Children in England are to be taught in school about how to spot extremist content, fake news, and conspiracy theories online.
In the wake of the recent Southport attack at the end of last month, and the widespread protests and riots that followed in the days and weeks after, new Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has now spoken about her plans to launch a review of the school curriculum, both in primary and secondary schools, in a bid arm children against “putrid conspiracy theories”.
Ms Phillipson says the Department for Education (DfE) is keen to embed critical thinking skills into multiple subjects of the school curriculum, and is aiming to widen students’ access to different cultural subjects.
Ultimately, the Government wants to “give pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life”.
We’re resetting the relationship between the government and those working in education.
Together, we’ll deliver change: the best start in life for every child, high & rising standards and a country where background is no barrier. pic.twitter.com/tojQvUOete
— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) July 8, 2024
Well, as Ms Philippson told The Telegraph this past weekend (10 August), this could mean that schoolchildren would spend time analysing articles in their English lessons to help them learn how to them distinguish between fabricated clickbait and accurate reporting, while in their ICT or computer lessons, they may be taught how to spot fake news sites, and in their maths lessons, analysing statistics in context would form part of the new curriculum.
“It’s more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge what they see online,” Ms Phillipson told The Telegraph.
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“That’s why our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills in lessons to arm our children against the disinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media.
“Our renewed curriculum will always put high and rising standards in core subjects – that’s non-negotiable.”
Greater Manchester Police officers on duty at far-right protests in Manchester earlier this month / Credit: GMP
The news that the Education Secretary is to launch a review of the current school curriculum comes after the moderation and regulation of social media, as a whole, has also been under scrutiny following the UK-wide unrest and disorder in the wake of the Southport attack.
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While the ‘Online Safety Act – which is a regulation of social media platforms – became law in the UK back in 2023, it is yet to fully come into effect nationwide.
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, declared his view last week that the Act was “not fit for purpose”, which has apparently prompted Prime Minister Keir Starmer to hint that he would look at ways to strengthen social media regulations.
Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
12th August 2024 
