Boris Johnson has today called Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone plan “completely unworkable”.
He has said to expect an update on the scheme “within days”.
The Prime Minister’s claim regarding the scheme’s effectiveness came in response to Conservative MP for Leigh, James Grundy, during PMQs in the House of Commons this afternoon, who said the plan would be a “job-destroying tax” on “ordinary workers”.
When Mr Grundy asked whether the Prime Minister would “intervene”, Mr Johnson responded admitting that “we must find an alternative that doesn’t punish local residents.”
Mr Grundy said: “The Greater Manchester Mayoral Clean Air Zone scheme, effectively a congestion charge affecting all 500 square miles of Greater Manchester, including my constituents in Leigh, is a job-destroying tax on ordinary workers.
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“We all want clean air, but the model proposed by Mayor Burnham is unworkable and economically devastating with charges of £60 per day, per lorry driver.
“Taxis, white van men, even buses, will be affected by it.
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“Will the PM intervene to prevent Mayor Burnham from inflicting this disastrous Labour scheme on Greater Manchester?”
In response to Mr Grundy’s question, Mr Johnson said: “I know from my own experience how vital it is when you’re trying to clean up air in a great city that you do not unjustly penalise business and small business and it’s become clear that the scheme proposed by the Labour mayor in Manchester is completely unworkable, would do more damage to businesses and residents in Manchester.
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“So we must find an alternative that doesn’t punish local residents.”
He added that the Secretary of State for the Environment, George Eustice, will be saying more about this in the coming days.”
The Prime Minister’s response today comes after it was confirmed a couple of weeks ago that Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone plan had been referred back to the government for review over concerns it will cause “real hardship” for some residents in the region.
The idea that the plan would be referred back to the government was already on the cards after Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) issued a statement on the matter, with bosses explaining that there is a “fundamental concern” that certain global and national factors may “impact on the ability” of local businesses and individuals to upgrade their vehicles, and whether the current support package agreed with government of £120 million would be sufficient.
The authority said that “emerging evidence” from businesses and trade has highlighted significant challenges related to supply chain issues and inflation.
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They also said that more money is needed for taxis, vans, minibuses, and coaches.
/ Credit: Wikimedia Commons
What is the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone?
In case you haven’t noticed, signs informing members of the public that the controversial scheme will begin to take effect from 30 May 2022 have been going up across the region over the last couple of months, with the roadside cameras to enforce the new policy across said to be being installed later on this year.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be used enforce any non-payment of daily charges that will come with the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone.
The Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is said to be “designed to protect everyone’s health by bringing harmful nitrogen dioxide air pollution at the roadside within legal limits as soon as possible.”
While private cars, motorbikes, and mopeds won’t be affected, some vehicles that do not meet emissions standards – known as ‘non-compliant vehicles’ – will be charged to drive in the Clean Air Zone, with charges ranging from £7.50 for taxis and private hire vehicles, and £10 for vans and minibuses, all the way through to £60 for buses, coaches, and HGVs.
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Daily charges will also occur for campervans and motorhomes too, depending on the tax class of the vehicle.
The Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is said to be “designed to protect everyone’s health” / Credit: Twitter (@FSBManchester)
As much of the region has started to become more aware of the scheme since signs have gone up, and have begun to learn of the charges involved, this has thus prompted critique and generated widespread conversation on how local businesses will be affected.
The petition is aiming to “stop [the scheme] in its tracks”.
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“Can you remember being asked by [Andy Burnham] or anyone in Greater Manchester if you wanted this? We were not. What sort of democracy is that? We need to stop this in its tracks,” the person who set up the petition exclaimed.
Some environmentalists, however, believe the scheme does not go far enough.
You can find out more about the Clean Air Zone charges for different vehicles, and the financial support on offer here.
11 people arrested during early-morning police raids across Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested following a series of early morning police raids across Manchester this week.
In what formed part of Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) operation to disrupt, deter, and crack down on gang-related criminality across the region, officers from local neighbourhood teams, along with the Tactical Aid Unit, conducted warrants at seven addresses in Gorton and Openshaw, securing a total of 11 arrests along the way.
Nine males and two women, all between the ages of 16 and 28, were arrested.
They were each arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and assault, and with investigations currently ongoing, they remain in custody for questioning.
#ARREST | Eleven arrested with drugs and weapons seized across multiple morning warrants in #Manchester
Nine men and two women, aged between 16 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and assault. pic.twitter.com/onhDiqG4vb
Not only that, but police also seized a quantity of class A and B drugs, weapons including knives, and other ‘suspicious items’ for further investigation too.
Police say this ‘renewed work’ in targeting urban street gangs in the Manchester area comes off the back of a number of violent incidents in recent months – particularly including the shooting of a teenager in October.
Further activity and ‘proactive action’ is planned in the coming months as part of the ongoing operation, which, according to GMP, will see more criminality targeted, more arrests and charges, and more work with local partners to reduce and prevent all manner of crimes.
11 people have been arrested during early-morning police raids across Manchester / Credit: GMP
“We simply will not tolerate incidents which see young people being left with devastating injuries, lifelong issues, and being trapped in a vicious cycle from which they struggle to break out of,” commented Inspector Dan Pickavance, from GMP’s North Manchester neighbourhood team, following the raids this week.
“Our work today is designed to stop exactly those things.
“We want to get people who we suspect of crime off the streets, seize deadly weapons, and get drugs out of supply before they end up in the hands of vulnerable people.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Five Manchester bars have just been named in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars
Daisy Jackson
Five bars in Manchester have just received one of the industry’s highest accolades – a place in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars.
In a glittering ceremony down in London today, the best in the cocktail industry were crowned, and our city has a lot to be proud of.
Manchester now has five cocktail bars in the Top 50, with two new entries this year.
And while Schofield’s has been toppled from the top spot this year, this award-winning bar on Quay Street is still heading home with a podium finish, now ranked the third-best bar in the entire UK.
One of the new faces on the prestigious list is Stray, a beautiful cocktail bar tucked into a corner of Mackie Mayor.
Famed for its tomato vine margaritas, as well as the pain-staking effort the team goes to to infuse their own spirits and make their own cordials, Stray has deservedly debuted at number 25. And we have a feeling they’re just getting started.
Red Light is another new name on the list, after taking home the coveted ‘One To Watch’ award in 2024.
Red LightStrayBlinker
The gorgeous LGBTQ+ cocktail bar on Little David Street at Kampus has placed 40th.
Blinker has held on to a place in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list, dropping down to 22nd – still a phenomenal achievement for the Spring Gardens boozer.
Blinker has a dedicated martini menu, and also serves them alongside retro Breville toasties.
And finally, last but not least, Speak In Code on Jackson’s Row jumped up into 11th place.
This fantastic brick-lined bar opened properly (it was a pop-up before) just five years ago and it’s consistently topped national lists of the best bars ever since.
There were also amazing results for our sister cities in Sheffield and Leeds, with The Pearl at Parkhill at 44 and Public at 39 for the former, and Tabula Rasa at 27 and Below Stairs at 11 for the latter.
A huge congratulations to all these very worthy winners.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2022 
