A shocking new study has revealed that Mancs throw away more than £1,000 of ‘freezable’ food every single year.
Manchester may have earned itself some impressive new titles as of late – including being named one of the UK’s ‘most creative’ cities for 2024, and one of the most desired places to live, to name just a few – but we have a feeling this isn’t one we’re going to be shouting about from the rooftops quite as much, as unfortunately, our food waste habits have been put under the spotlight.
That’s because a new study by leading electricals retailer, AO.com, has named Manchester the ‘food waste capital’ of the UK.
Statistics pulled from the less-than-desirable new study shows that residents in our city waste around 11% of their food shop, or £93.28 per month, equating to more than £1,119 every year – which, according to AO, is enough for a week-long all-inclusive holiday in Marbella for two people.
A shocking new study has named Manchester the ‘food waste capital’ of the UK / Credit: Rawpixel
Common essential groceries such as bread, fruit, and vegetables – all of which can be frozen – were listed as the items that are most likely to end up in the bin, the study revealed.
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Meat and fish, yoghurt, potatoes, and cheese were some of the other food staples named.
“It’s alarming to see the sheer amount of wastage generated by Manchester residents, particularly amid the cost of living crisis,” AO’s food storage expert, Sarah Heaps, commented as the results of the new study were published this week.
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“Binning over £1,100 worth of food annually, which equates to the cost of a family holiday, really puts things into perspective.”
Did you know it’s Stop Food Waste Day? We bin 7 million tonnes of edible food and drink every year, so we’ve got 5 tips to help reduce food waste at home. #StopFoodWasteDaypic.twitter.com/yjDSoyeodJ
Sarah also added that the study highlights that many of the frequently-discarded items can “easily be frozen” to extend their shelf life.
“By portioning out food and using freezing techniques, Mancunians can significantly reduce waste and save money,” she continued. “Embracing smarter food storage solutions and technology is essential in helping us all live more sustainably.”
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Sarah concluded that the survey findings underscore the importance of better food management practices families can adopt.
She says these will “combat waste” and “boost sustainability” in Manchester and beyond.
Featured Image – Rawpixel
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The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home
Emily Sergeant
The Council is now offering financial help to support people moving into a smaller and ‘more manageable’ property.
Ever heard of ‘rightsizing? Well, according Manchester City Council it’s a process where a tenant in a larger social rent, Council, or Housing Association property, that may have more rooms than they need or perhaps are struggling to manage a big house as they get older, can be supported into a smaller property that better suits their needs.
The benefits of this process include cheaper bills, lower rents, and overall, just homes that are easier to clean and manage.
The aim of it is also to free up larger Council properties for families who are on the housing register – of which there are said to be around 20,000 of them currently at this time, with larger homes having some of the most significant wait times.
Are you struggling to look after a big Council or housing association home? We can help!
We are offering £2,500 to help people move into a smaller more manageable home, freeing up larger homes for families that need them.
It’s also estimated, according to the Council, that a third of all social rented family homes are thought to ‘underoccupied’.
This is why financial support and grants are now being offered.
Last year alone, 109 households were helped to ‘rightsize’ and were supported in the process by a dedicated team of Council officers, as well as benefitting from the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme – with a further 432 households having expressed interest doing so in the future.
Residents interested in ‘rightsizing’ could get a cash incentive of £2,500, which can be spent on anything they like, along with moving costs.
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
“Rightsizing could be a brilliant option for older people who are renting a Council home who may have spare rooms they don’t need or would benefit from looking after a smaller property,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development.
“Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help a resident move into a new home.
“The benefit for the city is that we can free up more larger homes for people who are waiting for a property that properly meets their needs. We think around a third of Council tenants could be under occupying their home, which means they could be paying more than they need to or they could be hit with the bedroom tax.”
Does this sound like you? Are you ready to ‘rightsize’? Find out more and begin the process via Manchester City Council’s website here.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
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Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.
“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.
“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th August 2024 
