Guest article from The Salford Star: Bolton Royal Hospital workers are celebrating a massive victory after taking two days of strike action over pay parity in the NHS earlier this month, supported by Salford UNISON and many other trade unionists. The workers, who include cleaners, catering staff, porters and security staff, are employed by Bolton […]
Salford MP rails against government as fracking begins in Fylde
Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, slated the Tory Government in Parliament on Monday, pointing out “What a terrible irony it is that the first day of Green Great Britain Week is the day that fracking is due to commence…” Today, Vivienne Westwood performed a break dance to Abba’s Dancing Queen on Cuadrilla’s ‘draconian injunction […]
At least 449 people died while homeless in the UK, over the last twelve months
As homelessness and the misery it entails increases across the United Kingdom, a collaboration by local journalists, charities and outreach groups has for the first time recorded the numbers of homeless deaths over a year. A figure which national and local authorities scandalously fail to calculate, collate and publish, despite the growing homelessness crisis. The […]
Save the Salford Star CD released
After 13 years and over 5,000 articles, the Salford Star is in danger of closing for good, as the company will run out of money at the end of November. The Salford Star gets no funding and only exists thanks to donations from readers. Now, the Sounds of Salford radio, which began with a feature […]
No social rent housing built in Salford and just 15 Section 106 houses gained
Guest article from The Salford Star: Latest figures published by the Government for 2016/17 show that no social rent housing was built in Salford, while just 15 houses were gained through Section 106 agreements – all of which were either for the more expensive ‘affordable’ rent or shared ownership. This is just more proof of […]
In Salford 79% of Universal Credit tenants are in rent arrears
Guest article from the Salford Star: Figures released in a new report to be seen by Salford councillors next week show that 79% of housing tenants claiming Universal Credit are in arrears averaging £689. This compares with 33.6% of tenants not claiming Universal Credit in arrears with average balance of £414. Campaigners have labelled the […]
Salford Council reveals staggering levels of homelessness
Guest article from The Salford Star: As the Homelessness Reduction Act kicks in this month, Salford City Council is about to publish its new 44-page Homeless Strategy which reveals shocking and staggering levels of homelessness in the city. Included in the report is the fact that Salford has a higher level of rough sleeping than […]
‘No compassion’ as Manchester homeless squat evicted
Guest article from the Salford Star: Monday’s early morning eviction of a squat above the BefFred shop opposite Manchester Town Hall has been roundly condemned by housing campaigners, as 17 homeless people were put back on the streets. Greater Manchester Housing Action stated “shame on whoever it was that made the decision to evict”; while […]
BBC local democracy reporter sham as contracts handed to Manchester Evening News publisher
Guest story from the Salford Star: The BBC has announced that its new massively funded Local Democracy Reporter scheme is set to benefit the profit-driven mainstream media, with Manchester Evening News publisher, Trinity Mirror, getting six funded reporters in Greater Manchester. The Salford Star pulled out of the process months ago, with the board telling […]
Greater Manchester people to exchange ideas for ending housing crisis
Guest article from the Salford Star: An open ‘housing ideas exchange’ this Thursday aims to bring people from the community together with professionals, academics, activists and charities to “inspire and encourage new ideas around the housing crisis”. Anyone can attend and take part. Lack of affordable housing, private rent hikes, tenants’ rights and homelessness are […]