Northern leaders have expressed their disappointment about finding out about further coronavirus restrictions from the media.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to impose new restrictions on Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle in an attempt to bring down rising coronavirus infection figures.

The Government had attempted to increase the influence of local political opinions in advance of it changing coronavirus restrictions but the heavy criticism from councils has continued.

Mayor of the Liverpool city region, Steve Rotheram, said it was ‘deeply disappointing’ to find out the news in this way ‘rather than hearing it during a genuine dialogue between ministers and local leaders’.