News

People must wear face coverings in shops from July 24 or risk £100 fine

Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory from 24 July, the government will announce.

The Manc The Manc - 13th July 2020
BBC

Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory from 24 July, the government will announce.

Fines of up to £100 will be enforced by police officers for those whole fail to comply, under the regulations which will be set out by ministers on Tuesday. This fine will be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

The public have only been advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces since mid-May. It has been compulsory on public transport since 15 June.

The news comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently urged the public to wear homemade face masks while shopping as “extra insurance” as opposed to a mandatory measure – which confused many.

Shop workers will be encouraged to ask customers to comply with the regulation, however they will not be expected to enforce the rules. Unions have said the new guidance must be “clear and detailed” to protect staff and customers.

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The change will bring England in line with Scotland, and European countries such as Germany and Spain, where simple cloth face coverings are mandatory in public spaces.

Young children or those with certain disabilities will be exempt from the new regulations.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.

News

Andy Burnham announces ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant School exam hall / classroom

The Prime Minister will unveil a fundamental change to the education system today with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes.

Andy Burnham says he is ‘determined’ to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path to ensure there are no so-called ‘dead ends’ for young people coming out of the education system by providing them high-quality alternative routes that are valued and respected by students, parents, and employers alike.

The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with ‘valuable’ early access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers.

Building on successful local initiatives – such as the MBacc, launched by Andy Burnham here in Greater Manchester when he was Mayor – the new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare, and digital technology.

It will aim to ‘skill them up’ with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need. 

School exam hall / classroom
Andy Burnham has announced ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system / Credit: MChe Lee (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons

So, how will it all work then? Well, when students enter Year 10, they will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, Maths, and Science – with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area.

During these courses, students will be able to spend time with employers and gain valuable real-world experience.  

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Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges, and employers will work together to shape these new technical education pathways, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.

To support this, the Government says it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work, and will also change the way school performance is measured so that inspectors recognise the schools support young people to develop the skills, experience, and confidence employers want.

This way, no matter whether young people choose university, an apprenticeship, further education, or direct entry into a skilled profession, they will able to see a clear route from education into employment.

“For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected,” explained Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

“The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.

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“I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical which gives all young people a clear path in life.

“From today, Britain will value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap.”

Featured Image – MChe Lee (via Unsplash)

News

When does the UK’s fourth heatwave of the year hit Greater Manchester?

Danny Jones Danny Jones When does the next heatwave hit Manchester

Brace yourselves: ANOTHER heatwave is set to hit the UK – the fourth in 2026 so far – and, understandably, Greater Manchester residents are already preparing for the latest blast of hot weather and wondering when it gets here.

Yes, in case you missed the news, more high temperatures are set to spread across Great Britain and Ireland this month and heading into August.

The increase will gradually build throughout this week, with Wednesday tipped to be the hottest day according to various meteorological sources.

Fortunately for us here in the North West, parts of the Midlands and the usual suspects down south are set to hit the highest numbers, but the thermometers are still on course to reach around the mid-20s over the coming days.

When does the next heatwave hit Manchester?

As per data from BBC Weather and the Met Office, Greater Manchester locals and our neighbours around the North West can expect the heatwave to kick in tomorrow (Tues, 28 July).

Estimates of 26°C have been predicted for this coming Tuesday, with the levels floating in and around 24/25 on the following Wednesday.

The heat is then due to drop off slowly, with top scores of no higher than 21°C on the cards for Thursday and Friday. Although the weekend forecast is less certain at present, one thing that has been announced is reduced rainfall.

Aside from a few more trickles today (Mon, 27 July), the showers or lack thereof cease rather soon, with some of the driest parts of the country already having various effects; for instance, parched parts of Wales have even revealed lost archaeological sites last Friday (24/7/2026).

It would be remiss if we didn’t mention the obvious moorland fires across our region, which were sadly exacerbated by hot weather earlier this month.

Following on from the hottest June on record, the Dovestone and Tinwhistle areas of Oldham and parts of Derbyshire saw hundreds of hectares turn into a deeply dangerous blaze for several days.

As per the latest statistics, it’s said that the equivalent of 1,250 football pitches were scorched following the alarming wildfire, which also raised concerns for wildlife and surrounding air quality.

In fact, some parts of the local moors are still burning over a fortnight on from the initial ignition, with warnings and temporary bans surrounding fireworks, BBQs and more remaining.

Find the most recent update below:

Greater Manchester moorland fires still burning after more than two weeks

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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