Council tax could be increased across Greater Manchester to help fund improvements to policing.
Once again, just as they have been for the past couple of years, residents across Greater Manchester are being urged to have their say on proposals to increase the police precept that forms part of their council tax bill.
The police precept helps Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to build on a range of improvements, including the speed of answering 999 and 101 calls, road and transport safety across Manchester city centre, and bringing more sex offenders to justice, among many other things.
The Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is dedicated to delivering on community promises and making greater Manchester a safer place to be.
To continue excelling as one of the best police forces in the country, we want to understand what matters most to you about local… pic.twitter.com/7d5OhVXF7P
GMCA says its ‘top priority’ is to build strong communities where people feel safe, and it is Mayor Andy Burnham and his Deputy Mayors’ responsibility to enable GMP to be an ‘effective and efficient’ police force.
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To maintain the investment required for policing to protect the public, GMCA has proposed an increase to the police precept by £11.66 per year (£0.97 a month) for a Band B property, which would equate to £15 per year (£1.25 a month) for a Band D property.
80% of households in Greater Manchester are in Bands A-C, just to provide some context.
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As a result of last year’s police precept increases, GMP says it was able to reduce neighbourhood crime by 15% across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, and overall, there was an increase in trust and confidence, with around 65% of local residents saying they were ‘confident’ they could get help from GMP in an emergency.
If the police precept is to be increased this year, as GMCA hopes, the ambition is to maintain a ‘high performing’ police service, and enable GMP to build on its track record of improvement.
Greater Manchester council tax could be increased again to help fund improvements to policing / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
“We need GMP to be properly funded if it is to continue to deliver an effective and responsive service for people in Greater Manchester,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.
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“The cost of running a modern police force is going up and this is at a time when our city region has become the fastest-growing economy in the UK, with visitor numbers increasing year after year.
“So much is happening here and that includes a number of major and complex incidents over the past year, including a terrorist attack. These incidents added significant pressure to police resources.
“We recognise the ongoing impact of the rising cost of living and do not take the decision to increase the precept lightly. But right now, this increase is our only option to ensure GMP can continue delivering an effective police service that ensures that people feel safe in their own communities.”
The Greater Manchester public can respond to the police precept consultation online at www.gmconsult.org until next Wednesday 21 January.
Featured Image – GMP
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Plans to build ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly officially proposed
Emily Sergeant
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly.
The Government has announced a ‘major growth plan’ for the north, and as part of that, has firmed up its commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
NPR is said to be ‘at the heart’ of plans to deliver faster commutes, better jobs, more homes, increased investment, and ultimately, stronger connections between Manchester and several other major northern cities, even as far as North Wales.
£1.1 billion has been committed over this Spending Review period to support delivery of NPR, the Treasury has confirmed.
One of the most crucial proposals from the commitment to the NPR is an entirely new line between Liverpool and Manchester – via Warrington and Manchester Airport – will be delivered as part of the second phase in the 2030s, and work is set to begin ‘immediately’ to develop the project plans and business case in more detail.
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly / Credit: TfGM
As part of this, Greater Manchester and the Government will be working together to explore an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly.
It’s hoped that a new underground station at Manchester’s main train train travel hub would be a ‘catalyst’ and ‘enabler’ for major regeneration and economic growth in the region and across the North as a whole.
The underground option is said to be ‘preferred’ by local leaders.
This option would see trains run through the station, providing more reliable and quicker connections to and from West Yorkshire and beyond.
It’s also hoped that it would ‘future-proof’ the station to accommodate growing passenger numbers for decades to come, as well as ensure that the region remains the ‘growth capital’ of the UK.
Big news for the North.
Work is set to begin immediately on detailed plans for the new Liverpool–Manchester Northern Powerhouse Rail line.
A major catalyst for growth and jobs across the North. 🚆
“Finally, we have a Government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the proposals were announced this week.
“A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond.
“Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth.
“Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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TGI Fridays to close even more UK locations as franchise falls further into administration
Danny Jones
Yes, American export and multinational TGI Fridays is closing even more locations across the UK following the previous batch of restaurant shutdowns.
This comes after Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the parent company which oversees the global TGI Fridays franchise, filed a third notice to appoint administrators this week.
Founded way back in 1965 and opening in the UK by the 80s – 1990 here in Manchester, to be specific – the New York-born diner brand continues to struggle all over Great Britain.
The only city centre TGIs was hit by the first raft of closures in October 2024, and now another Greater Manchester branch is on the chopping block.
TGIs Preswitch and Royal Exchange have both been shut for some time (Credit: David Dixon/The Manc)
Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, a further 16 TGI Fridays restaurants are shutting down imminently amid administration.
Totalling just 33 transatlantic venues left, this also means the loss of around 450 jobs, though the company insists they believe it to be the best decision to help “reinvigorate” the brand.
In a statement, Global President of TGI Fridays, Phil Broad, said: “We’ve been working closely to explore all available options for securing the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK, and believe that this is the best outcome for the business, preserves jobs, and offers a strong platform for success and growth.
As per an official press release shared on Monday, TGI bosses are hoping to reassert their presence in the American bar and grill scene as well as casual dining culture with a “bold new 1-2-3 strategic vision.”
Meanwhile, you can see the full list of TGI Fridays sites closing in Great Britain down below:
It seems that the entities within the hospitality sector, no matter how big or small, are still being struck by rising business rates, inflation and the general cost of living crisis.
I suggest you speak to your team @RachelReevesMP … an emergency cut in VAT is the ONLY lever you have to save thousands of Hospitality businesses folding. Much of Europe has VAT rates 10-13% to support their Hospitality industry.
For now, at least, the now only remaining regional TGI Fridays in the Trafford Centre (which has been there since 1998) is set to stay open.
In the case of the site in Tameside, the 36-year-old spot has unfortunately closed with immediate effect.
As for those sadly now without a job, it’s absolutely gutting – sending love and support from everyone here at The Manc Group, and we hope other parties at Ashton Leisure Park will step in to help when and where they can.
This is far from the only recognisable name closing down local venues, either…
Emily Sergeant -
14th January 2026 
