It’s been revealed that nearly half of all the criminal injury compensation claims made to the UK government in relation to the Manchester Arena attack have been rejected.
Of the 741 applications submitted following the atrocity – where 22 people tragically lost their lives during a bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017 – which were decided by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a total of 331 did not result in compensation being rewarded, ITV Granada reports.
Another 97 claims submitted by people who claim have suffered physically and/or mentally following the tragedy still remain outstanding, according to reports.
These shocking figures have been revealed to be the public following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by Hudgell Solicitors – which is representing an emergency service worker who was one of the first responders at the scene.
The anonymous worker since been diagnosed with moderate to severe PTSD as a direct result of their experience, however, their application to the CICA for an award based on mental health injuries was one of those rejected.
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Lawyers in Greater Manchester have now called on the government to make a change and not limit claims to the moment that the explosion happened.
They instead want eligibility for compensation claims to cover a wider period of time.
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Nearly half of the Manchester Arena attack injury compensation claims have been rejected / Credit: (via Geograph)
“We have, over many years, taken CICA cases to review and appeal,” explained Nicola Bailey-Gibbs, solicitor and manager of criminal injuries at Hudgell Solicitors.
“The reasons given for many unsuccessful claims range from injuries not being serious enough to mental health conditions not being recognised. However, when we seek the advice of independent experts those initial decisions are often overturned [and] in this case, my client responded in the best way they possibly could during a terrorist attack by doing their duty and helping the public in what were horrific circumstances.
“Those awful scenes will remain with this person forever [and] they have had a profound and debilitating effect on their mental health.
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“CICA awards are meant to acknowledge the effects a criminal or terrorist act has on a victim, even if no-one has ever been prosecuted, and in this case I feel it was wrong of CICA to dismiss the claim by saying in effect, ‘we’re sorry, but you were not there at the very moment when the explosion happened’.”
In response to the calls by lawyers to extend compensation claim time, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said: “We set up a dedicated team that has helped over 400 victims left with a range of serious physical and mental health problems as a direct result of the attack get compensation to aid their recovery, with more than £3.7 million paid out to date.
“For those witnesses and emergency workers who bravely rushed to the scene not eligible for taxpayer-funded compensation, we have instead provided other forms of help,
“This includes a dedicated 24/7 helpline that offers vital mental health support.”
A FREE family-friendly lantern parade is returning to Altrincham this Christmas
Thomas Melia
There’s a family-friendly lantern parade making its way back to Altrincham town centre this Christmas and it’s completely free.
If you thought the Christmas season couldn’t get any better, you were wrong, as now you can have your very own Rapunzel moment as Altrincham welcomes the return of its lantern parade.
Before these dazzling paper creations light up this Greater Manchester town, there will be a very exciting Nativity Trail spread across various locations starting at Stamford Square.
Not only this, you can also expect a range of family-friendlyactivities running throughout the day featuring everything from live music and storytelling.
And if you’re after getting stuck in yourself rather than just watching from the sidelines, there’ll be lantern making workshops taking place on the day.
Although these classes will be free for all to enjoy, any families looking at attending will still need to book a ticket to create and design their own lantern at at OYEZ Arts in Altrincham Town Hall.
Previous lantern parades that have been held in Altrincham have seen lots of exciting and fun festive surprises with live donkeys trotting through the town last year.
The event itself encourages parade-goers to gather in Goose Green from 4pm before the official walk and lighting takes place from 4.45pm.
This illuminated walk includes a full Nativity cast, local schoolchildren, lantern puppets alongside a live soundtrack courtesy of Sale District Scout and Guide Band.
With the lantern parade finishing in Stamford Square and expected to last just under one hour, there will be a live Nativity performance happening at 5.30pm.
Mandy White, Director of Altrincham BID, said: “The Lantern Parade and Nativity Journey truly capture the spirit of Christmas in Altrincham. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, explore the town and celebrate the festive season.”
Altrincham’s Lantern Parade and Nativity Journey returns on Saturday 13 December from 12pm with lantern lighting at 4pm onwards – all events and further info. HERE.
Featured Images – Supplied (via Altrincham BID)
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‘Disgraceful’ Manchester sex offender jailed after messaging several young girls under 16
Emily Sergeant
A sex offender from Manchester has been charged with 35 offences, including messaging several young girls while on a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
William Howarth, from the Miles Platting area of Manchester, appeared at Manchester Crown Court this week where he was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison – with a further six years on licence.
The 23-year-old’s sentencing follows an investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Sex Offender Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT) after Howarth was found to be in possession of an unregistered mobile phone in a visit from his offender manager in 2023.
Howarth was subject to routine checks due to him being an already-registered sex offender managed by GMP through a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and it was here where he had to register his mobile device and hand it over to his offender manager from our Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU) during home visits.
After Howarth’s phone was seized by police, forensic analysis revealed a number of messages were sent to several young girls under the age 16.
#JAILED | On Thursday at Manchester Crown Court, William Howarth (28/7/2002), of Miles Platting, was sentenced to 15 years & 8 months with a further 6 years on licence – after previously pleading guilty to the 35 offences involving messaging young girls pic.twitter.com/HrYKCVay2l
An investigation was immediately launched, and with the help of police forces across the country, GMP managed to trace the children Howarth had been in communication with – who ‘bravely’ agreed to give their accounts.
Police say Howarth displayed ‘controlling’ behaviour over the children he had been in contact with, not allowing them to refuse his requests.
When the children attempted to make a stand and refuse to send further images to him, Howarth would threaten them by stating if they didn’t do as he asked, he would post their images online.
In a hearing at Manchester Crown Court last week (10 November 2025), Howarth pleaded guilty to the following 35 offences – including 11 counts of breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and possession and making of indecent images of children.
Speaking following Howarth’s sentencing, Detective Constable Joshua Cresswell, from GMP’s Sex Offender Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT), commented: “I’d like to thank the brave child victims in supporting our investigating through agreeing to give us their harrowing accounts of how Howarth came in contact with them.
“Howarth is a disgraceful predator and belongs behind bars away from causing further harm to children.”
Emily Sergeant -
27th September 2022 
