What does a recession mean for Greater Manchester?
These headlines and statements this morning are enough in themselves to set alarm bells ringing, but what does a recession actually mean? And how is this set to impact Manchester moving forwards?
The Chancellor has made no bones about it: The UK is in for tough times.
These headlines and statements this morning are enough in themselves to set alarm bells ringing, but what does a recession actually mean? And how is this set to impact Manchester moving forwards?
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What is a recession and how does it affect people?
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on nations worldwide, causing the value of goods and services – widely known as a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – to plummet.
This has led to economies shrinking.
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When shrinking occurs over two consecutive quarters (basically six months in a row), it is known as a recession.
The last recession was the 2007-08 global financial crisis, when GDP in Britain fell by over 6%.
However, the latest stats from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that GDP in 2020 has fallen by a whopping 20.4%.
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Many big nations have also suffered, with Germany and US suffering large declines.
But the stats show that the UK is officially one of the worst-hit countries in the continent.
What does this mean for Greater Manchester?
Manchester City Council Leader, Sir Richard Leese, has already said that “recovering from the impacts of the coronavirus period and getting the city back on a positive trajectory is the greatest challenge we have faced in our lifetimes.”
The cold hard facts are that many more people in Manchester will lose their jobs as a result of the UK being in a recession.
Finding a new job can also prove more challenging in this sort of economic climate. Companies are left facing increased costs, which may mean they are reluctant to hire.
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Property values can also fall drastically.
However, this recession has long been anticipated. The council is putting a recovery plan in place – where ‘steps will be taken to support the city’s business base and help residents into employment while continuing to bring forward development and initiatives to stimulate the economy’.
Mr. Leese added: “We will be working closely with Manchester residents and businesses, as well as health services and other partner organisations including the voluntary and community sector, to keep this great city moving forwards. We want to ensure that nobody gets left behind and everybody can contribute to the recovery.”
How long will the recession last?
At this point, it is difficult to say.
The most recent UK recession more than 10 years ago lasted for over 12 months, but a lot will depend on how businesses can get back on their feet.
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The expectations are that the economy will see significant improvement if a vaccine is found.
Whilst Chancellor Sunak spoke of ‘difficult choices’ having to be made over the coming months, he did offer a ray of optimism for the tricky path ahead.
“We will get through this,” he pledged.
“And I can assure people that nobody will be left without hope or opportunity.”
News
Bolton has been named the ‘mouldiest’ place in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Bolton has been named the ‘mouldiest’ place in the UK, and it’s joined by two other Greater Manchester towns in the top 10.
Talk about a not-so-coveted title, right?
From damp flats to poorly-ventilated houses, the battle against mould seems to be constant for many UK residents, and while Awaab’s Law – which was named in memory of Rochdale toddler, Awaab Ishak, and introduced back in 2023 – was brought in to tackle this very problem, by mandating faster response times from social housing landlords for dealing with damp-related issues, the problem still continues for homeowners and tenants alike despite this new legislation.
And now, some new research by thermal imaging experts at Tester has revealed where the ‘mouldiest’ places to live in the UK are.
Tester measured the average monthly search volume for various mould-related terms over the past 12 months – including ‘mould removal cost’, and ‘black mould removal’ – to figure out where the mouldiest places in the country are, and devise a top 10 list.
Bolton takes the title of the UK’s mouldiest place, according to the new research, with an average monthly search volume for mould-related terms of 945 per 100,000 people, and ‘magic mould’ being the most-searched term as residents seem eager to find a simple solution to their ever-growing mould problems.
Top 10 ‘mouldiest’ places in the UK
Bolton
Croydon
Manchester
Bath
Bristol
Lincoln
Bournemouth
Norwich
Stockport
Wakefield
Manchester places third on the list, with an average monthly search volume of 922 per 100,000 people, and Stockport also features in the less-than-ideal top 10 at number nine.
Croydon in London claims the runner-up spot on the list, while Bath and Bristol round out the top five alongside Manchester, and Lincoln, Norwich, and Wakefield are some of the other areas to make up the top 10.
A spokesperson for Tester admitted that the surge in searches for mould-related terms in the UK is “worrying to say the least”.
Speaking on the findings from the team’s new research, they continued in a statement: “The study shows that UK residents are actively seeking out mould removal solutions, pointing to a wider problem of mould and mildew growth in homes not being properly dealt with, either by landlords or homeowners themselves.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Man arrested for running around Dunham Massey wearing nothing but a pair of walking boots
Daisy Jackson
A man has been arrested for running around local beauty spot Dunham Massey almost entirely naked.
And according to Greater Manchester Police, it’s not even the first time he’s stripped off in the fields…
While most Mancs will head to the beautiful National Trust site to take in the views of the local wildlife, a handful of walkers got more than they bargained for last week.
The man in question has previously been reported for passing through the Trafford green space starkers, leading to his arrest on 2 May.
He was arrested last week for indecent exposure – and his choice of outfit didn’t leave much to the imagination.
The man was clocked running around Dunham Massey completely naked but for a pair of walking boots.
GMP said: “Male arrested for indecent exposure after being seen running around Dunham Massey naked apart from a pair of walking boots!!
“We have had a number of complaints of this guy doing this previously causing alarm, and so action has been taken.”
Male arrested for indecent exposure after being seen running around Dunham Massey naked apart from a pair of walking boots!! We have had a number of complaints of this guy doing this previously causing alarm, and so action has been taken.
— Altrincham Police (GMP) (@GMPAltrincham) May 2, 2024
One person joked: “Completely inappropriate to go running like that… you’ll never get a PB in walking boots.”
The weather has been pretty nice over the last few days, with temperatures around Manchester climbing all the way to 22 degrees.
And some experts are predicting that Britain could be set for a heatwave with temperatures of 30°C and over in just over a month’s time.
Even if we do get an unseasonably warm spring though, probably best to keep your kecks on while you’re out hiking…