A Bolton MP who tested positive for coronavirus says national lockdown measures should have been brought in sooner. 

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital in October where she was treated for pneumonia after testing positive for Covid-19.

Ms Qureshi, who spent five days in hospital, revealed she will be voting for a four-week national lockdown in parliament on Wednesday. 

The MP expressed disappointment that Bolton workers did not receive 80 per cent furlough during local lockdown measures enforced in September.

She also called out the Government for not responding to concerns at a local level.

Ms Qureshi said: "I and Labour will be voting for the measures because we have been calling for a circuit breaker lockdown as recommended by SAGE back in September.

"We have called for this for weeks. I am pleased the Government has finally recognised that this is needed but it is late.

"It would have been much better to act sooner meaning the lockdown would have been shorter and we could have taken advantage of half term.

"I will continue to work with my constituents and local businesses to lobby to ensure they have everything they need during this difficult period.

"I have to note my disappointment that 80 per cent furlough was not good enough for Bolton when we were put into local lockdown but it is now immediately put back in place for the national lockdown.

"It highlights the ongoing failure of the Government’s strategy where they do not listen to local concerns and sat on their hands."

Chris Green, MP for Bolton West and Atherton, revealed that he will vote against the new measures.

Yesterday he said on Twitter: "The cost of covid vs. the cost of lockdown balance does not justify a second national lockdown.

"Bolton went through an additional economic lockdown as well.

"Is an effective vaccination really going to be with us in the New Year and will it be compulsory?"

Mark Logan's office have been contacted.