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Government announces £250m plans to create thousands of new jobs in Greater Manchester

It's part of the the Government's wider 'Plan for Change'.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th December 2024

Thousands of new jobs are set to be created at a ‘research and innovation hub’ in Greater Manchester, it has been announced.

Keir Starmer is currently visiting the Gulf, and as part of the UK Government’s intent to “drive investment” into various cities and regions nationwide, the Prime Minister has now announced plans to pursue closer ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia – who he says are some of the UK’s “most vital” modern-day partners.

According to the Government, this part of the ‘Plan for Change’ will increase investment, deepen defence and security ties, and boost growth and new opportunities, both here in the UK and abroad, in a bid to to “deliver change that is felt by working people”.

It’s the north of England that will “reap the immediate benefits” from the closer cooperation of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the Government claims – particularly here in Greater Manchester.

The Prime Minister has announced £250m plans to create thousands of new jobs in Greater Manchester / Credit: Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street (via Flickr)

Manchester-based Graphene Innovation Manchester (GIM) has now launched the world’s first commercial production of graphene-enriched carbon fibre, along with Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Giga-Project, which is said to be a “groundbreaking step forward” in the delivery of environmentally sustainable advanced materials.

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The project is aiming to generate £250 million of investment into a research and innovation hub in Greater Manchester.

More than 1,000 skilled jobs are also expected to be created in our region.

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Hydrogen buses, trucks, critical components, and other elements of hydrogen production and distribution will be created over the lifetime of the project, all while removing more than 25 million tons of transport-related CO2.

The Prime Minister says every region and nation in the UK “should feel the impact” of the ‘Plan for Change’, but the North will benefit first.

“I am determined to ensure international diplomacy drives local results,” Starmer said.

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“Whether that is discussing how we can support regeneration in the UK, or supporting business deals that create jobs, my international agenda starts at home.”

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Greater Manchester will also be benefitting from significant Saudi investment in housing too, the Government says – with International Investment Gate injecting £41 million into the regeneration of Brunswick Mill in Stockport to create 277 flats and 24 commercial outlets, and support the Prime Minister’s milestone to build 1.5 million homes by the end of his tenure in Parliament.

Featured Image – Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)

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Century-old Didsbury Sports Ground left devastated after Greater Manchester flooding

Danny Jones Danny Jones Didsbury Sports Ground flooding damage

As residents and local businesses in various parts of the region continue to pick up the pieces after recent flooding, one of the venues worst affected is Didsbury Sports Ground, which sadly suffered “catastrophic” levels of damage.

Having stood in South Manchester for over 100 years, Didsbury Sports Ground (DSG) has been a key community institution for generations, home to rugby, cricket and football clubs, as well as the weekly parkrun, just to name a few of its regular leisure activities.

Unfortunately, following the recent floods which hit several of the 10 boroughs hard, as well as many parts of Cheshire from New Year’s Eve onwards, the pitches, car park, clubhouse, storage and changing rooms have all rendered unusable or completely ruined following the major incident.

And when we say unusable, we mean a lot of it is still underwater.

didsbury football pitches flooded
Credit: Didsbury Sports Ground (supplied)

After banks burst up and down the River Mersey and the North West downpour continued, not only were the various playing fields left heavily waterlogged, but the club’s central building also suffered significant structural damage.

In addition to a large hole being knocked through the main clubhouse wall, with collapsed fencing and tree limbs littering the perimeter, the constant flow of water has seeped right down to the foundations.

Speaking on the damage, DSG‘s director Ian Bailey said: “The devastation caused by the flooding is nothing short of heart-wrenching. The Grounds have been a landmark and local hub within the village for over a century. The damage is catastrophic and the impact on the community is immense.

“Our Ground is far more than just a sports facility, it is a place where people connect, grow, and thrive, and embrace the community spirit. To lose such an iconic and central community resource would be unthinkable and such a travesty, which is why we’re calling on local and central government support.”

