Ahead of a Parliament vote on Tuesday to implement England’s move into a tier-based COVID-19 lockdown from later this week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued another letter in an attempt to placate rebellious colleagues within his own Conservative Party.

According to a PTI report, in the letter addressed to members of the COVID Research Group (CRG), set up by backbench Tory MPs concerned about the wider impact of further localised lockdowns at the end of the national stay-at-home shutdown which expires on Wednesday, the UK Prime Minister stressed that the new measures were “necessary”.

“The government is seeking as far as possible to listen to criticism and respond positively to constructive proposals,” Johnson wrote in the letter.

“There is every reason to hope and believe that the worst is nearly behind us, so now more than ever is the time to demonstrate unity and resolve,” he urges.

As part of efforts to address concerns, the government is said to be considering extra funding for pubs and restaurants to help them cope through the next phase of lockdowns.

In a previous letter to all Tory MPs and peers over the weekend, Johnson said the rules in some areas could be eased in December, MPs could vote again on the measures in January, and the tier system could end on February 3.

While the Opposition Labour Party is expected to back the government in the vote on Tuesday, it is yet to confirm this stance, which leaves Johnson open to a Commons defeat of the proposal unless he can curb the rebellion within his own ranks.

England’s new system – due to replace the national lockdown when it expires on Wednesday – will see regions placed in one of three tiers: medium, high and very high.

Nearly all of England will be in the highest two tiers, with tight restrictions on bars and restaurants and a ban on households mixing indoors. Only Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly will be in the lowest tier.