LABOUR’S Halton MP Derek Twigg has pressed the Prime Minister over why the area faces the ‘highest’ restrictions.

Boris Johnson announced a new three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions in the House of Commons this afternoon after ruling out a national lockdown.

Under the new system for England, tier three will involve the tightest restrictions.

READ MORE >> Boris Johnson Covid announcement: Halton in tier three

The Liverpool City Region has been placed in tier three - the 'very high' alert level - from Wednesday.

It means sites including pubs, bars, gyms, leisure centres, betting shops and casinos will need to close.

The Liverpool City Region includes Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens and Halton.

This afternoon, Mr Twigg reminded the House of Commons that Halton is in Cheshire, although it is part of the Liverpool City Region.

He told the Prime Minister that new restrictions were introduced on September 14, 22, 24 and as recently as October 3 – either national or local, which had an impact on his constituency.

He asked if this was an example of how the Government is moving from one restriction to the next without ‘any real proper plan to deal with this’.

Mr Twigg said: “Halton has a lower rate of infection than a number of other areas that are not in the highest restriction rate, so can I ask him why is Halton in the highest restriction rate when others are not?”

The PM said the Government is, of course, obliged to adapt its plans to ‘combat the virus’ as the epidemic changes shape and course.

He added: “But our objective remains unchanged, which is to get the R down in his constituency and elsewhere whilst keeping education open and keeping our economy going – and that’s something, I think, on which both sides of this House are united.”