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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‘Prolific’ South Manchester burglar jailed for thefts which included peanuts…
Daisy Jackson
A ‘prolific’ burglar has been jailed for just over two years, for numerous thefts including sunglasses, airpods, and peanuts…
The man was caught red-handed inside someone’s property, where he claimed he was just wanting a glass of water – but was found by police officers to have the resident’s car keys in his pocket.
Fazal Alnesi, 26, from Moss Side, was then linked to a number of other burglaries, attempted burglaries, and thefts across South Manchester.
Fazal was sentenced to 27 months at Manchester Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to offences including six counts of burglary in June of this year.
He was arrested on 12 June, when a man returned to his home in Fallowfield in the early hours of the morning and discovered Fazal inside his address.
He claimed he was there because he wanted a glass of water but subsequently refused to leave, which led to police being called.
Officers placed Alnensi in handcuffs and found the resident’s car keys in his pocket, as well as indications that he’d been rummaging through the man’s drawers.
He was later linked to other thefts include a wrench set from a car, a pedal cycle worth £350, airpods, sunglasses – and even peanuts from one address.
He additionally took an electric bike charger from one address worth hundreds of pounds.
PC Jon Holden, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Alnensi took various items from several homes and cars across a two-week period earlier this year, making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods.
“Ultimately, Alnensi left people feeling unsafe in his own home, and I am glad he is now behind bars.
“Our team will investigate all burglaries, and I would encourage people to get in touch with us – all intelligence helps us lock up criminals and bring them to justice.”
The top 10 ‘happiest’ places to live in the North West in 2026 have been named
Emily Sergeant
The top 10 happiest places to live in the North West have been named for 2026.
It comes as Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index this week, just as it has done for the last 14 years now, exploring exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlighting the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year – with thousands of residents across more than 200 locations providing feedback.
The residents told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community, from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.
The survey also outlined the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
So, when it comes to the North West as a whole then, where do we have in the top 10?
Well, to kick things off, you may have already seen that one Lancashire market town has earned its place in the top 10 nationwide, not just for the North West region – and that’s Chorley.
Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley – which is is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.
But aside from the national top 10, when it comes to the regional top 10, the next two towns following Chorley in second and third are both in Greater Manchester.
The North West’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026
Chorley
Stockport
Altrincham
Chester
Macclesfield
Southport
Kendal
Wirral
Northwich
Carlisle
Altrincham has been named one of the North West’s happiest places to live / Credit: The Manc Group
The ever-thriving Stockport comes in at number two, followed by Trafford favourite Altrincham directly behind it at number three.
Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.
Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.
“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Wikimedia Commons)
Emily Sergeant -
17th May 2022 
