Rugby MP and Warwickshire council leader fight Tier 3 rules as anger grows - so why is Rugby to be put in Tier 3?

MP Mark Pawsey and Cllr Izzi Seccombe believe Rugby and the rest of Warwickshire should not be placed under the strict Tier 3 rules
Rugby town centre on the first day of the second lockdown.Rugby town centre on the first day of the second lockdown.
Rugby town centre on the first day of the second lockdown.

Rugbeians reacted with shock yesterday, November 26, when it was announced the borough is to be subjected to the toughest restrictions available under the new tier system.

All of Warwickshire together with Coventry and Solihull will be placed under Tier 3 rules from December 2.

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These restrictions mean that no mixing of households is allowed - unless it is through a support bubble.

The borough's pubs and restaurants will also be forced to only offer takeaways while indoor entertainment venues must stay completely closed.

One Rugby restaurant owner told the Advertiser the news felt like being shot in the stomach - and business leaders described the news as 'another bitter blow' for businesses.Warwickshire council leader and Rugby MP believe we should be in Tier 2

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire County Council, said she believes Warwickshire should not be put under Tier 3 - and that the council is fighting to change the situation.

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In a statement released on social media yesterday, she wrote: "Today has been a tough day.

"Warwickshire should not be in Tier 3 and I have been meeting with Secretary of State and Senior Directors at Department of Communities and Department of Health.

"We have challenged the evidence and robustly argued we should go to Tier 2.

"I think the key date is 16th December and I have got agreement to a high level meeting before that date to strongly represent our position.

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"We need every resident to help to show how right we are and bring down the infection rate.

"Please do the right thing - comply with guidance. Let's get this right and save the NHS and our Businesses."

Some residents told the Advertiser they felt that the borough had been unfairly lumped in with Coventry and Solihull in the tier system.

And Rugby MP Mark Pawsey this afternoon told the Advertiser he feels the same way, and has been fighting against the restrictions.

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He also highlighted the devastating impact the restrictions will have on many of the borough's businesses.

He said: "I have spent most of today in meetings discussing the measures due to come into force next week, and I remain unconvinced that we should be in Tier 3.

"Our placement in this tier is due to Rugby being grouped with both Coventry and Solihull, the latter being a place so far away and so different that it simply does not make sense to be considered together.

"Along with other local MPs, I have lobbied the Secretary of State for Health over the past 24 hours, and he has now committed to looking at creating a Warwickshire-wide ‘region’ when the tiers are re-assessed on 16th December.

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"Sadly, it is unlikely that any changes will be made to our Tier 3 status before that date.

"Since the pandemic started, local people have consistently done the right thing to keep each other safe, and I strongly believe that the decision to put us in Tier 3 is not right for Rugby.

"Families have made so many sacrifices this year and our local businesses have suffered real hardship.

"Although I am obviously very pleased that non-essential retail will be able to re-open its doors on 2nd December, it is a tragedy that our pubs, bars and restaurants will not be able to do the same.

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"As a consequence of the restrictions they will face they will miss out on two of the most important trading weeks of the year.

"This is at a time when they have already suffered from months of reduced trading, and when it can be shown that there is little evidence of transmission in these environments."

Were we put under Tier 3 because UHCW is overwhelmed?

One theory being shared on social media was that Rugby had been designated Tier 3 because UHCW, which is treating covid patients from Rugby, was struggling to cope with demand.

The Advertiser spoke with UHCW and confirmed that this is not the case.

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A spokesperson for UHCW said: "Winter is a busy time for our hospital sites, as it is in the rest of the NHS, and something that we carefully plan for each year.

"On top of this we are caring for patients with COVID-19, whilst also restoring services paused during the initial phase of the pandemic.

"Currently, the number of COVID-19 patients being cared for by UHCW remains below that of the initial wave and we urge the public to follow the guidelines to help protect themselves, their friends and families and ensure we can continue to provide the best possible care for all our patients."

A spokesperson for the hospital added that, while they are currently working at over 90 per cent capacity, this was perfectly normal for the winter, and plans are in place to increase capacity if required.

What did the Government have to say?

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Information released by the Government yesterday lists the following reasons for Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull being put under Tier 3.

The Government states: "The case rate remains very high (though falling) across this area at 236/100,000.

"The case rate in over 60s remains very high at 182/100,000.

"There is a clear upward trend in case rates in over 60s in three of the seven local authority areas.

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"Positivity is 9.0%. The pressure on the local NHS remains high."

Pertaining to pressure on the NHS, the Advertiser believes this applies more to Solihull - which relies heavily on Birmingham for the treatment of covid patients.

Key reason appears to be infection rate in over 60s

A key reason Rugby has been put in Tier 3 appears to be the rate of cases in the over 60s - who are the most vulnerable to the virus and thus the most likely to require hospitalisation.

Today Rugby Borough Council leader Seb Lowe said: "I am hugely disappointed that Rugby will be going into Tier 3 from 2 December.

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"The figures show that our residents have made a significant drive in getting case numbers back down, and to miss out by small margins is frustrating.

"Our residents and especially our businesses need Rugby to be in Tier 2 at the earliest opportunity.

"But at the moment, the virus is spreading amongst too many of our residents aged over 60.

“This vulnerable group need our help by us all keeping social distancing, washing our hands and wearing face coverings.

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“While I will be making the case that the government should reconsider at the next review date, as residents we can make the decision easy by carrying on following the rules and slowing the spread of the virus.”

We will bring you more information when we get it.