As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and with the ambition to be a world-leading Green City Region, Greater Manchester must declare a Biodiversity Emergency just like it did for the Climate Emergency, says James Walsh.
Burnham slams ‘political cowardice’ behind social care plan
Successive governments have failed to solve the crisis of social care, says Burnham, who thinks the government’s election promise breaking announcement today to raise taxes to pay for care are ‘a flawed, unfair policy’ that will not ‘stand the test of time’ and will prevent integration of health and social care under the NHS.
Manchester council scraps school-based police officers
While anti-racism campaigners welcomed the move as “an important step”, they warn it “does not go anywhere near far enough” to remove police influence in Manchester’s schools.
Put people – not profit – at heart of land use, says Liverpool Land Commission
England’s first Land Commission, facilitated by the Manchester-based Centre for Local Economic Strategies, said Liverpool’s leaders should recognise “the true social purpose of land” rather than seeing it just as a “commodity”.
Democratic approach to managing public land called for in open letter to Burnham
Campaigners call for Andy Burnham to uphold his election manifesto promise and introduce a Land Commission in Greater Manchester, following the example set by the Liverpool city region.
Community union ACORN marches against ‘dangerous and undemocratic’ police powers bill
Community union ACORN call on Andy Burnham to speak out against the police powers bill. Rebecca Long-Bailey says the bill ‘represents a slide into authoritarianism.’
Mayoral election candidates answer one simple question – why should I vote for you?
On Thursday Greater Manchester decides who will be the next mayor of the city region. To help you choose who should be honoured with this position of power, we asked the candidates for a succinct summary explaining why you should pick them to become the next mayor.
‘Stay strong, stay determined and stay out on strike’ – activists turn out for Manchester’s bus drivers
Activists attended the picket lines at Queens Road Depot in north Manchester to show solidarity with Go North West bus drivers, as Unite the Union announced new leverage campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Go Ahead Group to return to the negotiating table.
Burnham brings GM bus network back under public control
The metro mayor said the “deregulated” bus network had “not been driven by the needs of our communities, but by bus operators’ responsibilities to their shareholders to make a profit… We can only change that and hold the decline if we bring the buses back under the control of the public.”
Greater Manchester leaders back bringing buses under public control
“On balance, it is in the public interest to make the proposed franchising scheme,” TfGM chief executive Eamonn Boylan told GM council leaders, as they gave the green light on re-franchising the city region’s buses.
Andy Burnham will now make the final decision on introducing a London-style franchise system.