Insulate Britain protesters ‘glued to floor’ block M56 near Manchester Airport
Andy Burnham was quick to tweet his disapproval, stating he "can't see how this type of protest does anything other than alienate people from the climate cause".
Climate change protesters from Insulate Britain have blocked the M56 near Manchester Airport, it is being reported.
It appears that a group has blocked the carriageway near Junction 6 of the motorway this morning and is now holding Insulate Britain banners up.
Images from the scene show a group of protesters sitting on the floor near a collection of traffic lights, and some reports are suggesting that protesters have attempted to glue themselves to the floor.
It also seems that a number of police officers appear to be at the scene already.
Image: Insulate Britain
Greater Manchester Police has released a statement: “We’re currently responding to a protest on Wilmslow Road (A538) close to Manchester Airport.
“We’re working at the scene to minimise disruption and we’ll provide updates in due course.
“Delays are expected and we ask people travelling to avoid the area if possible.”
Manchester Airport has also released a statement, which says: “We are aware of protestors gathered on land close to Manchester Airport, which is being handled by the Greater Manchester Police.
“There is no impact on our operations but those planning to travel to the airport should take account of this ahead of their journey.
“Anyone with further enquiries should contact the police or Highways England directly.”
Andy Burnham was quick to tweet his disapproval, stating he “can’t see how this type of protest does anything other than alienate people from the climate cause” – however, he doesn’t offer any suggestions for the type of protest he might deem to be more effective.
I can’t see how this type of protest does anything other than alienate people from the climate cause.
The group of climate change protestors appears to have headed north to coincide with the COP26 talks currently taking place in Glasgow.
This week, dozens of world leaders have already faced calls of hypocrisy for taking private jets to Glasgow whilst telling the world to cut its carbon footprint.
Protests are also taking place today in Birmingham and across Britain, reports The National Scot – with a reverend from Bristol having been arrested by police for taking part in the peaceful acts of disruption and disobedience.
The group is campaining for the UK government to introduce new legislation and funding for better home insulation, which they argue would significantly help in the fight against climate change.
Their key demands are that the government insulate all social housing in the UK by 2025 and retrofit all homes with insulation by 2030.
An offshoot of climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion, their website states: “WE demand the Prime Minister and the government to #getonwiththejob, face up to their responsibility and lead our country through the climate crisis.”
Featured Image – Insulate Britain
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New data reveals a third of Brits admit to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday
Emily Sergeant
Surprising new data has revealed that a third of Brits admits to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday.
After a long and tiring week, most of us would love the chance to clock off work a little earlier than usual on a Friday, but for a lot of workers, this isn’t always a possibility – and for some, they even have to work longer at the end of the week to make sure everything has been finished off and tied up before the weekend arrives.
But since there has been a noticeable rise in remote working and working from home, a new survey has revealed that working attitudes have changed.
Virgin Media has released new broadband data that reveals a drop in traffic on Friday afternoons during the summer months – with as much as an 8% dip between 3-5pm compared to the winter, as remote workers clock off early.
A third of Brits admit to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday / Credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters | Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)
The Friday traffic drop-off comes from Virgin Media’s broadband network analysis, which it says is a ‘reliable indicator’ of the connectivity habits of the British public.
Alongside the network data, Virgin Media also asked Brits about their work policies and working habits ij a bid to fully understand the trend.
Nearly a third (30%) of Brits say they have a formal early Friday finish in place during the summer, but despite almost half of UK adults (48%) saying they’re not authorised to finish early on a Friday, 32% have admitted to regularly logging off with or without official permission.
Surprising new data has revealed Brits’ working habits / Credit: Chuttersnap (via Unsplash)
Many Brits have also confessed to working ‘on the move’ on a Friday afternoon too.
15% admitted to having worked from the train station as the weekend creeps nearer, as well as 14% from the park, 10% from the pub, and many as 30% of 18-24-year-olds worked from the car while travelling for the weekend.
“Our network traffic analysis is revealing changing workplace habits in real time as the nation takes advantage of long summer Fridays,” commented Jeanie York, who is the Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2.
“We’re continuing to boost our fixed and mobile networks so whether Brits are working from their local park, or finishing their work at home, we’re ready to keep them connected.”
Featured Image – Israel Andrade (via Unsplash)
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Tiny Manchester pub brilliantly condemns ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Daisy Jackson
A micropub in Manchester city centre has spoken out about an ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech.
The Victoria Tap, a tiny little boozer at Manchester Victoria train station, strongly condemned any racist, homophobic or sexist conversations taking place in its venue.
The pub said ‘there is absolutely no room for it’ within its walls.
In a statement – which has been met with praise from customers and followers – they added that anyone bringing hate speech to the pub ‘can let the door kick you on the way out’.
The Victoria Tap wrote: “We’ve noticed an alarming rise in racist, homophobic and sexist slurs/comments/conversations lately and we just want to say that there is absolutely no room for it here.
“This is a safe space for everyone.
“If you, or someone in your group, want to disturb this philosophy, you can let the door kick you on the way out.”
The Victoria Tap has brilliantly condemned ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Praising their statement, one person wrote: “Great to read this. There is NO place for this. All public spaces should be welcoming.”
Another said: “Pubs should be welcoming environments for people of all walks of life. There’s no room for misogyny, racism or discrimination of any kind. Those who espouse those thoughts need a good hard look in the mirror.”
Someone else commented: “That’s how I see the Vic Tap. Great place for a safe quiet pint. Keep up the great work guys as it’s a fantastic venue.”
The Victoria Tap opened at Manchester Victoria back in 2023, completely transforming a space that was previously a bin store.
As well as its cosy interior, it has a small beer garden which overlooks the tram tracks in and out of the train station.
It’s operated by the same team behind the Piccadilly Tap and the even newer Oxford Tap.
We know exactly where we’ll be heading for our next pint now. Good work, Victoria Tap.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd November 2021 
