REPORTS leaked to the national press claiming ministers are close to shutting pubs and restaurants in parts of the North are “unforgivable”, the leader of St Helens Borough Council has said.

Cllr David Baines has joined Labour politicians across the Liverpool City Region in condemning the Government following the reports of further lockdown measures that emerged over night.

The Times newspaper led on the story today, claiming Boris Johnson will close pubs and restaurants in Northern England, including Merseyside, to curb the rise in Covid hospital admissions.

A preview of the front-page was widely shared on Twitter last night, prompting a furious backlash from senior politicians across the region, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Baines said local authorities have had no consultation or warning of the plans, which have not been officially announced.

“It’s unforgivable that a decision of this magnitude has been leaked to the media rather than communicated properly to the business owners and public it will affect,” Cllr Baines said.

“There has been no consultation and no warning.

“We’re trying to share accurate and clear information locally as best as we can, and we’re determined to do all we can to support businesses.

“We’re not helped by Government giving confusing and inconsistent messages and leaking major announcements to their friends in the press.

“As soon as Government decide to give us confirmation or any detail at all we’ll do all we can to share the facts.”

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told BBC Breakfast this morning the Government was “currently considering what steps to take”.

He said precise measures for different areas would be announced “in the coming days”, and did not rule out the possibility of pubs being closed.

St Helens North MP and Shadow Home Office Minister Conor McGinn said local pubs and restaurants will be “devastated” if the reports are accurate.

Mr McGinn said: “Once again we are finding out about decisions that will have a huge impact on our community via a leak to a newspaper.

“Local pubs and restaurants will be devastated if these reports are accurate.

“The Government must come forward with a comprehensive support package for our businesses and workers in St Helens borough and across the North West.”

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the North was being used as a “petri dish for experimentation by central Government.”

He has since released a statement in response to the reports that the Government could introduce further restrictions across the North on Monday.

Mr Rotherham said: “It is deeply disappointing to wake up this morning to reports that new Covid-19 restrictions affecting millions of people in our City Region, and across the North, could be in place within days, rather than hearing it during a genuine dialogue between ministers and local leaders.

“At the moment we have a patchwork of local measures across the country and too much confusion for the public as a result.

“So, clarity and consistency are certainly needed about what the different levels of restrictions are, when they will be imposed and, crucially, how and when they can be lifted again.”

Mr Rotheram said that any significant restrictions must come with “significant financial support” for local businesses that will be affected, something leaders and MPs have been pushing hard for in recent weeks.

On Monday, the Liverpool City Region unveiled an emergency fund of up to £40million in an attempt to prevent the vital hospitality and leisure sector from economic collapse.

The Metro Mayor said the unprecedented emergency would act as a stop-gap until financial support from central Government is secured.

Mr Rotheram said: “Significant restrictions, like those being proposed, must also come with significant financial support for local businesses that will be affected, local councils who are leading our public health efforts and for NHS test and trace.

“When the country locked down in March, the Chancellor’s actions showed that such significant measures required financial support on a similar scale.

“If it was right then, it certainly is now – so we need to be seeing local furlough schemes, business grants and financial support for the self-employed and those who cannot work from home. Otherwise the money spent earlier in the year to protect jobs and businesses earlier in the year will have been wasted, because we haven’t done similar now.

“It’s clear looking at the data and speaking to public health teams in our city region that the spread of this virus continues to go in the wrong direction. We are seeing infection rates increase significantly, while hospital admissions are already moving towards the levels we saw back in April.

“Once again, I would urge everyone in the city region to exercise extreme caution. Please follow the guidance on social distancing, face coverings and washing hands and play your part in keeping all of us as safe as possible.”