A number of primary schools across Greater Manchester have chosen to remain closed today amid fears over spiking COVID-19 rates.
Despite the latest average infection rate numbers in England increasing by 23% week on week to 509 cases per 100,000 people, the UK government announced that primary schools in Tier 4 areas – outside of London – should remain open.
Throughout Greater Manchester, the rate still remains below that of the national average at 278.5 per 100,000 people, but it is seen to be increasing at a sharper speed, with the region recording a 36% rise in cases week on week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday during an interview on The Andrew Marr Show that “schools are safe” and primary school parents should send their children back as they reopened their gates today, despite growing pressure from unions to keep them closed.
Paul Whiteman – General Secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT – said it was “very hard to tell” how many schools would be open for the start of the term. He added: “Some schools in Tier 4 areas will be open for vulnerable pupils and key worker families and will be providing remote learning for others, yet in other areas also in Tier 4, all pupils will be admitted,”
“That’s a confusing picture for school leaders and families alike.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also said it was “inevitable” that more schools will close and urged the government to come up with a plan on children’s learning and for working parents.
Parents should send their children to primary school in the areas where they are open, says the Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/MVHv7tXR9y
— Department for Education (@educationgovuk) January 3, 2021
This has lead a growing number of primary schools across the region to remain shut today.
Unlike other areas, the majority of councils across Greater Manchester have not called on all their schools to close, but have said they will support any individual school that makes the decision.
Headteachers at each of the schools to announce closure so far across the region have stated that staff members being advised by teaching unions not to attend work on to health and safety grounds as the reasoning for remaining closed.
22 primary schools across the region have already confirmed they will not be reopening today, with more expected to keep their doors shut throughout the morning.
The institutions which have remained closed today are:
St. Mary’s C.E. High Crompton Primary School, Oldham
Knowsley Junior School, Oldham
Holy Trinity C of E School, Oldham
Mount Carmel R.C, Blakley
Oswald Road Primary, Chorlton
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Wythenshawe
Birchfields Primary School, Fallowfield
Pictor Academy, Altrincham
Longford Park School, Stretford
Barton Clough Primary School, Stretford
St Mark’s CE Primary School, Newtown
Lowercroft Primary School, Bury
Lily Lane Primary School, Moston
New Moston Primary School, New Moston
Abbott Community Primary School, Collyhurst
Mills Hill Primary School, Chadderton
Ashfield Valley Primary School, Rochdale
Little Heaton CE Primary School, Middleton
St Anne’s RC Primary School, Crumpsall
Manor Green Primary Academy, Denton
Broomwood Primary School, Timperley
Acre Hall Primary School, Flixton
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Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build underground tram and train line in Manchester by 2050
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has announced some ambitious long-term plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester.
As Greater Manchester sets its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a ‘second city’ to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Mayor Andy Burnham shared the city region’s blueprint for a ‘greener, fairer future’ this week – with underground transport plans being right the heart of it.
Mr Burnham says his vision for the next decade is to create a ‘thriving’ city region where everyone can ‘live a good life’.
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester / Credit: TfGM
But it’s public transport where it seems some of the most significant changes are set to be made before 2050 arrives.
The Mayor revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines, and train stations to connect ‘thriving communities’ across the city region with an integrated lower-cost transport system that’ll help more people get out and access new opportunities.
Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will also start by 2028, it has been confirmed, while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport – which has already been announced to huge support – will begin by 2030.
Two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network next December as well, with another six joining by 2028.
GM is growing fast.
We will expand @BeeNetwork over the next decade to meet the needs of our bigger economy.
BUT
There’s a limit to what we can do on a congested surface.
It’s why I am asking TfGM to start planning for an underground for GM around a remodelled Piccadilly. pic.twitter.com/k2ozNWw6Wj
The headline-grabbing announcement, though, has to be that Mr Burnham has also announced plans to unlock ‘transformative’ investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050, Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool.
He’s also looking to boost regeneration of the surrounding area, effectively making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’.
“We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, “and our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents.
“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
“There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.”