Greater Manchester councils agreed to provide a finance package of more than £250m to Manchester Airport Group to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the airport. Open letter signed by eleven organisations asks the Greater Manchester Combined Authority council to reconsider their decision. An open letter addressed to the ten borough councils of […]
Controversial plans for Hulme student flats given green light under delegated powers
Despite calls to reinstate the council planning committee, plans for student accommodation in Hulme were approved by the chief executive. Councillors and campaigners say the council’s emergency arrangements for the coronavirus crisis are undemocratic, with locals feeling excluded and threatening legal action. Last week, Manchester City Council’s chief executive approved controversial plans for a nine-storey […]
Leadership candidates lay out their visions for the future of the Labour Party at Manchester hustings
A lively hustings for Labour Party leadership candidates at Manchester’s Central Convention Complex last night covered a lot of ground including issues around: Brexit, housing, transport, political reform, the environment and antisemitism. The three contenders for the Labour Party leadership, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Keir Starmer, laid out their visions for the future of […]
2020 Housing Vision: an opportunity to act against the housing crisis
There is widespread concern that our new Conservative government will do little to alleviate the housing crisis, that has become more severe over the last ten years while the Tories have been in power. This event hosted by organisations fighting for housing rights, aims to guide the hand of national and local governments to do […]
Rebecca Long-Bailey pledges to democratise UK economy and push for Green New Deal
Labour leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey launches her campaign in Manchester. She slams austerity and promises to create a fairer economy for all that will also tackle climate change. Rebecca Long-Bailey pledged to fight climate change, democratise the UK economy and replace the House of Lords with a senate outside of London if she became prime […]
Universal Credit hits all time low as food bank use in Greater Manchester soars
Social security payments, such as Universal Credit, are at an all time low, says report by IPPR think tank. Local campaign groups GM Poverty action and GM Unite Community comment on the situation. IPPR offer solution of an emergency funding package that they calculate would benefit those in need more, and cost the public purse […]
Franchised bus system would ‘give better value for money’ for Mancunians says Sir Richard Leese
Public meeting saw Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, weigh in on the side of re-regulating the GM bus system in a franchised, London like model. Greater Manchester’s buses would be better value for money, more convenient and accountable if publicly controlled, an audience heard at a panel discussion organised by the Better Buses […]
Unicorn Grocery strives to help communities co-operate and ‘grow their own groceries’
In the heart of lively Chorlton-cum-Hardy you can find the fabled unicorn. This particular specimen is no mono-pointed myth, it is the thriving Unicorn Grocery Workers’ Cooperative. A member-run supermarket selling affordable, wholesome food, with a focus on organic, local and fair trade produce. Located on Albany Road and run by it’s motivated worker-owners, the […]
Work for Change says co-ops are about ‘sharing wealth rather than grabbing it’
The creative spirit and sense of community that characterised pre-regeneration Hulme in the 1980s and 90s lives on at Work For Change, a co-operatively managed workspace that gives its tenants excellent rates, friendly informal business advice and a say in how the building is managed. Their home on Old Birley Street in Hulme includes, offices, […]
Activists take billionaire energy tycoon to task over ‘greenwashing’ at cycling tour of Britain
Anti-fracking activists took to Deansgate last weekend to protest the sponsorship of the British national cycling team by Ineos, the fracking company and chemicals giant. While remaining peaceful and respectful of cycling fans, the protestors gathered at the start of the race in Altrincham and at the finish in Deansgate. The protestors held banners and […]