News

Government publishes list of Tier 3 areas set to receive mass testing from Monday

Oldham will be among the first areas to launch rapid testing - focusing on communities most significantly affected by the virus, higher risk supported living settings, health and social care staff, schools and colleges.

The Manc The Manc - 14th December 2020
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The ten boroughs of Greater Manchester have been included on the list of 67 areas set to participate in a mass programme of rapid testing like the one seen in Liverpool earlier this year.

Oldham is among the first to launch a testing strategy – which will focus on communities most affected by the virus such as supported living settings, health and social care staff, schools and colleges.

The rapid test scheme – which involves lateral flow tests – is being rolled out to high risk areas to help identify COVID cases even when carriers have no symptoms.

It is thought that as many as one in three COVID sufferers could be asymptomatic.

The government will provide additional support and resources to run the mass testing programmes for up to six weeks.

Oldham / Wikimedia Commons

More than 1.6 million lateral flow tests will be immediately delivered for use – with more set to follow in 2021.

The government claims that ‘community testing will help put Tier 3 areas on a route out of toughest restrictions’.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the programme a “vital tool” in the fight against coronavirus, stating: “I urge all those living in areas where community testing is offered to come forward and get tested.”

The full list of local authorities aiming to begin testing in December include:

  • Bolton
  • Bury
  • Manchester
  • Oldham
  • Rochdale
  • Salford
  • Stockport
  • Tameside
  • Trafford
  • Wigan

Every resident in Greater Manchester is currently living under the tightest restrictions despite most areas seeing a significant drop in cases over the past few weeks.

The region’s leaders have already said they will “press very hard” for Greater Manchester to be reclassified as a Tier Two area before Christmas.

A tier review is due on Wednesday.

News

Aldi becomes first UK supermarket to introduce new ‘£13 rule’ from September

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Aldi is set to become the first supermarket to pay staff working in its stores across the UK at least £13 an hour.

The budget supermarket retailer’s new minimum rate – which increases to £14.33 within the M25 – will officially take effect from 1 September 2025, and is set to further exceed the Real Living Wage of £12.60 an hour that was set by the Living Wage Foundation in October last year.

At present, Store Assistants at Aldi are currently paid a minimum of £12.75 an hour nationwide, but that is set to change in the autumn.

As well as the standard £13 hourly rate, Store Assistants’ pay will be subject to further rises depending on their length of service – meaning they’ll get £13.93 nationally, and £14.64 within the M25.

Aldi outside
Aldi becomes first UK supermarket to introduce new ‘£13 rule’ from September / Credit: Aldi

The news that Aldi will become the UK’s first supermarket to pay colleagues £13 an hour follows the retailer’s impressive achievement of being named the Employer of the Year at The Grocer Gold Awards – where it was recognised for its competitive pay, investment in training, and its focus on diversity and inclusion.

Aldi is also the only retailer to offer all colleagues paid breaks too, on top of their hourly rate or salary, which is worth approximately £1,385 a year for the average store colleague.

“Our people are the driving force behind our success across the UK,” commented Giles Hurley, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland.

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“This latest investment in pay is a reflection of their hard work and the incredible contribution they make every single day.

“We’re proud to remain the UK’s highest-paying supermarket and will continue to support our colleagues in every way we can.”

Featured Image – Aldi

News

Stockport County issue statement condemning ‘deeply concerning imagery’ featuring club crest

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stockport County statement on political imagery use of club crest

Stockport County have issued a statement addressing inappropriate and divisive political imagery featuring the club crest recently shared online.

The Greater Manchester side was alerted to the situation this week and quickly released a decisive comment condemning the content that appeared on social media.

Updating the fan base on Monday afternoon, 29 July, the League One team shared the important and well-received response across their official channels, reminding their fan base that not only are they a non-political entity but that the beautiful game is for everyone.

It reads as follows: “Stockport County has been made aware of instances where our club crest has been used without permission on political propaganda, including deeply concerning imagery that promotes hate and division, such as the unauthorised display of our crest alongside anti-LGBTQ+ symbols. 

“We want to be unequivocally clear: Stockport County Football Club is, and always will be, a politically neutral organisation. We do not endorse, support, or affiliate with any political party, candidate [referring to one specific individual in this instance], or ideology.

“Our club crest is a registered trademark and a symbol of unity, community, and the collective passion for football at Edgeley Park.

“It represents all our fans, staff, players, and the wider Stockport community, regardless of their individual political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or any other characteristic.” 

They assure that the club, which is made up of all kinds of ethnicities, genders and sexualities, is “no place for hate, discrimination, or exclusion of any kind at Edgeley Park or within our community“, adding that they are “committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and safe.”

For context, below you’ll find just one example of the unsanctioned and potentially inflammatory iconography exposed via Facebook marketplace, which features the Stockport County badge alongside an image of former UKIP leader and Reform UK MP, Nigel Farage.

The statement goes on to reinforce that “any unauthorised use of our crest, particularly in a political or hateful context, is a misuse of our intellectual property and fundamentally goes against the inclusive values we uphold.”

“We will take all necessary steps, including legal action where appropriate, to prevent such unauthorised use of our club crest and protect our brand integrity.”

They sign off by stating, simply: “We urge all supporters to respect the Club’s neutrality and help us maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome and united by their love for County.”

On the upside, the defiant Stockport County stance was met with plenty of praise and support, with Hatters and football lovers in general commenting, “My community club”, “Not a fan but well done county”, “Keep politics out of football, especially that lot. Top club statement”, just to quote a few replies.

SCFC seem to be getting lots of things right at the moment.

Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Besides potential political controversy, Stockport County delighted locals with another statement ahead of the 2025/26 season.

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Featured Images — Stockport County (via Instagram)/Owain Davies (via Wikimedia Commons)

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