What time is today’s tier vote in House of Commons?
The vote is expected at 7pm
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MPs will vote on the new system of coronavirus tiers in the House of Commons this evening, amid backlash from within Conservative ranks that could see up to 100 backbenchers vote against the government.
The debate on the new system is scheduled to begin at 12.45pm, with a vote expected around 7pm.
Many MPs are angry with the new allocations which could see 99 per cent of England placed in the upper two tiers. Tiers two and three carry a ban household mixing indoors as well as strong restrictions for the hospitality industry.
The Labour Party will be abstaining from voting on the new measures, with Sir Keir Starmer announcing that the decision was due to the leader remaining “deeply concerned that Boris Johnson's government has failed to use this latest lockdown to put a credible health and economic plan in place”.
Read more: MPs to vote on tiers as Pfizer request emergency use for vaccine
The measures will almost definitely pass regardless of rebellion from Conservative back benches.
Last month, 34 MPs voted against imposing a second national lockdown on England.
The government has argued that more stringent measures were necessary than those in place before the second lockdown, with Boris Johnson saying the previous restrictions “weren’t quite enough”.
Only three areas – Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly – have been put into tier one, the lightest band of restrictions.
The vote comes as a study by Imperial College London found that infections fell by 30 per cent across England over the last two weeks.
However, infection figures remained relatively unchanged in the East Midlands, London and West Midlands.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments