News

NHS scraps free flu vaccines for millions of over-50s and teenagers next winter

Flu vaccination has been recommended vulnerable groups in the UK since the late 1960s.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 4th March 2022

The NHS’s rollout of free flu vaccinations to over-50s and secondary school-aged children is soon to come to an end.

Millions more flu jabs were rolled out to anybody over the age of 50 and children in school years seven to 11 as part of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis amid fears of an outbreak back in November 2020, but it’s now been revealed that this eligibility will be cut next winter as the NHS attempts to return to pre-pandemic rules.

In guidance issued this week on the NHS England website, officials say eligibility for the flu vaccine will be narrowed in 2022/23.

The letter told NHS workers and pharmacies: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to all those involved for your hard work during very challenging times which led to some of the best flu vaccine uptake rates ever achieved.”

Read more: Free flu vaccines to be offered to all over 50s in preparation for winter

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But despite this change in eligibility apparently having been communicated to medical staff, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told The Telegraph: “No one has communicated to the public that the offer of flu jabs this year is going to be any different to last year.

“Last year over-50s were being told they should get their jab, now the advice has changed, but no one is explaining why.

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“It’s going to cause so much confusion.”

The decision appears to go against the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), according to minutes from December seen by the Telegraph.

According to the newspaper, the minutes said the JCVI “remained supportive of fully extending the childhood programme on a routine basis which is highly cost effective”, and added that it would be “acceptable to vaccinate 50-64 year olds for the 2022/23 season if funding available.”

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Read more: GPs will soon have to open on Saturdays and weekday evenings

Flu vaccination has been recommended vulnerable groups in the UK since the late 1960s.

Between 2015 to 2020, more than 11,000 people died per year with flu on average, and in 2019/20, 86% of flu deaths were of people over the age of 65.

Those said to be eligible for flu vaccinations in 2022/23 will be:

  • Those aged 65 and over
  • Children (over six months) and adults (under 65) in clinical risk groups
  • All children aged two to 10 on 31 August 2022
  • Pregnant women
  • Care home residents
  • Carers
  • Close contacts of immunocompromised people
  • Frontline health and social care workers (through employers).

Featured Image – Flickr

News

Three teenagers arrested on suspicion of arson after large moorland fire in Bury

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Moor fire

Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large moorland fire took place in Bury last month.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained it was called to reports of an ‘ongoing fire’ at Holcombe Hill at around 12:30pm on Tuesday 13 May, and officers accompanied colleagues from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) in attending the scene.

After emergency services attended, the fire was successfully contained and put out later in the afternoon.

An investigation was then subsequently launched.

“Wildfires can spread quickly and cause devastation to the land and wildlife on it,” explained GMFRS’s wildfire lead and national tactical adviser for wildfires, Ady Taylor, “so it’s vitally important that people call 999 as soon as they think they see a fire.”

He continued: “We want people to enjoy the countryside and moorland we have in Greater Manchester, but… [we] remind people to always act responsibly while out enjoying these environments.

“This means no BBQs, fires or fireworks – as they can easily result in wildfires.”

On Wednesday 14 May 2025, a teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and interviewed by police in relation to the incident, and then the following day on Thursday 15 May 2025, another two boys were also arrested – with each of the three having now been released on bail pending further enquiries while investigations are ongoing.

Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large moorland fire in Bury / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Detective Inspector Andy Wright, from GMP’s Bury district, added: “The moorland fire is being investigated as arson following information from a witness and enquiries we have made.

“We have managed to apprehend three teenagers in relation to this incident, all of them have been bailed following interviews with our officers.”

GMP and GMFRS is reminding Greater Manchester residents that if they see a fire in the countryside, they need to report it immediately, leave the area as soon as possible, and dial 999, and if you witness illegal activity in relation to the fire, then you can report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

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“Fires can have such a devastating effect, and we are lucky that this has not caused a significant amount of damage, or cost lives,” Detective Inspector Andy Wright concluded.

Featured Image – Mick Garrett (via Geograph)

News

Tate McRae at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for ‘Miss Possessive’ tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Canadian performer Tate McRae is bringing her viral bangers to Co-op Live, Manchester for a night of sass, synths and of course dance breaks.

The time has come to let all your ‘exes’ know, put your ‘Sports car’ in drive and get ready to ‘run for the hills’ because it’s finally time for Tate McRae to take to the Co-op Live stage in Manchester.

McRae initially started out playing original songs on her piano and posting them on YouTube, like fan favourite ‘One Day’, before blowing up online thanks to her breakout single ‘You Broke Me First’.

Now the Calgary-born talent, four albums deep and only 21 years old, is ready to perform to 23,500 Manchester fans at our city’s largest indoor entertainment venue.

Tate McRae gig guide

Tate McRae is visiting Manchester twice, 23 May and 25 June, playing Co-op Live.
Tate McRae is visiting Manchester twice, 24 May and 25 June, playing Co-op Live.

Tate McRae UK tour dates

  • Mon 19 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Tue 20 May – London, UK – The O2 Arena
  • Fri 23 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Sat 24 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Sun 22 June – Nottingham, UK – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
  • Tue 24 June – London, UK – The O2 Arena
  • Thu 25 June – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live

Tate McRae tickets for Co-op Live gig

‘What would you do?’ if I told you that there were tickets left for Tate McRae’s Co-op Live shows in Manchester, because there just might be.

Any fans of this Canadian pop star will have to act fast because there are only a select number of precious tickets left for both of her Manchester dates.

Tickets for both Tate McRae’s shows on Saturday, 24 May and Thursday, 25 June, are selling fast and are in high demand.

You can grab the few that are left HERE.

Tate McRae setlist

  • Miss possessive
  • No I’m not in love
  • 2 hands
  • guilty conscience
  • Purple lace bra
  • Like I do
  • uh oh
  • Dear god
  • Siren sounds
  • Greenlight
  • Nostalgia
  • that way / chaotic / One Day
  • you broke me first
  • run for the hills
  • exes
  • bloodsonmyhands
  • she’s all i wanna be
  • Revolving door
  • It’s ok I’m ok
  • Sports car
  • greedy

What are the stage times for Tate McRae in Manchester?

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning the Canadian performer might have her set wrapped up before the clock hits ’10:35′.

Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 8pm and support from New Zealand star BENEE, best known for soundtracking lockdown with her huge hit, ‘Supalonely’, collaborating with the likes of Gus Dapperton, Spacey Jane and more.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

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  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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Expect nothing but hits from 21 year old superstar Tate McRae when she performs at Co-op Live, Manchester.
Expect nothing but hits from 21 year old superstar Tate McRae when she performs at Co-op Live, Manchester.

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Featured Images — Press Shots

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