“Every week, DSG brings together over 800 people from the local area for Manchester sports, fitness, social activities, recreation and community events, creating a place for well-being, a fantastic social circle and helping to build an all-round happier and healthier community.”

didsbury flooding fundraiser
didsbury sports ground flooded
Credit: Supplied

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As a result of the damage and loss to the community, the team behind DSG are now frantically trying to raise enough funds to carry out a raft of remedial repairs and some serious groundwork.

Setting themselves a total target of £50,000 for the entire clean-up operation, every penny of which will go towards getting the sports ground back in a usable state.

Thus far, thanks to nearly 500 donations by loving locals and kindhearted Mancunians who know the value of leisure centres and clubs like this, they have already more than 30% of the amount needed in just over a week (just over £17k). Legends, every single one of them.

Bailey went on to add: “We are so grateful for the immediate help of our volunteers and the fantastic people at this club […] We will, however, need more than time, we will require the funds to bring the Grounds and Clubhouse back into full use and to safeguard from future flooding, which is why we have launched our ‘Repair & Rescue’ Fund.

As Ian reiterated, “Every contribution will make a huge difference”; you can see more proof of just how much work needs to be done and donate if you wish HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied

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You can now receive the UK’s ‘first-ever’ same-day sperm MOT for free right here in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones sperm tests Manchester

For any bloke who’s ever wondered about their fertility and considering grabbing a quick test, you can now get what’s being called a quick sperm ‘MOT’ right here in Manchester – and it’s free.

As well as the obvious importance of regular sexual health checks, many people understandably worry about their virility as they get older and there’s no harm in just giving yourself that piece of mind.

That’s why one Manchester-based sperm and egg bank is expanding its already wide range of services to offer quick and easy tests to locals.

We’re all adults here: if your car’s MOT is considered an essential check, then why not take a little look under the hood to see how your little swimmers are getting on?

cryos international manchester
sperm analysis manchester
Credit: Cryos International (supplied)

Cryos International, located over at Rutherford House on Manchester Science Park, is a quick and confidential clinic that specialises in sexual wellness and reproductive health.

The industry-leading sperm and egg bank remains at the forefront when it comes to various different areas of the sector but now they’re taking one field even further by offering men aged 18-45 an unprecedented level of service.

While sperm tests and egg checks are nothing new, Cryos are the UK clinic to offer rapid detailed analysis that will see your results returned to you the same day.

Better yet, this initiative is completely free of charge and provides a non-diagnostic assessment of key sperm quality criteria, including sperm count and how effectively the sperm moves.

It’s part of Cryos’ commitment to demystifying male reproductive health and demonstrating how lifestyle factors can impact male fertility, while at the same time breaking the stigma around sperm donation, and helping more people on their journey to parenthood. 

The launch comes at a time of unprecedented demand for fertility services in the UK, with births from sperm donation tripling since the turn of the millennium.

sperm tests manchester
sperm checks manchester
Credit: Cryos International

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Sadly, donor numbers here in Britain have hit an all-time low and similar struggles are being seen all over Europe even despite the growing population.

To combat this, the UK government has actually increased its standard compensation fee by £10 as of October 2024, rising to £45 a pop.

Of course, your sperm needs to be in good health before you can donate, not to the obvious benefits for couples trying to conceive and, as lab Manager Samantha Duffy-Olive explains, even “simple lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on sperm quality.”

With that in mind, Manc males are being encouraged to make the most of this free semen test and in addition to the analysis service, they will also offer helpful advice that could make a real difference to improve your reproductive health. You can book HERE.

This isn’t the first time we’ve clocked Cryos pioneering the sperm donation and sexual health space…

Inside the UK’s newest sperm bank where you’re given a VR headset to help things along
The Manchester clinic is offering much more than just a free sperm test.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Cryos International Sperm & Egg Bank (supplied)

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