Statement from Nadhim Zahawi MP (updated on 9th December):

I remain extremely disappointed that Warwickshire is in Tier 3, in particular because of the effect this is having on our hospitality, tourism and performing arts industries who have already been through so much this year. Unfortunately, it seems that the higher numbers of infections, especially among those over 60, and hospitalisations in the north of the county did not count in our favour when the initial tier decisions were made at the start of the month. 

For the sake of suffering businesses, livelihoods and the freedoms we are currently prohibited from enjoying to the same extent as our neighbours in Tier 2, we now need to urgently work to get Warwickshire out of Tier 3 as soon as realistically possible. Having spoken on numerous occasions with fellow Warwickshire MPs and council leaders across the county during the last fortnight, there is unanimous agreement that Warwickshire should be considered as a county alone in all future decisions about restrictions, and not in conjunction with Coventry and Solihull where infections and pressures appear to be higher. I made my views on this clear to the Health Secretary, and I am pleased that Warwickshire County Council has now received written confirmation that Warwickshire's tier will be reassessed alone in all future decisions.  

Fellow MPs, council leaders and I have also pushed for community, lateral-flow testing to be rolled out in the north of the county where infections are worse. I welcome the news that this has now commenced in North Warwickshire with the first testing centres having opened this week. As the situation in Liverpool proved, this is a highly effective way of suppressing the infection. 

Tier decisions across the country will be reviewed by Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care on 16th December. I will continue pushing hard for Warwickshire to be moved into Tier 2 as soon as possible along with, I have no doubt, all council leaders and MPs across the county. In the meantime, it is vital that all Warwickshire residents continue following the rules to the letter to ensure our progress down the tiers is not compromised in any way. 

Further details on Tier 3 restrictions can be seen here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-3-very-high-alert