The devastating impact of COVID-19 on the Manchester economy has just been laid bare – with research revealing the pandemic will cost the city £732m by the end of 2020/21 alone.
According to GMCA, the total net deficit facing local government finance is £368m when taking grants and reserves into account.
The ten Greater Manchester councils are estimating additional costs of £225m – with £71m spent on increased adult social care, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and reduction in charging income (day support).
An extra £18m will go towards children’s social care, £13m on education, £33m on housing, highways and public health.
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Council finances have also suffered due to a lower amount of commercial income, business rates, council tax, and sales, fees and charges during the pandemic.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The COVID crisis has landed heavily on our councils after a decade of severe cuts. Even so, they have been working wonders in recent weeks to support people and communities through this and now need and deserve the Government’s direct help.
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“Councils will be crucial to the recovery from COVID and getting communities back on their feet, but won’t be able to play that role with a black hole in their finances.
“This analysis lays bare the scale of the funding challenge facing Greater Manchester’s councils. Without urgent support, this funding crisis will engulf local government and endanger the vital services that councils provide to the community, particularly for the most vulnerable.
“We know that this virus has hit the poorest communities hardest. We have also heard the Government’s promises to “level up” the country. The time has come for it to make good on those promises and give Greater Manchester and its councils the resources they need to lead recovery and build back better.”
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David Molyneux, Leader of Wigan Council and Portfolio Lead for Resources added: “Local government finances have been under pressure for many years, and what this health pandemic has done is exposed how our public services have been stripped to their bare bones.
“We’ve risen to the challenge to help those who need it, but it’s been at a massive expense. The balance sheet of expenditure and losses shows the stark financial toll we’re having to bear.”
Social distancing at Manchester Piccadilly Station / Network Rail
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has also been severely impacted by the COVID crisis and subsequent lack of passengers.
According to GMCA, grants from theDepartment for Transport (DfT) of £24.97m have helped to “provide a welcome relief” but still leave TfGM with a £1.8m deficit.
Without further government support, GMCA have warned there will be further deficits of £30-£40m for the rest of the financial year (Aug 2020-Mar 2021).
Discussions between GMCA and DfT are ongoing.
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BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
Daisy Jackson
The BBC has issued a statement after alarming people across the UK with a weather forecast of hurricane force winds and temperatures of up to 400°C.
Mancs woke up this morning stunned to see predicted wind speeds of up to 14,000mph.
The alarming weather report hit the BBC Weather app today while Hurricane Milton batters Florida across the pond.
One person shared on X: “I guess we need to batten down the hatches with 26,898 mph winds today.”
Another asked: “Why isn’t this forecast making the news? 14,712mph wind sounds dangerous to me!! I’m going back to bed.”
But now the BBC has rushed to reassure people not to be ‘alarmed’ at the prospect of the entire island blowing away.
BBC presenter and meteorologist Simon King shared: “Oops, don’t be alarmed by some of our @bbcweather app data this morning.
— Barefoot Spooky Bartender 👣💀🍹 (@barefoottiki) October 10, 2024
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C.
“It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap.”
BBC Weather shared: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us.
“In the meantime here are Thursday’s weather headlines: -Colder, clearer air moving in -Rain and drizzle in south -Blustery showers near east coast”
And national treasure Carol Kirkwood said live on air: “We are having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast, in fact, hurricane strength and that is not the case at all.
“Please don’t be alarmed. We are aware of it and on it.”
At the time of writing, the BBC Weather forecast service is still predicting hurricane force winds for the UK. Eek.
BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
New 44-storey skyscraper proposed that could change one of Manchester’s most famous views
Emily Sergeant
Plans for a massive new 44-storey residential skyscraper in the heart of the city centre have been revealed.
But does this mean it could change one Manchester‘s most famous views?
Located on what has been referred to as a “prominent site” adjacent to Deansgate train station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop at Whitworth Street West, these dramatic proposals would see the development of 364 apartments set over 44 storeys – with more 7,750 sq ft of active space on the ground, first, and second floor levels.
Developers Glenbrook say the building has been designed to “respond to the city’s heritage”, most-notably through its three-storey arched terracotta colonnade at street level.
Well-lit new green spaces, the enhancing of existing pedestrian routes, and seamless integration with the surrounding communities, all form part of the landscaping proposals for the bold new project.
“As a Manchester-based developer, we are excited about the prospect of embarking on a landmark development in the heart of our city, admitted Daniel Roberts, who is the Development Director at Glenbrook, as the proposals were unveiled this week.
“Whitworth Street West is undergoing a period of revitalisation, and Glenbrook are incredibly proud to be playing such an integral part in its future.”
A CGI of a proposed skyscraper on Whitworth Street West in Manchester / Credit: Glenbrook
A public consultation on the plans has now been launched, and will be live up until 28 October, as well as a dedicated in-person event, where representatives from Glenbrook and the design team will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback, scheduled to take place at HOME MCR on First Street from 3:30-7:30pm on 15 October.
Residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders will have the opportunity to view the plans in detail, and provide their thoughts on the proposals.
The view of what Whitworth Street West currently looks like in October 2024 / Credit: The Manc Group
According to developers, the feedback gathered during the consultation will play a key role in shaping the final planning application – which will be submitted to the Manchester City Council in the coming months, and ultimately ensure the development meets the needs of the community.
The Manc -
22nd June 2020 
