The North West relies on foodbanks more than anywhere else in the UK
Local charities and organisations are now warning that foodbank usage in the region could "spiral out of control" without sufficient government support.
A number of local charities and organisations are warning that foodbank usage in the North West could “spiral out of control” as it’s revealed that the region tops the list for demand.
The stark warnings come as the number of families with children needing support from foodbanks continues to rise across the North West – with the region claiming four of the areas with the highest number of children living in poverty – and after statistics released by leading foodbank charity The Trussell Trust revealed that it gave out more food parcels within the region than anywhere else in the UK in 2020.
The warnings also come as predictions claim that more than five million children will be living in deprivation by the end of 2021.
On top of that, according to a report by the Food Foundation, 2.3 million children live in households that have experienced food insecurity in the past sixth months, and 4.7 million adults across the UK now experience food insecurity, which is higher than the levels before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit.
Today we launch a report revealing how the pandemic’s effect on household food insecurity remains at crisis levels⚠️
As of March 2021, there are currently 105 foodbanks active across the North West.
ADVERTISEMENT
This latter figure does not however include food parcels that are provided by schools, local authorities or other independent providers, which is why more and more Greater Manchester charities and initiatives say they are having to step in to help families in need and are now calling on the government to introduce a National Poverty Strategy to provide support before the situation “spirals out of control”.
He told ITV Granada: “We urgently need some increases in the support people get through the Benefit System, we’ve got to retain the £20 Universal Credit uplift that was introduced at the start of the pandemic, but that’s just the very first step.
“We need to see increases in Child Benefit and other payments that are targeted at children in families so that all children in this country can live a life that is free from poverty.”
Manzoor Ali – who founded the Chorlton-based foodbank provider Barakah Food Aid over 11 years ago – told ITV Granada of how he has heard tragic stories of young children in the Greater Manchester area having to lick sugar from kitchen tops to stave off hunger.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said: “I could go on for ages, but one that springs to mind is delivering a food parcel and you check in with the kids sometimes ask how are you doing? Is everything ok? And she responded by saying I am really grateful that you came because she saw her younger brother licking sugar off the kitchen tops, it’s stuff like that, I can’t even explain.
“These people in power make out like they care about the country right now the way I look at it, they care more about money than the people.”
Mr Ali’s latter comments particularly hit home when it’s referenced that all the way back in 2001, the then-Labour Government pledged to eradicate child poverty by 2020, but now 20 years later, several charities in the region say things are much worse than they were when the pledge was made.
In response to the rising numbers of families relying on foodbanks across the region and throughout the UK, the government says it has targeted its support to families “most in need” by raising the living wage and boosting welfare support.
It added £23 million has been allocated to North West councils through the COVID Winter Grant Scheme to help pay for food and essential bills.
A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to making sure every child gets the best start in life.
“This is central to our steadfast determination to level up opportunity across the country. That’s why we’ve targeted our support to families most in need by raising the living wage and we have boosted welfare support by billions.
“Additionally, we have launched the COVID Winter Grant Scheme to help children and families stay warm and well fed during the coldest months and £23 million has already been allocated to councils throughout the North West to help pay for food and essential bills.”
___
You can find a list of active foodbanks in the region currently accepting and offering support – as in January 2017 by Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) – via the Greater Together Manchester website here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic GMPA encourages those in need of support to contact food providers direct.
This is regarded as the best way to find out more about the services they are currently offering.
News
Pep Guardiola signs new contract to stay at Manchester City until 2027
Danny Jones
Blues will be delighted to hear that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is staying after agreeing to sign a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2027.
The Catalan coach and supremely talented tactician has won all there is to win with Man City and after completing not only a record-matching treble but making history by becoming the first English team to win four Premier League titles in a row, you could argue his Etihad project is well and truly completed.
Guardiola, who joined City back in 2016, has gradually been creeping towards the end of his most recent contract, leaving those slowly searching for his replacement and the fan base wondering what the future holds for their next chapter.
But it turns out they don’t have to worry about life after Pep for a little while longer, as the 53-year-old has now extended his stay for another two seasons. The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester for the best part of a decade isn’t going anywhere just yet.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, who is comfortably one of the most decorated and celebrated coaches in football history, was due to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.
However, although his contract would have seen him depart by June of next summer, this new deal will now see him stay in post until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, which will see him surpass the 10-year mark and then some.
It’s the news all Blues have been waiting for and an announcement that will no doubt come as a huge relief given the immense success he has brought to East Manchester.
Despite waiting until now to seemingly decide his future, the man himself has actually been pretty clear on the matter, insisting that he “fell in love” with the club from the moment he got here and saying as far back as 2020 that “unless they [CFG] sack me, I will stay here.”
Speaking in an official statement, Guardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.”
Man City fans will honour Pep with a banner which reads in Catalan, 'we want you to stay'…
"They'll have to bring me the bill. I will pay the bank. I don't want them to spend money for that reason. I feel in love since the first day I came here." 🥺
Better still, while the details of the agreement are yet to be fully detailed, it is thought that the new contract still includes an option to extend for an extra year, meaning we could be looking at Pep in Premier League dugouts even longer.
Should City go on to close the gap on current league leaders Liverpool, it would mean Guardiola would have overseen five title wins with the same team in a row: a feat only matched by very few in European football, most notably Juventus and Bayern Munich, the latter having managed 13 consecutive years.
Who knows if/when Guardiola will actually leave the Etihad Stadium for a new challenge, all we know is he changed modern football forever and has given Manchester – a city already spoilt in this respect – some of the most impressive football it’s ever seen.
All we do know is that the beautiful game’s passionate, bald, tiki-taka extraordinaire known simply as Pep is staying in 0161 for the time being and there are countless fans who are absolutely buzzing about it.
Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.
News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.
The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a period of illness, with a member of the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.
Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.
Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/8rLcL10N2Ipic.twitter.com/dkEmCSU1vl
Just heard a top blue Tommy Muir has passed away. Met Tommy years ago, he helped me out with tickets down the years, we shared a few laughs and pints. He gave me this plaque after he rescued it from Maine Road and is something I'll always treasure. RIP Tommy #trueblue 💙⚽ pic.twitter.com/jfbFLfZCKS
By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.
There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.
Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.
Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Speaking to The Manc, General Secretary of City’s Official Supporters Club, Kevin Parker told us: Tommy was a blue through and through and 100% committed to The Supporters Club at Cheadle and its members.
“I have known Tommy for over 30 years and no one deserved the recent success the club has had more than him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and fondly remembered. He will still be watching our wonderful club from the Blue Stands in the Sky telling anyone who disrespects his Club to ‘do one'”
Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.
Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.
Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.
“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”
“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”
Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.
The Manc -
3rd March 2021 
