UK charity Mind has issued an extensive statement reflecting on the government’s impending benefit cuts and, more specifically, their comments that mental health conditions are being ‘overdiagnosed’.
Mind, the largest mental health charity in the country which raises tens of millions for related illnesses every year, has been left understandably troubled by the recent news that the Labour Party intends to scale back the level of welfare support that millions of Brits receive on a regular basis.
Most notably, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced in the House of Commons that the number of people claiming personal independence payment (PIP) is “not sustainable” and, therefore, eligibility will be made more stringent.
Responding in a number of posts this week, Mind has reiterated their belief that “our mental health is getting worse” and that “cutting benefits is short-sighted”, arguing instead that the “UK government needs to shift focus and tackle the real barriers to employment.” You can see two lengthy replies below:
As you can see, not only does Mind staunchly disagree with the government’s stance but they believe that in addition to the problematic wait times and ever-mounting pressure on services like the NHS, “rhetoric like this is dangerous” and fundamentally “stops people getting support” when they need it.
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In a separate post on social media, the charity continued: “Behind the headlines and the stigmatising language about disability benefits are real people – millions of them. People who are scared about what this news might mean for their day-to-day lives.”
“If that’s you, know this: you are not alone. We see you. We hear you. These changes, if they do happen, won’t come in immediately. And we will not stop fighting until the benefits system is fair, compassionate, and works for those of us with mental health problems.”
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And Mind has made a real impact on mental health services in recent decades, generating over £42.9 million between 2023 and 2024 alone, whilst providing frontline support to countless people in crisis online, over the phone and in person daily.
The organisation’s associate director of policy and campaigns, Minesh Patel, spoke to BBC Breakfast on Monday, 17 March about what they feel are more pressing issues and obstacles preventing people from getting into and staying in employment.
Even prior to the welfare crackdown – which is hoping to save the UK economy an estimated £5 billion – being announced, Mind responded to early reports of the cutbacks in kind.
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“The government’s solution: blame us, and punish us by taking away our financial safety net”, they wrote. “Cutting benefits isn’t the way to support people with mental health problems into work – it will only push more people into poverty and shift costs elsewhere. It doesn’t solve the problem.
They summed up things by adding: “If the government wants real change, it has to improve employment support, tackle workplace stigma, and make sure people aren’t stuck on mental health waiting lists for years.”
It goes without saying that if you need mental health support, you can call Mind’s Manchester arm on 0161 769 5732 or get in touch with them online; alternatively, you can use the NHS’ mental health services such as Manchester Talking Therapies and the 111 number.
As for questions surrounding how these government changes to welfare benefits and mental health support might apply to you, Mind have also put together a helpful breakdown HERE.
Featured Images — Sky News (screenshot via YouTube)/Malcolmxl5 (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
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11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
Danny Jones -
21st March 2025 
