News

Students self-isolating at MMU ‘are allowed home and parents can pick them up’

Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcom Press has reportedly made the confirmation today.

The Manc The Manc - 29th September 2020
Manchester Metropolitan University

Reports this morning have suggested that students currently self-isolating at Manchester Metropolitan University will be allowed to return home.

Professor Malcom Press – Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University – apparently spoke with BBC Radio Manchester today, confirming that “students self-isolating are allowed home and parents can pick them up”.

It comes following widespread conversation, coverage and criticism after around 1,700 students were sent an email by the university last Friday telling them they must self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days.

This was in a bid to help contain an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) at the University.

It’s believed that 127 positive cases were confirmed in connection with both the Birley campus and Cambridge halls of residence.

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Some students residing within the aforementioned accommodation however were reportedly caught by surprise at the announcement and apparently only found out about the need to self-isolate when they encountered security guards at the gates who told them they were not permitted to leave.

This then raised questions among members of the public and legal commentators online as to what authority MMU or Manchester City Council has to impose such measures.

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Geograph / Gerald England

Manchester Metropolitan University officials have previously stated that following the short-notice instruction to self-isolate for 14 days, they are “unable to prevent our students from leaving the halls”.

They did however urge students to “do the right thing”.

In the statement published on the Manchester Metropolitan University website on Sunday, Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcom Press said: “I recognise the impact that this situation is having on our students, particularly given the extremely short period of time we had to inform them of the decision.

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“Many of them are away from home for the first time and still finding their feet. Their welfare is our top priority and that is why we have been working hard with organisations around the city since Friday evening to put in place support to help during this 14-day period.

“We are urgently preparing a care package which we hope will ensure students will have the essentials they require in halls, plus financial support to assist them through this challenging period.

“We expect students to follow the guidance for self-isolation set out by the Government and Public Health England and our staff are on hand 24 hours a day to provide support, guidance and deal with concerns. 

“We are unable to prevent our students from leaving the halls, but our students are bright young adults and we trust that they will do the right thing.”

Manchester Metropolitan University

David Regan – Manchester’s Director of Public Health – has also previously confirmed to the MEN that the ‘lockdown’ at the Birley and Cambridge halls is currently optional.

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He said: “We have currently not used any legal measures to enforce the additional requests,”

“We hope our students can understand the rationale for these actions and will support us in helping to contain infection and reduce further spread either amongst the students themselves or into the wider community. The rising weekly incidence rate and increase in the number of COVID hospital admissions at the Manchester Royal Infirmary reinforces why this is so important.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also said that he is “keeping a close eye” on developments at MMU and has reportedly spoken to police to check “everything is in order”.

Superintendent Chris Hill of Greater Manchester Police’s Manchester city centre divison added that they “will continue to work with MMU and local authorities to engage with students and offer advice surrounding the re-opening of universities and staying safe in the current climate” and they understand that “this situation provides a number of challenges for all involved”.

It was also announced yesterday that Manchester Metropolitan University has moved all first and foundation year learning – including all lectures, seminars and classes / workshops – to online and virtual instruction only.

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In the meantime, any students self-isolating will be permitted to return home to continue isolation with their families.

The Manc has contacted Manchester Metropolitan University for comment.

News

Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Dog at the vets

Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.

After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.

The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.

It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.

Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.

Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.

They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.

Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.

Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere

There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.

The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.

The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.

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“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”

Featured Image – Pxhere

News

Police release footage of Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest by hiding under a bed

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Police have released unseen footage of a Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest and justice by hiding under a bed.

David Dale Thompson, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (18 March) where he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of residential burglary at an earlier hearing.

The 43-year-old was caught early last year (15 January 2025) following proactive patrols by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) neighbourhood officers across Rusholme and Moss Side, who were in the area due to a high number of reports of burglaries in the weeks prior.

While on patrol, police spotted Thompson ‘acting suspiciously’ while riding a bike just before 5pm, and once officer subsequently followed him to a property on Boscombe Street, before calling for more officers to attend.

After gaining entry to the address, officers suspected something was wrong when they entered one of the rooms, and after lifting up the bed, they found Thompson hiding in the storage compartment attempting to evade arrest.

GMP has now released footage of the moment Thompson was caught.

Speaking following Thompson’s sentencing last week, Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald, of GMP’s Manchester Central Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was a fantastic example of proactive policing, which has resulted in a serial offender now behind bars.

“We know how devastating a burglary in your own home can be and this shows our commitment to tackling them head on.

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“If you have any information or concerns about neighbourhood crime in your area, make sure you speak to us. In the meantime, we have officers on regular patrols in areas that need us the most.”

Featured Image – GMP

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