Andy Burnham to attend government meeting this morning to finalise Greater Manchester rules
Burnham is set for a meeting with the government later this morning (15 October) to learn the fate of Greater Manchester - which could be moved to Tier 3.
Mayor Andy Burnham will attend a government meeting this morning to learn the fate of Greater Manchester – which could be moved up to the highest local COVID alert risk category.
The region’s leaders and hospitality members fiercely campaigned against the region being placed into Tier 3 – essentially a local lockdown – when the new tier system was announced on Monday (12 October).
And they appeared to have won.
Later that afternoon, in the House of Commons, Boris Johnson confirmed that only Liverpool City Region would be ranked within the ‘very high’ risk category – with Greater Manchester instead placed in Tier 2.
But within hours, discussions were already taking place as to whether Greater Manchester (along with Lancashire, our Tier 2 and geographical neighbours) should in fact be reclassified.
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A move to Tier 3 would mean the closure of pubs and bars (that do not serve food), gyms and bookmakers, as well as a complete ban on all household mixing.
But local leaders have pledged to fight the restrictions all over again – even threatening legal action.
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“Since one meeting on Friday, the Government has not discussed these matters with us,” Mayor Andy Bunrham stated.
“Instead, the pressure is being piled on via media briefings. Later today I will set out why the current Tier 3 proposal is fundamentally flawed and why we won’t accept it.”
Despite saying he would make no comment until Thursday’s meeting, Burnham said he “felt compelled to do so” after hearing the news.
“At no point during tonight’s briefing was this news communicated to us,” he tweeted.
“Media told first once again. Our position has not changed.”
Said I wasn’t going to comment but now feel compelled to do so on the back of this Government briefing.
At no point during tonight’s briefing was this news communicated to us. Media told first once again. Our position has not changed. pic.twitter.com/A9V3Tbdisv
Burnham is set for a meeting with the government later this morning (15 October) to learn the fate of Greater Manchester.
Manchester MPs will be talking to the Minister of State Helen Whatley at 10.45am.
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This could be the second time the government has rapidly changed measures for Greater Manchester just hours after making them law.
Back in September, ministers announced they would lift restrictions in Bolton and Trafford – which included a ban on households mixing indoors – only to reimpose these rules on the same day both boroughs were due to be released.
Following the meetings with local MPs this morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to provide an official update in the House of Commons.
News
New measures announced to tackle ‘rogue’ landlords across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A cohort of trained enforcement officers are set to hit the streets in all 10 boroughs to help improve the lives of the region’s renters.
Forming part of Greater Manchester‘s commitment to the highest-quality housing standards alongside the Good Landlord Charter, the newly trained enforcement officers will be tasked with protecting tenants, joining Council teams in checking rental properties, bringing enforcement action against bad landlords, and cracking down on illegal practices.
The introduction of the new enforcement officers comes after what has been ‘years of sustained pressure’ on local budgets.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says it is working with the 10 councils across the region to strengthen local teams, rebuild in-house skills and expertise, and ensure that powers can be applied with consistency in all boroughs.
As mentioned, this all forms part of the Good Landlord Charter – which is GMCA’s ‘bold approach’ to drive up standards for renters across the region.
Landlords of more than half of rented properties in Greater Manchester have now signed up as supporters of the Charter, and as supporters, they have committed to going above and beyond legal minimums to improve the renting experience for hundreds of thousands of people.
“A safe place to call home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life,” explained Mayor Bev Craig. “But for years, people have felt trapped in poor-quality housing, and cash-strapped councils were unable to step in to help. I’m putting an end to that.
“We know there are plenty of good landlords in Greater Manchester, and many of them have already signed up to our Good Landlord Charter, but too many are just not good enough.
“That’s why we’re deploying a new generation of expert housing officers onto the streets of our towns and cities.”
Mayor Bev Craig declared that she ‘won’t stand by and let rogue landlords take advantage of people’.
She continued: “By empowering renters, working with responsible landlords, and using our powers to crack down on the bad ones, I will make sure everyone in Greater Manchester has the foundation for a good life.”
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
News
One million UK adults who have never smoked before are now vaping, new stats reveal
Emily Sergeant
More than a million UK adults who claim to have never smoked cigarettes are now vaping.
According to alarming new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), relating to people aged 16 and over, around 2.8 million men (11.3%) and 2.1 million women (8.2%) are thought to be smokers in the UK… but more than a million people, who have never smoked before, have now made the decision to start vaping instead.
People in the 25 to 34 age group were found to be the most likely to vape, according to the data, overtaking those aged 16 to 24, as it was the only age group to see a rise in e-cigarette usage.
Daily or occasional vaping is still higher than the proportion of people smoking cigarettes too, the ONS revealed, at 5.4 million, or 9.9%, versus 4.8 million (8.7%).
One million UK adults who have never smoked are now vaping / Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels) | Pxhere
“Fewer than one in 10 adults now smoke,” commented David Mais, from the ONS.
“This is the lowest proportion on record and continues the long-term decline in smoking. [But] at the same time, e-cigarette use remains more common than smoking and has followed an overall upward trend since 2020.
“E-cigarette users are also getting older, with those aged 25 to 34 now overtaking 16 to 24-year-olds as the age group most likely to use them.
The Manc -
15th October 2020 
