CREWE and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan has called on the government to "work harder on explaining and justifying the steps it is taking" when it comes to coronavirus restrictions.

The MP made the plea during a parliamentary debate on measures for the north of England.

The Conservative member said: "I think it's quite right that the government acts as it has been doing, but I do think it needs to work harder on explaining and justifying the steps it is taking both locally and nationally.

"Where is the detail on the reasons why we have not excluded children from the rule of six? Where is the detailed explanation on the 10pm lockdown? This [debate] is related to local lockdown measures, but if we don't have confidence from the public in the national measure, we've got very little chance of getting them to listen to us on the local measures."

The MP believes it is up to members of parliament to communicate the new guidance and advice in their constituencies.

In response, Health Minister Helen Whately said: "We are truly facing a global pandemic. This is the greatest crisis we have faced since the second world war, so we must suppress it, and we must do so while doing our utmost to protect our economy.

"We have been constantly learning, listening, and adapting and working closely with those in local areas because the only way we will win against this virus is by working together and defeating it together."

Cheshire East Council has called upon the government to hand over more enforcement powers and resources to fight the virus. Council leader Cllr Sam Corcoran says that by doing so the government would avoid the need to impose further restrictions on the borough.