Six tech giants from Silicon Valley, dubbed the “Silicon Six” have dodged paying over a $100bn in tax within the last decade, says a report released by the Fair Tax Mark. With austerity driven cuts to social services hitting people hard across the UK, what the two main parties in the General Election are promising […]
Student occupation at University of Manchester ends in commitment to review fossil fuel investments
The University of Manchester has promised to reconsider its fossil fuel investments, in response to a successful occupation by student activists highlighting the University’s extensive investments in the fossil fuel industry. Pressure applied by environmental campaigners has led to the University of Manchester committing to review its fossil fuel investment portfolio after students staged a […]
Franchised bus system would ‘give better value for money’ for Mancunians says Sir Richard Leese
Public meeting saw Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, weigh in on the side of re-regulating the GM bus system in a franchised, London like model. Greater Manchester’s buses would be better value for money, more convenient and accountable if publicly controlled, an audience heard at a panel discussion organised by the Better Buses […]
Sir Richard Leese says ‘we are open to working with anybody’ – we asked campaign groups what they thought (pt.3)
In response to a recent blog post by Sir Richard Leese, we’ve been asking local groups to share their experiences of working Manchester City Council. Sir Richard Leese says the council are open to working with any parties interested in environmental and development issues. The following article by Pete Abel of Manchester Friends of the […]
Unicorn Grocery strives to help communities co-operate and ‘grow their own groceries’
In the heart of lively Chorlton-cum-Hardy you can find the fabled unicorn. This particular specimen is no mono-pointed myth, it is the thriving Unicorn Grocery Workers’ Cooperative. A member-run supermarket selling affordable, wholesome food, with a focus on organic, local and fair trade produce. Located on Albany Road and run by it’s motivated worker-owners, the […]
Sir Richard Leese says ‘we are open to working with anybody’ – we asked campaign groups what they thought (pt.2)
A recent blog post by Sir Richard Leese suggested the city council was doing well in its work to address the climate emergency and its handling of development issues in the city. He also said that they were willing to work with any parties interested in these issues. Five people, representing different interest groups in […]
Five reasons why Greater Manchester buses must be re-regulated
Last week consultation began over the future of buses in Greater Manchester. Since deregulation in the 1980s bus usage has declined while prices have risen. Change is needed and there are two main options to choose from. Re-regulation in the form of franchising or a private bus company backed partnership model. This is the case […]
Work for Change says co-ops are about ‘sharing wealth rather than grabbing it’
The creative spirit and sense of community that characterised pre-regeneration Hulme in the 1980s and 90s lives on at Work For Change, a co-operatively managed workspace that gives its tenants excellent rates, friendly informal business advice and a say in how the building is managed. Their home on Old Birley Street in Hulme includes, offices, […]
Proposal to develop Central Retail Park into a car park represents the very worst of urban development in Manchester
Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal argue that the city council’s plans to turn the former Central Retail Park into a car park will increase traffic pollution, damage health and fail to tackle the climate crisis that the council has previously declared. The proposal by Manchester City Council to develop the site of the […]
How a small act of kindness led to safe drinking water for a village in Ghana
On a ferry boat on the Volta River, while travelling around Ghana in 2003, Manchester-based laughter consultant Robin Graham was offered food and accommodation by the boat pilot, Kove-Yaw. A friendship was started by this kind offer. Kove-Yaw was the founder of an NGO named Kids Foundation Inc, set up to empower women and children, […]