Government overhaul of planning system ‘absolute sham’ says Manchester councillor

Councillors, researchers and campaigners are united in their criticism of new government plans that will see planning powers taken away from local authorities. The government’s plans to overhaul the planning system in England has been met with fierce criticism from politicians, researchers, and campaigners in Manchester. While Boris Johnson says the changes will make it […]

‘Carry on asking questions’ Andy Burnham tells primary school reporters ignored by Boris Johnson

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and children’s commissioner of England answered Manchester Media Club mini-reporters’ questions in live press conferences and encouraged them to keep trying to have their voices heard. Mini-reporters from Greater Manchester interviewed Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor and Anne Longfield, children’s commissioner for England, about their post-pandemic future. The six […]

Police Taser use increase poses growing ‘threat to life’, report warns

“Tasers should be abolished” say authors of Resistance Lab report which shows Greater Manchester Police increased their Taser use by 73% in a year. A significant increase in Taser usage by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) poses a growing “threat to life”, particularly against BAME groups and people with mental and physical disabilities, the report says. […]

No affordable housing in four high rise developments, with 4,755 bed spaces, being decided on by reinstated Planning Committee

Manchester City Council’s full Planning Committee returns and four huge developments are on the table. Co-living towers, some of which breach national guidelines on livable space and two 51 storey skyscrapers with no affordable housing, are to be decided on. Manchester City Council’s Planning Committee sits again on 30 July tasked with signing off on […]

Outpouring of love for Nexus Art Cafe as Covid forces its closure

Nexus Art Cafe, after shutting its doors in March for the Covid-19 lockdown, announced on Monday it would not reopen. Patrons and supporters of the not-for-profit arts and events space reacted with dismay but also love, recounting their memories in the venue and offering their thanks to the Nexus team. Nexus announced the closure via […]

Manchester City Council under fire for climate crisis inaction 

Manchester City Council has not kept its promises of emergency action on climate change, a new report coordinated by Climate Emergency Manchester has found. Manchester City Council is one of seven UK city councils which has not kept its promises of emergency action on climate change, according to a new report.  The report by Climate […]