We should have had this data right from the start. Council’s up and down the land are the ones at the front line, we need to know what is happening in our communities and the Government needs to tell us.
Keir Starmer says Leicester's local authority had half the testing data until last week, so there was "a lost week while the virus was spreading"
Boris Johnson says Starmer is "mistaken" and "effective whack-a-mole strategies have been put in place"
#PMQs
Charles Street is looking bright with some brilliant artwork at pedestrian crossings - thanks to Graffwerks. Would you like to see more across
#Leicester
?!
Possibly the most satisfying thing about being Mayor for almost 10 years has been the chance to sweep away concrete monsters from previous decades and create civilised spaces for a proud 21st century city.
Data highlights only 10% of
#Leicester
showing higher transmission rates – should have had this information weeks ago to focus efforts. Other 90% must share my anger that delay in data caused unnecessary and unjustified
#LockdownLeicester
. Read more here:
#Leicester
will not collaborate with the Government’s change to immigration rules for rough sleepers. It is unfair, discriminatory and morally wrong to deport someone simply falling on hard times and losing their home.
Lockdown in
#Leicester
. Here's the full story of how the Government took the decision and the data we know - and more importantly what they haven't told us:
Lots of speculation today about a lockdown in
#Leicester
due to increase in
#coronavirus
cases. Reality is, still analysing data just received from Gov (after weeks of asking). When we know more we can decide what action, if any, is needed. More here
Delighted to award
@LCFC
Honorary Freedom of the City. Khun Vichai and Khun Top’s commitment and contribution to
#Leicester
- with club's sporting achievements - inspirational and deserving recipients of The City of Leicester Award.
Leicester reporting zero Covid-19 deaths (a lagging indicator) occurring over the past 7 days (more may be added later).
Cases are about 40% of the recent peak & were coming down before the new lockdown even announced.
Why is the city still in partial lockdown?
@CityMayorLeic
Bitterly disappointed but not surprised. I asked Secretary of State to focus on the 10% where the virus is - not lock down the whole of the city on an artificial political boundary.
#LockdownLeicester
Narinder. Like you I haven’t a clue what’s going on. I don’t even know who’s taking the decision and they certainly don’t involve anybody who knows anything about our city
#Leicester
. Just hoping they decide to let us out of this crude city-wide lockdown.
Much better to build a bike shed than tarmacking garden to make a car park! This needs to go to Planning Committee for members to take an independent view.
With nationwide cases rising, I'm making it clear to schools that they'll have full support if they decide that it's not safe to reopen for all children and staff. Important to continue to provide home-schooling and to remain open for key workers' and vulnerable children.
Stricter measures than anticipated from Govt but understand the need for firm action. Determined to make this work & minimise time additional measures stay in
#Leicester
. We'll continue to play our part to keep people in the city safe & healthy. More here
A second national lockdown begins but
#Leicester
residents have never been free of restrictions. Thank you for your continued hard work and patience during these unprecedented times.
#LeicesterTogether
Since mid-November, the number of weekly positive COVID tests in
#Leicester
has almost halved. Our rate per 100,000 falling from 486 to 245. A huge and welcome fall that took place over Diwali. Thank you Leicester.
As we have always done,
#Leicester
will welcome those seeking refuge from conflict and oppression. We will be a part of the resettlement scheme responding to the truly awful situation in Afghanistan.
Government promised additional support for
#Leicester
business. We're still waiting. Enormous sympathy for all businesses affected. Will be demanding the Government keeps it's promise on this. Read more at:
Yet more confusion from the Government. Some restrictions in
#Leicester
to be eased but details are far from clear. Completely sympathise with people and hope to provide much needed clarity as soon as we get it.
Important children are still getting nutritional meal - normally provided in school. Catering service across rest of country largely privatised -
#Leicester
decided, at some financial risk, to retain publicly owned City Catering & the pandemic has vindicated our decision.
Another good hustings tonight listening to voters & answering their questions.
BUT - again the Tory didn’t have the courage to turn up.
No answers to questions - how Tories wrecked the economy and why they have no vision for Leicester.
Send them a message on Thurs. Vote Labour
Still no response from Government despite promise of additional support for businesses in
#Leicester
. Written to the Secretary of State again demanding he keeps to this promise.
