Insulate Britain has admitted that its series of road-blocking protests across the UK “failed”, but has warned that its next demonstrations will be “more ambitious”.
The environmental campaigners – who famously infuriated motorists last November by repeatedly bringing traffic to a standstill on some of the country’s busiest roads, including on the M56 near Manchester Airport – has issued a strongly-worded statement today, and has insisted that “we’re just getting started”.
Previous demonstrations have seen activists from the group – which is calling for better insulation in UK homes – glue themselves to roads to block traffic, have ink thrown on them, be dragged off roads by angry members of the public, and spark furious reactions from drivers caught up in the disruption.
Announcing in a statement posted to its website and shared on social media today, Insulate Britain said it “must acknowledge we have failed”.
“We failed to move our irresponsible government to take meaningful action to prevent thousands of us from dying in our cold homes during the energy price crisis,” the group admitted.
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STATEMENT: WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE WE HAVE FAILED
“We are not heroes, we are not clairvoyants; Insulating Britain’s cold and leaky homes is the first no-brainer step in reducing our energy needs as a nation…”
“We have failed to make this heartless government put its people over profit and insulate our homes to do our part in lowering the UK’s emissions, we have failed to encourage our government to get up from their drinks parties, go to their desk and get on with the job, and we failed in getting enough of you to join us on the roads to hold this treasonous and corrupt government to account.”
Insulate Britain said it would continue its “campaign of civil resistance because we only have the next two to three years to sort it out and prevent us completely failing our children”.
It continued it its statement: “Now we must accept that we have lost another year, so our next campaign of civil resistance against the betrayal of this country must be even more ambitious, and more of us must take a stand.
“More of you need to join us. We don’t get to be bystanders. We either act against evil or we participate in it.
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“We haven’t gone away. We’re just getting started.”
The group famously brought traffic to a standstill by blocking the M56 near Manchester Airport last November / Credit: Twitter (@InsulateLove)
The group has claimed it will be “off the roads” if the government meets its two demands to help tackle the climate crisis.
The first demand is that ministers must “immediately promise to fully fund and take responsibility for the insulation of all social housing in Britain by 2025”, and the second is that the government must promise to produce a “legally-binding national plan” within four months to fund the full insulation retrofit of all homes in Britain by 2030.
Featured Image – Twitter (@InsulateLove)
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Manchester cocktail bar added to Michelin Guide in ‘incredible surprise’
Daisy Jackson
A cocktail bar in Manchester has received a surprise listing in the prestigious Michelin Guide – the first drinks-led venue in the city to gain such recognition.
Posie opened less than a year ago in an unlikely location just off Market Street, transforming a former sandwich shop into a sunny and stylish bar, right in the heart of Manchester city centre.
The bar comes from the same team behind 10 Tib Lane (which is also a Michelin Guide venue) and is famed for its cocktails, oysters, and global wine list.
And now Posie has swooped into the prestigious guide just 10 months after its launch, with judges celebrating its small plates and its extensive cocktail list.
The Michelin Guide said: “Founded by the same team as nearby 10 Tib Lane, posie is a little more drink-driven than its sibling, with a global wine selection that’s keen on natural options, alongside over 30 classic and bespoke cocktails and mocktails.
“None of this means that they don’t take their food seriously, with plenty of flavour bursting out of the concise small-plates selection.
“Jersey oysters with various toppings are a feature, and you mustn’t miss the Guinness rarebit on toast with piquant pickled cauliflower.
“If you’re struggling to choose, just ask the friendly team for guidance.”
Posie bar in Manchester has been added to the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Posie has said the news comes as ‘an incredible surprise’, adding that this ‘really is a proud moment for us and the team’.
Sophie Robson, co-owner at Posie, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been included in the MICHELIN Guide so soon after opening.
“From day one, our ambition was to create a bar where exceptional drinks, great food and amazing hospitality come together.
“To receive recognition from such a respected guide is a fantastic achievement for the team and a reflection of the hard work that goes into every aspect of the guest experience.”
Met Office reveals what Greater Manchester can expect from ‘extreme’ heatwave this week
Emily Sergeant
The Met Office has given an indication as to what Greater Manchester can expect as the ‘extreme’ heatwave arrives this week.
In case you hadn’t heard, Amber Extreme Heat warnings and heat-health alerts have been issued by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from Monday through to Thursday this week – with temperatures widely exceeding 35°C nationwide, and in some areas – particularly on the south coast – potentially even reaching 38°C.
Temperatures are expected to rise ‘quickly’ this morning (22 June) and are forecast to reach 34°C in southern parts of England.
The heat will build further into Tuesday, with highs of 37°C forecast for southern England and 35°C southeast Wales. The peak of the heatwave is now forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to climb to 38°C.
But by Friday, conditions will be less hot – with highs of 33°C forecast across eastern areas.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️
Extreme heat across parts of central and southern England and Wales
Heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.
Overnight temperatures will also be very high, with widespread ‘Tropical Nights’, where the temperature does not drop below 20°C, forecast especially in urban areas, while humidity is also set to be a factor, making this heatwave ‘even more impactful’, the Met Office has warned, with heat stress a ‘danger to all’.
Despite all these weather warnings and forecasted temperatures though, it seems that the northern parts of the country – especially the North West – are missing most of the extremely hot conditions.
“The exception for the hot conditions is further to the northwest in the coming days, which will see more near-average temperatures,” the Met Office said in a statement, adding that we are also expected to see more ‘unsettled’ conditions too – with rain and thunderstorms forecast at various points throughout the week, although this could change.
Current forecasts indicate that the peak temperatures for Greater Manchester this week will be on Wednesday and Thursday, with highs of 33°C to be reached in the city centre.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree, said: “The forecast heatwave is developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record breaking June temperatures and very high humidity.
“The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th February 2022 
