Greater Manchester will be placed in Tier 2 restrictions – where residents mixing indoors will be banned but pubs serving food will remain open – according to a local MP.
Boris Johnson is set to make an announcement regarding new restrictions for England later this afternoon (12 October).
The Prime Minister is expected to elaborate on the government’s new ‘tier system’ – whereby each region will be ranked in terms of risk level.
It was feared that Greater Manchester could be included in Tier 3 – which would see all hospitality forced to close.
But Jim McMahon, the Shadow Transport Secretary and Labour & Co-operative MP for Oldham West & Royton said Manchester’s status as a Tier 2 region had been confirmed via a call with Matt Hancock earlier today.
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Call with the Secretary of State confirms GM will be placed in Tier 2 with household restrictions on meeting indoors in any setting, but not outdoors
Writing on Twitter, Mr. McMahon said: “Call with the Secretary of State confirms GM will be placed in Tier 2 with household restrictions on meeting indoors in any setting, but not outdoors
“Pubs serving food remain open.
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“Oldham will be removed from its enhanced lockdown measures and brought into line with GM *at last*”
Lucy Powell, Labour & Co-op MP for Manchester Central, said the news had come as a “huge relief”.
We are very grateful that our calls for locally lead action have been listened to. This will come as a huge relief for many businesses in Manchester who have been working incredibly hard to make their premises safe and compliant. https://t.co/jmsLEWRLI4
“We are very grateful that our calls for locally lead action have been listened to,” said the MP on social media.
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“This will come as a huge relief for many businesses in Manchester who have been working incredibly hard to make their premises safe and compliant.”
Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, called it a “big result.”
“This could change though,” he warned.
“So, we will continue to keep our legal challenge ready, in the event that it does. We will not support any closure without scientific evidence.”
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
12th October 2020 