#LockdownLeicester
Government promised additional support for
#Leicester
business. We're still waiting. Enormous sympathy for all businesses affected. Will be demanding the Government keeps it's promise on this. Read more at:
Continuing with our commitment to provide a safe and connected city. Horsefair St, Pocklingtons Walk and Market Place South latest improvements as part of Connecting
#Leicester
programme.
At last - after poor NHS communication we WILL be getting vaccination rolled out in
#Leicester
. Promised this morning will happen from Monday. Determined to make sure they deliver!
Sneak preview of
@Leicester_HT
. Utterly stunning. Bringing great Haymarket Theatre back to life from dreadful neglect & dereliction. On budget & excellent vfm compared with an other project!!!
A few years ago, few would have dreamed that
#Leicester
could become a major visitor destination. Now bringing £1.9b to the economy. Launched new tourism plans today. Continuing to invest in a high quality experience to encourage visitors to discover the best of the region.
Have intervened to have Lee Williamson's parking fine cancelled. Parking restriction introduced following tragic death of cyclist on almost precisely this spot. But unfair to punish someone helping a person in need and distress, on Christmas Day of all days.
Today marks 100 years of council housing but
#Leicester
got there almost 20 years earlier with the wonderful historic Winifred Street flats.
#CouncilHousing100
Have joined with other Mayors to call on bus companies to require those who can to wear face coverings. Important to be safe and for others to feel safe in
#Leicester
City Council buildings now lit up at night in blue. Honouring our amazing
#NHS
and thinking of all working on the front line at these times.
#Lightitblue
Six years since the discovery of King Richard III was confirmed in
#Leicester
! So proud to have the king buried in our City and commemorate him with visitor centre and relocation of statue – something to visit when staying in our new hotels!
@uniofleicester
National Test and Trace, chaotic and failing while the virus spreads. Written to Test and Trace boss asking again for cases to be passed quickly to our own Council’s successful local tracing system.
Discovery of King Richard III in
#Leicester
confirmed
#onthisday
in 2013. Proud to have king buried in our proudly historic city and story of finding King under car park at award winning
@KRIIICentre
.
As shielding ends in Leicester we are winding up the emergency food hub. Our staff have been working hard sending out food parcels - in total packing 78,000 tins of beans, 29 tonnes of rice, 21,000 loaves of bread, 87,000 pints of milk and 91 tonnes of veg.
#ThankYou
#ProudToHelp
Next phase of successful programme of Heritage Interpretation Panels. Celebrating pride
#Leicester
, famous buildings, people and history. Increasing our existing series of 112 panels + new digital technologies to tell stories.
Leicester Covid Winter Grant Scheme now launched. Providing at least £1.4m to support those most in need with support for essential expenses.
@MarcusRashford
campaigned brilliantly & we're now offering even more over winter to ensure no child goes hungry & to support families.
#Leicester
's emergency food hub. Proud of a fantastic operation. Next phase of scheme will see us helping 19,000 vulnerable people, including those shielding. Over £800,000 spent to date. Thanks to all who are making this a great success.
Almost there to absolute gender equality in numbers. 26 women in
#Leicester
City Council Labour Group + 27 men. The highest proportion in our history & one of best in UK.
Thrilled to see essential restoration works at Turret Gateway now complete. Preserving
#Leicester
’s built heritage and more importantly no longer ‘at risk’ with
@HistoricEngland
.
Coronavirus rates in
#Leicester
have remained stubbornly high in recent weeks - pleased figures are now falling. We will continue to do everything in local power but vaccination programme is vital to reducing transmission of virus – important you take the vaccine when offered.
Thank you
#Leicester
. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for the amazing response of so many volunteers. Stay safe, stay strong and stay at home.
I've joined forces with
@coventrycc
leader George Duggins to back
@MidsConnect
calls for
@GOVUK
to fund
#MidlandsEngineRail
in Wednesday's budget. We need to reinstate direct rail services between Leicester & Coventry. Let's make it happen!
Delighted our historic city has secured £2m from
@HistoricEngland
to invest in architectural
#heritage
in
#Leicester
city centre streets including Granby St,High St and Church Gate. Follows successful Heritage Action Zone in Old Town.
