TWO Teesside MPs have defended their call for the region to be moved onto a lower rung of Covid restrictions after criticism from a senior councillor. 

Conservative Tees Valley MPs have called on the Government to push Teesside into a lower level of covid restrictions in a bid to help bars and restaurants open once again. 

But Redcar and Cleveland councillor Steve Kay accused MPs of “playing to the gallery” at a health meeting on yesterday (Monday). 

Councillors were told how rates of Covid in Redcar and Cleveland had flattened – but were beginning to rise once again in Middlesbrough. 

And the independent cabinet member for housing, health and welfare believed it would be a “great mistake” for the region to go into Tier Two.

Cllr Kay said: “From what Mark Adams has just said about the rates rising in Middlesbrough and the flattening in Redcar and Cleveland, there is no justification in the figures to go into Tier Two. 

“I think when the minister looks at this, he will keep us in Tier Three.”

Mr Adams, director of public health for South Tees, told the panel how rates had been flat in Redcar and Cleveland and demands at James Cook University Hospital had fallen slightly. 

However, there were still concerns about how services would cope after Christmas. 

He added: “We’re braced for what’s going to happen in January – we’re mobilising what limited impact we can have.”

Last week, Labour MPs Andy McDonald, Alex Cunningham and Mike Hill urged against a relaxation of rules fearing the NHS would be overwhelmed in the New Year due to rising rates. 

The Government will review tier restrictions tomorrow (Wednesday) before an announcement is expected on Thursday on whether there will be any changes. 

Both the borough’s MPs defended their Tier Two stance after Cllr Kay’s criticisms. 

Redcar MP Jacob Young said he was “disappointed” to hear their motives had been questioned. 

He added: “We all want to protect as many lives as possible. 

“We can only do that if people can see that their efforts to reduce infections are not in vain. 

“People need to know that their hard work in reducing infections will lead towards regaining some of the freedoms they deserve to enjoy.

“I accept that not everyone will agree – and some would rather we were still trapped in a national lockdown – but in my role as a Member of Parliament I have to weigh up the effects of restrictions – not just on lives but on livelihoods and the effects on mental health as well.

“This is a complex balance and nobody should pretend it isn’t.”

NHS dashboard data showing rolling seven day average virus rates indicate a slight fall in Redcar and Cleveland to 130.5 cases per 100,000 people. 

The figures from December 5 to December 11 show Middlesbrough’s rate has risen slightly to 205 per 100,000. 

A five day mass testing pilot was launched in Grangetown on Monday to try to reach more asymptomatic people to gauge demand for tests. 

Redcar and Cleveland Council leader Mary Lanigan told the health board she would speak to junior health minister Lord Bethnell about tiers on Tuesday before Local Government minister Robert Jenrick calls on Wednesday. 

“Our MPs locally are pushing to drop into Tier Two and most of the conversation on Friday was whether they will do that,” she added.

“What I seemed to be getting from the minister was that we needed to stay where we were.”

Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said rates in the borough were a third of what they were a few weeks ago – and pointed to falling pressure on South Tees NHS Trust.  

And he believed it was important for areas to move down the tier system – as well as up – if people were going to observe restrictions in the months ahead. 

He added: “None of this means we can afford to stop being very aware of the risks that coronavirus presents.

“And this is not a clear-cut decision – others will disagree in good faith. 

“However, it is my view that we are now in a situation where it would be safe for us to move to Tier Two.  

“That would not mean an end to restrictions but it would allow two households to meet outdoors in gardens and it would allow hospitality venues to allow individual households to return, subject to having all the Covid-safe precautions in place.”