MP urges Health Secretary to reconsider decision to slash vaccine supply in the North West

This morning, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock urging him not to go ahead with plans to significantly slash vaccine supplies in the North West next month.

Today, NHS England confirmed reports that vaccine supply will be cut by a third in February for Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and South Cumbria.

In his letter to the Secretary of State, Tim warned that this move would "dash the only ray of hope" for the region that has seen the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the country.

Writing to Matt Hancock, Tim said: "I strongly believe that the Government's decision to penalise the North West for doing such a good job in administering the vaccine is deeply unfair and sends out completely the wrong message. It also threatens to widen some of the health inequalities that our region faces that has been further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Government should be learning from our brilliant local NHS teams in the North West, not punishing them.

"I would strongly urge you to reconsider this decision."