Andy Burnham has today outlined his commitment to oppose all forms of conversion therapy in Greater Manchester.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester has made the commitment on what is this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) – a day which was first created back in 2004 and aims to represent a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
Marked annually on 17 May – commemorating the World Health Organization’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990 – IDAHOBIT is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal.
This year, Mr Burnham has joined forces on IDAHOBIT with Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Panel to announce a commitment to oppose the practice of conversion therapy in our region.
The Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Panel believes that the region’s people and communities are “our strongest voice for change”, and believes that through policy, research, action, and example, lives can be changed for the better.
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The panel is looking to make the region a “global example” of a respectful and safe place to live, work, and play.
🗣“Greater Manchester should be a safe city-region for everyone, and we are committed to ending conversion therapy for all members of the LGBTQ+ community"
On #IDAHOBIT Andy and the LGBTQ+ panel have announced a commitment to oppose conversion therapy
— Mayor of Greater Manchester (@MayorofGM) May 17, 2022
Announcing his commitment to opposing conversion therapy and calling on other local organisations to join him in this opposition, Mr Burnham said in a statement today: “Greater Manchester should be a safe city-region for everyone, and we are committed to ending conversion therapy for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
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“Conversion therapy is a practice where an individual or organisation seeks an intervention with a predetermined outcome to change, cure or suppress the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person [and] just as we won’t do business with those who promote discrimination or division, we believe that organisations that support, promote or facilitate conversion therapy for any member of the LGBTQ+ community should not be receiving public funding.
“Those organisations that support, promote, or facilitate conversion therapy or which campaign against the ending of conversion therapy should not be able to provide services on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, or to receive support from the GMCA or its affiliated community funding streams.
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“I urge all public bodies, organisations and businesses in Greater Manchester to sign up to this commitment.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale for £2
Emily Sergeant
Millions of train tickets are currently on sale for just £2 each, as Northern has brought its popular ‘Flash Sale’ back for 2026.
A whopping FOUR MILLION of them, to be exact.
For the last couple of years, the rail operator has made life a little easier for train travellers by giving them the chance to grab one of several million tickets for much cheaper than normal – and now, with the cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt, Northern has decided to kick off the autumn season by slashing prices once again.
It means that millions of people will have the opportunity to make a cut-price journey across the north of England before the end of October is out.
With the company’s regular ‘Flash Sales’ having gone onto become a, somewhat, legendary event at this point, it probably comes as no shock that you’ll need to act fast if you want to be in with a chance of get your hands tickets.
Tickets went live today and the sale runs for three days, closing on Friday 4 September – with tickets valid for travel between 9 September and 23 October 2026.
The top local destinations with the most tickets available in the sale are Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport, Manchester Victoria, and Manchester Oxford Road, as well as Wigan and several other neighbouring towns.
A list of routes where tickets will be available can also be found using the ‘cheap fare finder’ tool on the Northern website here.
Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale from £2 / Credit: Northern | Wikimedia Commons
“With four million tickets up for grabs, this is one of our biggest Flash Sales yet, and there’s something for everyone,” commented Alex Hornby, who is the Commercial and Customer Director at Northern.
“With millions of tickets available for just £2 each, our Flash Sale will make the railway even more appealing, and we believe it will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to countryside and stunning coastlines.
“Customers will need to book early to avoid disappointment, as once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
Tickets are available to buy on Northern’s app, online, at ticket offices, and on ticket machines at stations managed by Northern.
Featured Image – Northern
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Four people named and charged in relation to wildfires near Dovestone Reservoir
Emily Sergeant
Four people have been charged in relation to the devastating wildfires near Dovestone Reservoir over the summer.
They have also been publicly named by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as Tyler Warburton, Toby Wilde, Jake Eyre, and Lyreec Bryan-Gavin, all aged between 18 and 22-years-old.
The four men have each been charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, while Wilde and Eyre have also been charged possession of class B (cannabis) on top of that.
They have all been bailed ahead of a scheduled court appearance on 25 February 2027 at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede had been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14 July.
The charges relate to the blaze that broke out on the evening of Saturday 11 July at the popular beauty spot in Oldham – prompting a major multi-agency response, with fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies were also been deployed as operations continued across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
Officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry, and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved by appealing to the public.
Can you help? Anyone with footage or information that may assist the investigation can submit it via the Dovestone Fire Evidence Submission Portal here.
Emily Sergeant -
17th May 2022 
