The number of people over the age of 55 living in rented accommodation is increasing. The Meteor visits Hopton Court, a social housing block in Hulme, and speaks with older renters about the challenges and uncertainty they face.
Urgent need to prioritise anti-racism in Greater Manchester schools
Report highlights racism in Manchester schools with problems of lack of teacher racial literacy, a too ‘white and narrow’ curriculum, institutionally racist police in vulnerable schools and outdated school policies.
Mutual aid groups have been a lifeline to many – should they continue post-pandemic?
The pandemic lockdown saw communities banding together to provide support for the vulnerable, filling the gaps to support left by a slow to act state. Mutual aiders describe the challenges they face providing help during the Covid-19 crisis.
Curious kakapos and violin plots: my data expedition discoveries
Maddy McCormack took a first dive into a data expedition organised by Open Data Manchester.
She discovered that violin plots are not generally created by scheming orchestra members and that you should always question the data, be very thoughtful about power dynamics and keep in mind who the information can hurt and why.
Social housing companies extracting huge shareholder payouts from housing benefits paid to vulnerable tenants
Thirteen registered providers of social housing are using this financialised lease-based model in Greater Manchester. Five have regulatory judgements against them. Wigan is the borough with the highest amount of this type of housing which is fueling substantial dividend payments to shareholders, all derived from public money paid to house people with disabilities. Social housing […]
Northern Quarter residents and councillors speak after Thomas Street weavers cottages are saved from demolition
A controversial proposal to demolish a row of listed 18th century weaver cottages in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter was struck down in the Planning Committee meeting last week. With the survival of the buildings for now secured, how do the victorious campaigners and councillors want this local heritage to be restored and used? […]
‘Diverse, stimulating, exhilarating’ – NEON Spokesperson Network launches in North West
The UK sees exclusion and exploitation, and the UK media landscape fails to platform progressive voices on key economic, political and social issues. Through its Spokesperson Network, NEON trains and supports progressive and diverse voices, equipping spokespeople with skills and confidence for the media spotlight. Applications to become a NEON Spokesperson are open until 31 August.
As future students get their grades, hard-working lecturers and staff at the University of Manchester are getting redundancies
As prospective university students get their A-level grades, thousands of lecturers and university staff are getting redundancies. While the sector reels from the effects of Covid-19, the marketisation of higher education has cultivated an industry of insecure and exploited teaching staff who are worked the hardest, and are now being disposed of.
Social housing is key to alleviating the housing crisis, so why are we not building it?
National statistics show that across GM as social housing has fallen, housing waiting lists and temporary accommodation has risen. Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett and author of “Safe as Houses” Stuart Hodkinson give their views on the state of social housing and what needs to be done to improve it. It was the crises of […]
Manchester housing campaigners join forces to fight predicted Covid-19 evictions ‘tsunami’
Tens of thousands of tenants across Greater Manchester at risk of losing their homes during the Covid-19 crisis, once the ban on evictions is raised on 23 August. Tenants Union UK, ACORN Manchester and the Greater Manchester Law Centre are joining forces to offer training and information to help renters resist eviction. Full details below. […]