Rishi Sunak vows to create jobs and get ‘debt back under control’
The Chancellor addressed party members as part of an online Conservative conference - making a vow to "balance the books" and create more opportunities for jobs moving ahead.
Rishi Sunak has pledged to get borrowing and debt “back under control” as the UK heads into what the Prime Minister is calling a “bumpy” run-in to Christmas.
The Chancellor addressed party members as part of an online Conservative conference – making a vow to “balance the books” and create more opportunities for jobs moving ahead.
Sunak’s furlough scheme is due to end on October 31; replaced by the six-month Winter Economy Plan (which sees the government cover a portion of staff wages for the time they are not working).
The new jobs protection programme has received a mixed response – with some industries claiming they’ve been left without the support they need to survive.
Speaking on Monday morning, Sunak stated: “I have always said I couldn’t protect every job or every business. No chancellor could.
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“And even though I have said it, the pain of knowing it, only grows with each passing day.
“So, I am committing myself to a single priority – to create, support and extend opportunity to as many people as I can.
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“Because even if this moment is more difficult than any you have ever faced, even if it feels like there is no hope, I am telling you that there is, and that the overwhelming might of the British state will be placed at your service.”
Number 10
The Chancellor admitted there was much work to do, but cited the Kickstart Scheme – which funds wages and tax contributions for employers hiring 16-24-year-olds – as proof of the government’s intention to create opportunities for young people.
Sunak added: “We will not let talent wither, or waste, we will help all who want it, find new opportunity and develop new skills.
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“Through more apprenticeships, more training and a lifetime skills guarantee.
“Our Kickstart Scheme will help hundreds of thousands of young people into good quality work.
“And we will help small businesses adapt.
“That’s why we have delivered Government backed loans, tax deferrals and tax cuts.
“In a free market economy it is the entrepreneur, who is critical.
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“And we will make it easier for those with the ambition and appetite to take risks and be bold, to do what they do best and create jobs and growth.”
The Chancellor just spoke for 10 minutes, but he had nothing new to say.
❌No new targeted support for millions facing the furlough cliff edge ❌Nothing new for the self-employed ❌Nothing for those excluded so far
He just blew his chance to get a grip on Britain’s jobs crisis.
Shadow Chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, criticised the address, claiming that Sunak had “nothing new to say”.
Dodds wrote on Twitter: “No new targeted support for millions facing the furlough cliff edge. Nothing new for the self-employed. Nothing for those excluded so far.
“He just blew his chance to get a grip on Britain’s jobs crisis”.
News
Manchester United fan group call for full investigation into security after sit-in protest
Danny Jones
A prominent Manchester United fan organisation have called for a full investigation into Old Trafford security after an alleged assault during the sit-in protest this past weekend, detailing what they called “not only unprofessional but completely disgraceful” conduct from stewards.
Large groups of Man United supporters stayed in the stadium beyond the full-time whistle was blown following a lacklustre 0-0 Manchester derby – one both Reds and City fans alike will soon forget – to voice their complaints as part of a planned sit-in protest on Sunday, 6 April.
The peaceful demonstration was a response to the news of season ticket price increases for the 2025/26 campaign and other policy changes in recent months; however, it seems frustrations in the stands reached boiling point in at least one instance, as a man is said to have been forcibly removed.
Now, a few days on from the incident, The 1958 group who were among the core group of sit-in protestors have raised “a formal and urgent complaint” against CSG (Controlled Solutions Group) Security over the “unacceptable behaviour” from at least one steward.
🗣️Update on the incident in East Stand
Just in the way of an update we have spoken to the fan involved in the incident during the sit in protest on Sunday.
There are obviously some details we cannot reveal with respect to the fan involved and also for legal reasons.
Penning a letter to United CEO Omar Berrada directly, the vocal arm of supporters have called for “the complete removal of CSG security services from all home games” following a fracas shared multiple times on social media.
Although the fan remains anonymous out of respect for his privacy and for legal reasons, they claim that the individual was “physically assaulted by a steward without provocation”.
They go on to add that “others in the area were verbally abused with foul and aggressive language”, noting that the incident in took place in the East Stand happened in full of view of both young and elderly match-goers.
Writing in an early post after being made aware of the accusations, The 1958 said: “United fans should not be targeted or bullied for protesting legally and peacefully.”
Having been sent some of the footage directly prior to the letter, official channels and contacts were made aware immediately but are still waiting for response from the the club.
You can see more images from the sit-in protests down below, including an image of 81-year-old and lifelong Red, Michael Carney, who is being forced to give up his season tickets after 74 years to make room for new hospitality seats as part of the ‘New Trafford’ stadium designs.
As mentioned, the club are still yet to officially address the alleged assault of the fan during the sit-in protest United, but supporters are continuing to pile of the pressure both through further planned demonstrations and online.
The organisation go on to reiterate that the club were informed of the protest “well in advance of the game” and took their own measures to “ensure fans’ safety”.
Describing how the events unfolded as a failure before asking that the letter be shared with Manchester United’s data protection offer(s), the sign off as follows:
We ask for urgent confirmation that this issue is being investigated seriously and expect a full repoinse outlining the steps the club will take to address this matter.”
Respects paid to late frontman of Happy Mondays tribute act as Shaun Ryder joins tributes
Danny Jones
Tributes are being paid to the late Marc James Watmough, frontman of the much-loved Happy Mondays tribute band, Happy Mondaze, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
In terms of tribute acts, you won’t find many as adored as the Happy Mondaze, and with that, the news of Marc James Watmough’s death has hit Manc music fans and avid ‘Madchester’ die-hards, specifically, rather hard.
Watmough was the lead singer who played the role of Shaun Ryder for more than a decade as part of the Mondaze – the number one Happy Mondays tribute band in the world – as well as being involved in other musical projects over the years.
His bandmates shared the following statement below on Tuesday, 8 April.
RIP Marc, great guy and frontman. Loved working with him. Sending love to his friends and family.
Speaking on social media, the real Shaun Ryder himself joined the procession of tributes online, writing simply: “RIP Marc James Watmough of Happy Mondaze. Sending condolences to Marc’s bandmates and loved ones.”
He is said to have died suddenly last week; the cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Fellow tribute artist Laid (who double as another iconic local band, James) said: “Really sad to hear this. God bless you all. Nothing But Love.”
Music event production company M35 Live went on to add: “Rest In Peace Marc. Gutted to hear this sad news. Remember when I first met Marc with his band New Antics many years ago pre-Mondaze. He was a star. We hit it off straight away – I booked his band New Antics and we became pals.
“Always a pleasure to work with, both with New Antics and later with Happy Mondaze. I recall clearly the day he phoned me, telling me he was putting together a Happy Mondays tribute group and he’d love me to be involved, management or whatever. I didn’t – had too much on at the time but wished him luck…
rip to marc james watmough,, lead singer of the happy mondays tribute band “happy mondaze” absolutely lovely chap. let me and my dad on the guestlist multiple times and was so so lovely💔 proper heartbroken to find out this news
— ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚anais˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ (@autofiction__) April 9, 2025
“He was fired up for it – he hadn’t even got the band together at this stage, but he said he was already working on taking it on tour all over the UK and beyond. Well, Marc – you did it ‘r kid – smashed it. There was never any doubt. God bless you pal.” They shared an even lengthier tribute on their own page.
Several other tribute bands have paid tribute to the talented vocalist and charismatic performer, serving as yet more proof that this particular corner of the music world is a close-knit community that means a lot to those who make a living from it and the thousands who watch them every year.
Our thoughts go out to all of his friends and family during this difficult time.
The Manc -
5th October 2020 