After weeks of asking, on Thursday we finally got addresses of positive tests from Govt. Working now to analyse if there really is an upturn of cases and if so, where. Only then can we know what may need to be done.
For anyone in
#Leicester
worried about stories of a localised lockdown “in days” this is
@CityMayorLeic
on
@bbcemt
. It all depends on the data. Important to listen to full clip for context not hype.
Great to see national Test Trace Isolate strategy to be implemented in collaboration with local authorities - successfully used in Blackburn & Leicester
@CityMayorLeic
#Leicester
welcomes 4 European finalists for
#LeagueofLegends
European Masters Tournament today. Proud newly refurbished
@Leicester_HT
hosting prestigious event for most played video game in world!
The Chancellor’s spending review will choke any recovery not least because it leaves 3 million people in the UK receiving no or little Government help - including thousands of people in
#Leicester
. Like other Mayors I back
@ExcludedUK
.
#ExcludedUK
responds to the
#SpendingReview
as it publishes results of it's latest survey on the impacts on those excluded from government Covid-19 financial support 8 months on.
I am profoundly saddened by the news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and on behalf of the city extend my sympathies to our new monarch and all of the Royal Family.
Very pleased that bike shed application has been approved. Good for the environment and completely in keeping with conservation. Well done to the family. Now need to get clear policy encouraging quality bike storage.
Much better to build a bike shed than tarmacking garden to make a car park! This needs to go to Planning Committee for members to take an independent view.
Sad to hear of the passing of James Butler – a lovely man and truly brilliant sculptor. Proud to have three stunning statues in
#Leicester
thanks to his work – King Richard III, Thomas Cook and the Seamstress.
Delighted to announce that our wonderful Director of Finance, Alison Greenhill, is to be recommended to Council for appointment as the city council's Chief Operating Officer. 35 years' service and counting. Read more at
The Tory didn’t even have the courage to turn up.
Next Thursday is the time to send them the message from Leicester that it’s time for change.
We all need a Labour Government to sort out their mess.
Sadly no change. Government still not allowing
#Leicester
people to meet in gardens. No good explanation given even though our figures keep on improving.
The Govt’s latest review of
#coronavirus
restrictions in
#Leicester
means that rules preventing people from different households meeting in homes or gardens will stay in place. Gyms, swimming pools and soft play areas will remain closed. Read more here:
Impressed to see incredibly well behaved Highfields Primary School children on early morning walk to the bookshop in
#Leicester
. Enjoy your reading. May it entertain, widen sympathy, educate and inspire.
Inevitable
#Leicester
placed into Tier 3, essential we get everything needed to reduce prevalence. Still awaiting kits for lateral flow testing. National Test & Trace taking too long – local system more efficient, info needed on day 1 (not 6!). Thanks for your continued patience.
Like many others, my thoughts are with all those affected by the abhorrent and appalling events that have taken place in New Zealand. As we have done many times before, I’m sure our citizens and communities will join together in solidarity during these difficult times.
Great national recognition for our brilliant flagship New Walk Museum
winning
@SandfordAward
for Heritage Education. As inspiring today for schools,
families and kids as it was when David Attenborough visited as a boy.
@leicestermuseum
It’s early days, but we’ve got exciting
#regeneration
plans that could transform a former factory building in
#Leicester
’s King Street, creating high quality offices and workspaces for a new
#business
community. Read more here:
#Leicester
supports the
#VaccinesForAll
campaign - calling on
@DHSCgovuk
to ensure everyone can access Coronavirus vaccine regardless of immigration status, ID or proof of address.
Arrival of Ugandan Asian community 50 years ago significant to
#Leicester
’s rich history and identity of present day city. Pleased to be marking this very important year through permanent commemoration.
Read more here:
Great to walk around
#Leicster
with those responsible for delivering 10 years of
#ConnectingLeicester
projects to make our city a safer and more connected place.
Today marked the launch of the Homelessness Charter for Leicester. An opportunity to work with
@LeicsCathedral
and
@leicspolice
to tackle and end homelessness in all its forms.
Committed to investing in
#Leicester
’s 400 year old market to ensure it remains thriving heart of our city for future generations.
Read more about proposals here: