Britain’s bosses are being urged to let their staff clock off early so they can watch the knockout stages of Euro 2020.
Just 12 teams are still standing in the tournament – with Denmark, Italy, Czech Republic and Belgium all progressing to the quarter-finals with victories over the weekend.
Out of the home nations, only England remain – with Wales eliminated on Saturday and Scotland failing to progress past the group stage.
Gareth Southgate’s men play Germany on Tuesday (June 28) in a bid to make it to the final eight of the competition.
But with kick-off at 5pm, many fans will still be at work when the Three Lions take to the pitch for the massive international fixture at Wembley.
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The Trades Union Congress (TUC) – a national trade union centre – has now told employers to let their staff finish early to watch the game.
England play Germany on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium / Image: Steve via Flickr
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady – an England and Arsenal supporter – said: “Millions of workers around the UK will want to cheer on their national teams in Euro 2020, especially after the tournament was postponed last year.
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“Bosses should talk to their staff and try and let people who want to watch the games do so, either at work or at home and then claim back their time afterwards.
“Whether it’s about major sporting events like Euro 2020, attending a medical appointment or picking up the kids from school, allowing people more flexibility in how and when they do their work makes them happier.
“It cuts absenteeism and raises productivity.”
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Croatia play Spain tonight in Copenhagen at 5pm, with France taking on Switzerland in Bucharest at 8pm.
Two of the Euros 2020 quarter-finals have already been decided – with Belgium playing Italy and Czech Republic going up against Denmark.
A victory for England against Germany will see them drawn against the winner of Sweden and Ukraine – who play at 8pm in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Featured image: Stevie Finney / Flickr
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
The Manc -
28th June 2021 
