THE VOTE for tiered restrictions to be re-introduced in England from tomorrow has been approved by MPs.

In this evenings vote, MPs have approved Covid-19 regulations that implement three tiers of restrictions in England from Wednesday by 291 votes to 78, majority 213.

The new arrangements will come into force tomorrow (December 2), putting 99% of England in the toughest Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions.

Earlier today, Boris Johnson promised £1,000 to pubs forced to remain closed under England’s new coronavirus restrictions as he sought to ward off a damaging Tory revolt over the plans.

Tory MPs were left unhappy that impact assessments of the tiered system published on Monday did not include a detailed breakdown of the effects of the measures on different parts of the economy.

All residents of Greater Manchester will see tier three restrictions imposed on them from midnight but Bolton North East MP Mark Logan is hopeful that a move down to tier two could be possible in two weeks.

He said: "It’s great that there has been continued improvement in Greater Manchester, however weekly case rates remain very high, especially amongst those aged over 60, at around 260 per 100,000 people.

"I’m very hopeful that by the next review we will be in a stronger position.

"Having said this, if the stats are looking good in 2 weeks time then I can assure you that I’ll be shouting for Tier 2 in 2 weeks time!"

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said another nationwide lockdown across England “would be the only alternative” to the Government’s proposed tiers.

Closing the debate for the Government, with the Prime Minister sat next to him on the frontbench, Mr Hancock told the Commons: “Voting against these restrictions tonight is, in fact, a vote to allow the entire system to lapse tomorrow and I know every member of this House wants to control the virus and no-one wants to see the NHS overwhelmed.

“So support the motion to protect the NHS, support the motion to back the nurses that we all clapped in the spring, support the motion to back the doctors working on our wards every night, support the motion to back the teachers who are working so hard to keep our schools open, and back the care workers looking after the most vulnerable.

“And support this motion to back the businesses that don’t want another national lockdown, because that would be the only alternative.

“By voting for this motion you are supporting all these people and the public who want to see us act together.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister’s strategy posed a “significant” health risk and it was “highly unlikely” to see restrictions eased in parts of the country before Christmas.

He accused Mr Johnson of “over-promising and under-delivering” by pursuing an approach of short-term decisions that then “bump into the harsh reality of the virus”.