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Furlough scheme to be extended until the end of March 2021

Employees will receive 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, up to £2,500 a month until March 2021.

The Manc The Manc - 5th November 2020

The UK furlough scheme is being extended yet again – this time until March 2021.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the news on Thursday, stating: “To give people across the UK certainty over the winter, I can announce today that the furlough scheme will not be extended for one month – it will be extended until the end of March.

“Employees will receive 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, up to £2,500 a month.”

Sunak also mentioned there would be additional funds made available for the self-employed.

He stated: “We’re increasing the support for millions more workers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

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“The third grant covering November to January will now be calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.”

Emphasising that the “Treasury was for the whole of the United Kingdom”, Sunak added: “The upfront guaranteed funding for the devolved administrations is increasing from £14bn to £16bn.”

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Number 10 / Flickr

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Chancellor said that the policy will be reviewed in January, in order to “decide whether economic circumstances are improving enough to ask employers to contribute more.”

Around £40 billion has been spent on the furlough scheme since it was introduced earlier this year, with 9.6 million people benefitting.

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Trafford Council temporarily bans barbecues, fireworks and more at key local attraction after Dovestone fires

Danny Jones Danny Jones BBQs and fireworks at Sale Water Park banned by Trafford Council

Trafford Council has issued a limited ban on barbecues, fireworks and more at the beloved public attraction and suburban hotspot, Sale Water Park, following the fires near Dovestone Reservoir.

Wildfires and areas of concern remain around the moorland region, which caught fire last weekend.

After a woman was arrested as part of a wider investigation into a group that accidentally caused the ignition, accidental or not, the Greater Manchester borough’s local authority has temporarily restricted BBQs, fireworks, and any other kinds of naked flame.

This is a proactive and preventive measure by the Council in an effort to avoid similar circumstances as those seen in the Saddleworth and Oldham vicinity, with the sight and smell of the smoke still lingering across the region.

As explained in the official update from Trafford Council, while local residents and tourists alike are welcome to bring picnics and cold beverages as they hope to both beat and enjoy the heat, a serious fire risk is still very much present.

Implementing the ban across Sale Water Park in an effort to protect native visitors, wildlife and nearby communities, increased police patrols will be dispatched across the 152-acre patch of grasslands and artificial lake.

While the Manc nature reserve and popular slice of countryside just beyond the outskirts of the city centre will still be open from “dawn until dusk” throughout the week, security staff will also be on site, ready on standby with water and sand available to safely extinguish any fires.

The Council has also reminded people to park responsibly and avoid blocking access routes in and around the parkland, as recent busy periods during the ongoing UK heatwave have led to congestion in and around the park, which can also delay emergency vehicles.

Visitors are encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport where possible.

A Trafford Council spokesperson said in an official statement: “We want everyone to enjoy Sale Water Park safely. However, the current hot and dry conditions mean there is an increased risk of fire, particularly from barbecues, fireworks and naked flames.

“This temporary restriction is a proportionate step to protect people, wildlife and the park itself. Visitors are very welcome to bring cold picnics, but we are asking everyone not to bring or light barbecues while the restriction is in place.

“We’re also asking visitors to park considerately, keep access routes clear and take litter home if bins are full. To avoid the busiest times, people could consider visiting before 9am or later in the evening.”

As for the Dovestone and Tintwistle Moor blaze, the latest is that a suspect’s identity has now been revealed; you can find out more down below.

Woman, 20, publicly named and charged with aggravated arson in relation to Dovestone moorland fire

Read more:

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Featured Images — Namiras1 (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group

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Woman, 20, publicly named and charged with aggravated arson in relation to Dovestone moorland fire

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Fire at Dovestone Reservoir

A woman who was arrested on suspicion of arson as part of the ongoing investigation into a large moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir has now been charged.

She has also been publicly named as 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.

She has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and has been remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (14 July 2026).

After the blaze broke out on Saturday evening at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response that has now entered its third day, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been 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 have also been deployed as operations continue 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.

Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.

Woman arrested on suspicion of arson over moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir

“While we have secured charges against one individual, our investigation remains ongoing,” explained Detective Inspector Andrew Day. “Detectives are carefully reviewing all available evidence to identify anyone else who may have been involved in criminality linked to this incident.”

As criminal proceedings are now active, GMP says it would encourage people to ‘avoid speculation’ online, particularly on social media.

Read more:

Anyone with footage or information that may assist the ongoing investigation can submit it via the Dovestone Fire Evidence Submission Portal here.

Featured Image – GMFRS

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