Government was told MONTHS ago that Greater Manchester needed more help

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police chief has urged people to stay at home in Tier 4 tomorrow night instead of celebrating New Year's Eve as they normally would. Under Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, people are required by law to remain at home unless they need to leave their home for essential reasons.

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direct to your inboxGreater Manchester's cold snap is set to continue with more snow expected to hit the region until New Year's Eve. Many parts of the region woke up to a blanket of heavy snow today following two days of adverse weather conditions.

direct to your inboxThe Met Office has issued another weather warning, with more snow is expected to hit the region in the next 24 hours.A yellow warning for snow and ice has been extended until tomorrow morning (Tuesday, December 29).The region was covered by a yellow warning for snow this morning.

What do you think? Have your say in our comments below "I think the general thought is with Covid, yes, we've got some things wrong."But most people get that with a global pandemic that's constantly evolving, you're going to make mistakes."There is a lot of sympathy out there, but we were already in a very polarised atmosphere previously and unfortunately, it's become even more polarised."Every mistake is now a political choice as opposed to something you've realised in hindsight just wasn't

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer has noticed a significant improvement in Anthony Martial's running stats, after hammering home the point to the Manchester United striker in training.Martial has returned to form of late after a difficult start to the season, scoring and assisting as a substitute in United's 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Everton.The impressive cameo came on the back of a goal and assist in United's win over Sheffield United and two more assists in the

direct to your inboxTwo men from Greater Manchester who won £20,000 on the hit BBC show Race Across the World have donated their prize money to charity.Emon Choudhury, 36, from Stockport, beat four other teams to win the race alongside his nephew Jamiul Choudhury, 25, from Oldham.The pair beat the odds to complete an epic 54-day journey from Mexico City to the south of Argentina for the second series of the BBC2 show.On their travels, the men were visibly moved by the number of homeless children

direct to your inboxThe number of new Covid-19 hospital admissions in Greater Manchester is rising for the first time since mid-November, as the mayor warns the arrival of a potent new strain to the region is now ‘inevitable’.However Andy Burnham says he does not yet think the time is right for the conurbation to be placed into Tier 4 restrictions.He told this afternoon’s weekly press conference that infection rates here - which are up 1pc in the past week - are still ‘flatlining’ and argued the

straight to your inbox every day for freeScott McTominay put his hand up to take Manchester United's penalty against Leeds United, as he was chasing a hat-trick. McTominay's two early goals put United on course for a stunning victory over Marcelo Bielsa's side at Old Trafford, as the hosts cruised to a 6-2 win.Bruno Fernandes and Victor Lindelof scored to make it 4-0 just before half-time, though Leeds skipper Liam Cooper's header made it 4-1 at the break.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester and Lancashire are staying in Tier 3 restrictions after a review of Covid rules across England.Matt Hancock announced in the House of Commons on Thursday morning that Bristol and North Somerset were coming out of Tier 3 into Tier 2 - but that every other part of England currently in Tier 3 was staying there.  He also announced a list of areas that would be moved up into Tier 3 including Surrey, Berkshire and Peterborough.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester is expected to remain in Tier 3 under the government’s latest review of Covid measures, senior local sources have told the M.E.N.The Health Secretary is to address the House of Commons this morning to announce any further changes to local restrictions in England over the coming fortnight.Hopes in some quarters, including among a fair few local leaders and the hospitality sector, had been high that Greater Manchester - or at least parts of it - would be

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester leaders have urged the government to base their review of tiering arrangements on what is happening in the north of England instead of the south.Mayor Andy Burnham remains confident that there is a case for all ten boroughs to come out of Tier 3 at once with Covid-19 infection rates falling by 20 per cent since December 2.However he admitted ahead of the government’s announcement tomorrow that it was ‘more borderline’ in boroughs where rates remain above

straight to your inbox every day for freeFormer Ajax defender John Heitinga has questioned whether Donny van de Beek made the wrong decision to join Manchester United. The Dutch midfielder moved to Old Trafford in a £40million deal but has struggled for first-team football.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson have paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier who has passed away aged 73.Prior to his six-year spell at Anfield, Houllier worked as assistant manager to France national team boss Michel Platini, working closely with one of the best players to ever represent United in Eric Cantona.Houllier was pivotal in Cantona moving to England, believing the notorious forward needed to leave France after a

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 3,800 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.Behind the Covid-19 death statistics that we publish each day are human beings who all had stories to tell.

direct to your inboxTwenty-six more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has risen to 3,900, the latest NHS figures show.Nine more Covid-related deaths were recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its 24 hour data.The trust runs the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), Wythenshawe Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Saint Mary's hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed five new deaths.

“The COVID-19 vaccination programme is the single biggest immunisation programme in the history of the NHS and we are absolutely privileged and excited that our Salford Royal site and group is one of the first in the country to receive the vaccine and be at the forefront of its delivery in Greater Manchester.

direct to your inboxChristmas 2020 is already shaping up to be a very different festive season.With much of the country still under severe restrictions after the lifting of lockdown last week, many traditions have had to be put on hold this year.But one thing we know won't change is the selfless work of the region's many Christmas heroes.Every year, the M.E.N celebrates the people who are working on the frontline during the festive period - and this year, that's never felt more important.