News

England’s A-levels and GCSEs to be based on teacher assessments

The Manc The Manc - 17th August 2020

A-levels and GCSEs in England will now be awarded based on the “centre assessment grades” from teachers, the government has announced.

The much-anticipated U-turn from the exams regulator comes after days of savage criticism of Boris Johnson by students, teachers, and cross-party MPs over the controversial system for awarding results.

Roughly 40% of A-level results were downgraded after Ofqual, the exams regulator, used an algorithm based on schools’ previous results – a system that has been ruthlessly criticised over the last few days.

Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor says exam regulator took the “wrong road” on A-level and GCSE grading, saying: “What changed was seeing the experience of young people receiving grades and being distressed at the need to then have to go and appeal grades”

Mr Williamson said students and parents had been affected by “significant inconsistencies” with the grading process.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will get their GCSE results on Thursday.

The move follows a similar announcement by the Welsh government earlier this afternoon and brings England in line with the other UK nations.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.

News

Police shut down suspected brothel in Oldham following concerns raised by locals

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Police have shut down what they believe to have been a brothel in Oldham during the early hours of this morning.

Following concerns raised by the local community and years of gathering intelligence, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Oldham Neighbourhood Team executed a warrant at a premises on Broadway in Oldham earlier this morning (14 October 2026), as they believed it to be operating as a brothel.

The warrant was executed as a result of the unrelated arrest of a man believed to be connected to the business.

When police seized a mobile phone from the man, examination of the device uncovered evidence which provided them with grounds to suspect the premises was being used for the control of prostitution.

During the operation this morning, a woman in her 40s was found and spoken to by officers. Once safeguarding measures were put in place by GMP, she was subsequently arrested on suspicion of immigration-related offences and possession of Class A drugs.

Police have shut down a suspected brothel in Oldham following concerns raised by locals / Credit: GMP

A man – who police believed to be the owner of the premises – was also arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain.

Officers seized a number of items from the address too, including cash and timesheets, as part of the ongoing investigation.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The concerns surrounding this premises have been raised by local residents and businesses for a considerable period of time, and today’s action is the result of years of intelligence gathering and partnership working,” explained Police Sergeant Tom Layton.

“By securing a Closure Notice, we have been able to immediately disrupt the activities taking place at the premises and prevent further harm, nuisance and criminality while legal proceedings continue.

“Premises suspected of facilitating criminality can have a significant impact on those living and working nearby, causing nuisance and concern.

“We have listened to the concerns of the community and have taken robust action to address them.”

Read more:

Neighbourhood Inspector Amie Whitehead added: “Our priority is always to identify and safeguard those who may be vulnerable while pursuing those suspected of criminal offences.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to target anyone who seeks to exploit others and to ensure Oldham remains a safe place for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Tributes paid to ‘trailblazing’ Manchester councillor Pat Karney who’s died at age 78

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Heartfelt tributes are being paid following the death of ‘trailblazing’ Manchester councillor, Pat Karney, at the age of 78.

It’s said that he had been receiving treatment for cancer at The Christie.

A longstanding Labour Party politician, Pat had represented Harpurhey as a councillor since 1979, as well as being a Lead Member for the City Centre during that time. He was most-notably responsible for setting up the now-iconic Manchester Day festival, as well as being a supporter and one of the key figures in the organising of Manchester’s annual Christmas Markets.

Pat was affectionately known to many across Greater Manchester as ‘Mr Manchester’ or ‘Mr Christmas’, thanks to his deep love of the city and the festive season.

Also throughout his career, Pat was one of the pivotal figures in the regeneration of the city centre after it was devastated by the 1996 IRA bombing.

He was also said to be ‘proud’ of the role he played in standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, especially in the 1980s when Manchester City Council fought against the discriminatory Clause 28 (of the Local Government Act 1988) introduced by the Thatcher Government.

Manchester City Council Leader Garry Bridges, Council Chief Executive Tom Stannard, and Greater Manchester’s former Night Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord are some of the well-known names leading the tributes to Pat.

Cllr Bridges called Pat a ‘giant of Manchester politics’, while Lord described him as ‘a visionary, a pioneer, and a true Mancunian’.

One of the most prominent tributes has been paid by Greater Manchester Mayor, and former Council Leader, Bev Craig – who said Pat will ‘always be in our hearts’.

Her tribute reads in full: “Across Manchester and across politics, many will mourn the loss of Pat Karney, a force of nature who served our city for half a century. My thoughts are with his family, who he treasured and adored, at this difficult time. He will always be in our hearts.

“Affectionately known by many as Mr Manchester, Pat was one of the city’s most recognisable figures. Through Manchester’s renaissance, Pat championed making our city what it is today from the regeneration of the city centre, improving the health of Manchester people, to the creation of Manchester Day – he was incredibly proud of Manchester and recognised the need to bring people together.

“A local north Manchester boy, he championed Manchester while ferociously fighting for the people of Harpuhey and Collyhurst. He delivered on the ground from new council housing and a GP surgery to championing a new North Manchester Hospital.

“Pat was one of a kind, passionate, determined, sharp and quick witted, but he was also thoughtful, kind and supportive. He will be remembered too for his sense of fun.

“A private man, he was in many ways a trailblazer in politics, someone who sacrificed a lot to be himself he championed the gay village and LGBT equality, he paved the way for generations who came after him.

Read more:

“Working together for over 15 years we became good friends and like many I will miss him- but also make sure his achievements are celebrated in a way that he would be proud of.”

Featured Image – Cllr Pat Karney / Manchester City Council

More News

Andy Burnham outside Number 10 Downing Street

News

Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor

Crime

Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool

Daughter pays heartbreaking tribute to dad at centre of Salford murder investigation

News

Daughter pays heartbreaking tribute to dad at centre of Salford murder investigation

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches