Cycling campaigner Nick Hubble explains why we should take advantage of government guidance and funding to build a regional cycle network for the post-lockdown recovery. Last month the government announced a comprehensive package of measures to boost walking and cycling (“active travel”) as we emerge from phase one of lockdown. These include: £2 billion investment in active […]
Campaigners cheer bold proposals for 100km Covid-19 ‘pop up’ cycle network
Proposals to install more than 100 km of ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes across Greater Manchester are welcomed by campaign group WalkRide. The plans, if implemented, will enable more people to travel safely during the Covid-19 crisis, and will keep pollution, congestion, and emission levels low. Walk Ride Greater Manchester today welcomed news that leaders are planning […]
Manchester pub still serving its community
It is a dark time for the hospitality industry but The Old Abbey Taphouse community pub is not letting lockdown get in the way of them serving their locals, by partnering with a number of community organisations to provide Hulme residents with ‘pay-as-you-feel’ meal deliveries. Hulme’s residents are receiving pay-as-you-feel meals and support from their […]
ACORN will fight to ensure there are no Covid-19 evictions
ACORN tenants union in Manchester are fighting against the threatened ejection of homeless people housed in hotels and the growing threat of eviction for private renters burdened with growing rent arrears due to lockdown. They have put together six key demands to create a healthier housing system nationally and are petitioning Greater Manchester councils to […]
Covid-19 and me: my experience
Anti-poverty activist and journalist Charlotte Hughes, explains the experiences and the problems she encountered when she came down with Covid-19 and why she feels that the government let her down. Charlotte, who has previously interviewed Ken Loach, questions the motivations behind government decisions and how it affects the poor. Whilst I haven’t had a test […]
Civil rights campaigners demand urgent action after Greater Manchester Police taser a man in front of his child
Northern Police Monitoring Project, and other civil rights groups, have written a letter to Greater Manchester Police and Police Crime Commissioner Bev Hughes expressing concerns over the tasering of a man in front of his child at a petrol station in Stretford on Wednesday 6 May. GMP have referred the incident to the Independent Office […]
Obituary: Manjeet Kaur – disability and human rights campaigner
Manjeet Kaur’s life is a story of extraordinary adversity and battles. She fought tirelessly and her work led to changes in policy and practice in several key areas. Manjeet Kaur died on Saturday 25 April 2020 in Manchester, aged 41 years. Human rights campaigner and activist Manjeet Kaur was born in Afghanistan in January 1979. […]
Food for all – could we come out of this with a bold plan to combat hunger?
This pandemic has shown how communities can effectively redistribute food, but what happens next? Guest article from Manchester Confidentials The National Food Service is a campaign group with food hall branches across the country. Expanding that network, they say, will be instrumental to tackling hunger post-lockdown. Instead of expensive restaurants for some and food banks […]
The new coronavirus Neighbourhood Watch
Whilst spreading the ‘stay at home’ message, our news outlets have also been flooding us with images of people in parks and outside, fueling widespread suspicion and mistrust throughout communities. Police have reported an increase in calls and groups set up for mutual aid are being inundated with videos and pictures of neighbours playing in […]
A vision for future Manchester: Local Plan consultation closes this Friday
Rising Up! Manchester Families have worked with Greater Manchester Housing Action, Climate Emergency Manchester and Steady State Manchester to formulate a response to the Manchester Local Plan. The response can be used and adapted by anyone wishing to comment on the Local Plan before the consultation closes at 5pm, this Friday 1 May. First published […]