urged the Government to make it harder for immigrants to secure permanent residency or a UK passport.

Tories pledge to kick out low-paid and unemployed migrants from UK

Exclusive
Beware of Phone Snatchers warning by Metropolitan Police stencilled on London pavement

Police will get extra powers to speed up search warrants in clampdown on soaring mobile phone thefts

Harvey Willgoose died in the attack at All Saints Catholic High School

Mum of Sheffield school stabbing victim Harvey Willgoose reveals heartbreaking final words

Liam Payne and girlfriend Kate Cassidy attending the premiere of All Of Those Voices at Cineworld in London.

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy reveals reason she left star in Argentina

Police refuse to return stolen phone to owner because thief 'used it' and device now contained his private information

Police refuse to return stolen phone to owner because thief 'used it' and device now contained his private information