Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) figures are reportedly set to appear on British coins and notes for the first time ever following campaigns for currency to be more inclusive.
According to Treasury Minister John Glen, who spoke to the Sunday Telegraph, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is believed to be considering this move after campaigners issued proposals.
Mr Glen told the paper that Mr Sunak was “keen to support the timely proposal”.
He continued: “The Chancellor is aware of this. We are obviously supportive and keen to be positive about it, we need to see some firm proposals from the Royal Mint but we are keen for this to happen”.
The reports come after the Backnotes of Colour campaign lead by Zehra Zaidi – former Conservative Party parliamentary candidate – which has been fighting for wider representation as no non-white person has ever featured on a British coin or note.
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Speaking to BBC News, Ms Zaidi stated that: “Who we have on our legal tender – our notes and our coins – builds into a narrative of who we think we are as a nation,”
“People from all backgrounds helped build Britain.”
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She continued: “We must tell the story of inclusive representation as it matters for cohesion and it matters in the narrative of who we are as a nation.”
BAME figures such as Walter Tull – the British Army’s first black officer – have been featured on commemorative coins in the past, but “commemorative coins are not the same as legal tender because legal tender acts as a passport, an ambassador,” says Ms Zaidi.
Rishi Sunak has reportedly asked the Royal Mint to come up with new designs honouring BAME figures.
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Among the figures believed to be currently under consideration for a feature on coins and banknotes include British-Jamaican Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole, Noor Inayat Khan – who was a World War II agent and one of only four women to have received the George Cross – and also the first Indian and Gurkha soldiers.
Mr Sunak has previously expressed support for the anti-racist cause – highlighted by the Black Lives Matter protests – and supported calls for a widespread change in attitudes in race.
He stated that: “As a British Asian of course I know that racism exists in this country, and I know people are angry and frustrated.”
“They want to see, and feel, change.”
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Heartbreaking new figures show 35% of all children in the North West are living in poverty
Emily Sergeant
35% of all children in the North West are currently living in poverty, some heartbreaking new figures have revealed.
Some new research carried out to understand regional levels of child poverty, conducted by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, has sadly revealed over a third (35%) of all children in the North West are living in what is called ‘relative poverty’, after the cost of housing is considered – which is higher than the national average standing at 31%.
Over in the Lancashire authority of Pendle, this figure reaches 45%, making it the second highest rate of all local authorities in the country.
In Greater Manchester, both Oldham and Manchester join Pendle in the list of the 10 council areas with the highest child poverty rates in the UK, as well as Blackburn with Darwen, and Hyndburn, and to make matters worse, the North West features on the list more times than any other region nationwide.
Rusholme was identified as the Manchester area with the highest percentage rating – with more than half (51.3%) of all children there living in poverty.
88% of constituencies across the North West have a quarter of children in poverty.
This could lead to things like families being forced to use food banks, children going without warm clothes in winter, or living in cold or unsafe housing.
As a result of these shocking statistics being revealed, the End Child Poverty Coalition – which represents more than 135 organisations across the UK – is calling on the Government to meet its manifesto commitment to address these high levels of child poverty, not just in the North West but also across the rest of country.
“These figures should demonstrate to Government just how important it is to quickly address this so to prevent another generation of children from growing up in low-income families,” commented Rachel Walters, who is the End Child Poverty Coalition Manager.
“The Government’s strategy to tackle child poverty must invest in children in areas with higher levels of poverty, like the North West.”
Graham Whitham, who is a End Child Poverty Coalition spokesperson and the Chief Executive of Resolve Poverty, added: “No child should go without the things they need to be healthy and happy.
“The Government’s forthcoming national Child Poverty Strategy must demonstrate a clear ambition to ending child poverty in this country, backed by specific targets and immediate investment in social security.”
Featured Image – RawPixel
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Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road to close for annual safety checks this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road is set to close this weekend while annual safety checks are carried out, it has been confirmed.
As Manchester City Council looks to maintain and improve what is, by far, one of Manchester’s busiest and most-used roads, given the fact it is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, it has been confirmed that Mancunian Way is set to close overnight this weekend for its annual inspection.
Carried out every year, the Council explains that these closures ensure that ‘vital’ safety inspections can be conducted to allow the major road to continue operating as normal.
The overnight closure will take place from 7-8 June.
From 5am on Saturday (7 June), Mancunian Way will be closed in both directions along its entire length, including all slip roads, between the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street, and this will last until 7pm on Sunday (8 June), after which the road will be open to traffic again as normal.
In the meantime while the closures are underway, the Council assures that a signed diversion route will be in place via the north and eastern ring road sections – Trinity Way and Great Ancoats Street – and a local diversion route will be signed via Bridgewater Street, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, and Fairfield Street.
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road Mancunian Way is closing for annual safety checks this weekend / Credit: Pixabay
During this period there will also be a lane closure east/westbound at the Deansgate Interchange between 6:30-9:30am, and the inbound lane of Princess Road (heading towards Manchester) between 6:30am and 11:15am.
As is to be expected with these kinds of tasks, Councillors say they are preparing for a ‘level of disruption’ but are intending to keep it to a minimum.
“The annual inspection of the Mancunian Way is a vital job which ensures that the tens of thousands of daily users of this road can go about their journey in safety,” explained Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment, and Transport.
“We do expect a level of disruption throughout this process so wherever possible we’d advise people to travel via public transport, or plan an alternate route ahead to avoid the work locations.
Emily Sergeant -
27th July 2020 
