AN MP has warned that a fourth national lockdown would prove ‘disastrous’ for the north of England if the Government gets its roadmap out of lockdown wrong.

MP Jake Berry, chairman of the 50-strong Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs, has welcomed the prime minister’s ‘roadmap out of lockdown’ but has warned Boris Johnson this must be the final time.

Mr Berry believes the North has been hit harder than the rest of England during the pandemic, ‘exacerbating’ regional inequalities and leaving families and businesses struggling to stay afloat.

The former Northern Powerhouse Minister now wants the Prime Minister to come up with a Northern Economic Recovery Plan to support the region's efforts to build back better from the pandemic.

“The Northern Research Group were the first to call on the prime minister to set out a ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown,” said Mr Berry.

“His announcement on Monday evening is welcomed, but the Government can and should go further to support those who have been worst affected by this pandemic – no other part of the country has been in lockdown more than the North has.”

“The economic impact on families and on businesses across our region is significant. It has exacerbated regional inequalities and has left many families and businesses on a cliff edge as they struggle to stay afloat and make payments.”

“The prime minister is right to take a cautious approach - a fourth lockdown would be disastrous for our region.

"But this must be the last time.

“With each passing day our recovery will take longer, and people simply can’t afford another lockdown.

“The prime minister has to get it right, but he should also bring forward a tailored Northern Economic Recovery Plan to help our region build back better from this pandemic.”

Mr Berry also argues the chancellor should extend existing support programmes in next week’s Budget to provide certainty for families and businesses.

His comments follow the Northern Research Group’s previous requests to the chancellor in recent weeks, including extending the £20 uplift to Universal Credit and Business Rate Relief, a reduction of

VAT payments for the hospitality sector, and the creation of a ‘Northern Recovery Bond’ which could create billions of pounds worth of private investment.

Mr Berry added: “The chancellor must extend support for families and businesses in his budget next week.

“We cannot keep both businesses closed and deny people the opportunity of earning a living.

"We have to provide support to people as this lockdown continues.”