Plastic straws, stirrers for drinks and cotton buds are three items which have officially been banned in England from today.
The delayed ban had the original deadline of April set for the introduction of this new legislation – which stops the sale and distribution of the single-use plastic items – but due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on supply chains, the UK government decided to postpone the ban until now.
This new legislation makes it illegal for businesses to sell or supply the items.
It is against the law in almost all circumstances for businesses to hand these items out to customers, however there are exemptions in place to protect disabled people and those with medical conditions who require plastic straws.
Hospitals, bars and restaurants will be permitted to provide the items to the aforementioned exempt.
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Pre-COVID, it was revealed by Defra that people in England use an estimated 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers, and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds each year.
George Eustice – Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – says Number 10 is “firmly committed to tackling” the problem of single-use plastics. He said: “The ban on straws, stirrers and cotton buds is just the next step in our battle against plastic pollution and our pledge to protect our ocean and the environment for future generations.
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“We are already a world-leader in this global effort.
“Our five-pence charge on single-use plastic bags has successfully cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets, we have banned microbeads, and we are building plans for a deposit return scheme to drive up the recycling of single-use drinks containers.”
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Campaigners have welcomed the move, but said the items formed only a “fraction” of the plastic waste littering the environment.
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Sion Elis Williams – of Friends of the Earth – said ministers “must also do more to challenge our throwaway culture by forcing a shift away from all single-use materials in favour of reusable alternatives”.
Tatiana Lujan – of environmental law charity ClientEarth – said that straws, cotton buds and stirrers were “some of the most pointless plastics out there” and the ban on them was “a no-brainer”, but again reminded that they are “a tiny fraction” of single-use plastics and added that countries such as Ireland and France had “shown far more ambition” with targets on reusable packaging and deposit return schemes.
John Read – Founder of Clean Up Britain – also argued that it’s the tip of the iceberg.
He said: “I think the government do deserve some credit for nudging people’s behaviour in the right direction but actually when you look at it, it’s really more piecemeal and symbolic than anything else. We need to change people’s behaviour in a sustainable and permanent way, we need to see a national behavioural change campaign and that’s what we haven’t got in this country at the moment.
“People have got to understand that when they throw away plastic straws, hamburger packets, crisp packets, it’s all their own personal pollution,
“So people understand that they’re doing the damage to the environment.”
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Local artist Michael J. Browne’s latest exhibition is complete and free to view in town
Danny Jones
Celebrated local artist Michael J. Browne (MJB) has finally assembled his latest exhibition, and it’s now on display for free right in the middle of Manchester.
The Moss Side native has completed a number of eye-catching works over the past year or so, which many of you may have noticed steadily cropping up along Deansgate.
Famed for working with the likes of Eric Cantona and the National Football Museum, as well as a viral piece picturing President Donald Trump pride of place in the city centre, he’s been making waves from a particular corner over the past few months.
That piece, along with multiple follow-ups in the collection, can be viewed in the flesh at no cost – and trust us, they’re worth examining up close and personal…
Entitled, ‘A Portrait of Power’, the new exhibit by Michael J. Browne is uneniably one of his most provocative yet, spotlighting figures like Trump, notable British politicians, the Royal Family and more in a big shop window over at Great Northern Warehouse.
Featuring everything from football-themed nods to the likes of Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo, to his monumental ‘Sovereign Servant’ oil painting, which sees recognisable Royals, Conservatives and other famous faces aboard HMS Victory in front of the Houses of Parliament, the intricacy is staggering.
You only have to glimpse one of these point-blank to see the sheer level of detail; collectively, the art amounts to thousands of hours of effort and weeks spent covering every inch of the large canvases.
Exhibiting a bold fusion of historical symbolism with contemporary commentary, drawing from key cultural characters that make up the current zeitgeist, Browne is all about capturing the shifting face of ‘British identity’, as ever amorphous and transient as it may be.
Put simply, this installation is “a portrait of power, legacy, and national reflection.”
Known for his incredibly precise and almost microscopic technique, MJB‘s work has been showcased all over the world, including at the National Portrait Gallery, and never fails to stir up a conversation.
The exhibition will be held for a limited time at his current venue within units 291-293 at Great Northern.
Situated right on the corner of the main Deansgate strip and the adjoining Great Bridgewater Street, it’s hard to miss once you’ve seen it.
Private viewings are also available by appointment for the likes of MPs, political party members and accredited media, as well as interested members of the public.
The Streets have just announced a massive outdoor gig in Manchester
Danny Jones
UK hip-hop, garage and grime icons The Streets have become the latest act confirmed for the Sounds of the City musical festival 2026, announcing a huge outdoor gig in Manchester as part of their shows next summer.
One of the most influential bands in the space, having inspired countless others in adjacent genres over the past couple of decades, The Streets are up there with some of the biggest names to ever book Castlefield Bowl.
Revealing a brand new UK tour in line with a special album anniversary, which features just a handful of domestic live dates, we’re counting ourselves very lucky to be on the list.
Big news! The Streets @mikeskinnerltd will perform 'A Grand Don’t Come For Free' in full for the first time at Manchester Castlefield Bowl & @Yourallypally Park in July 2026 🔥
Set to play the fan favourite amphitheatre for the second time, the 46-year-old frontman and legendary British producer is bringing vocalist Kevin Mark Trail, guitarist Rob Harvey, and a number of other regular session players along for the ride.
Other cities being treated to the experience include the likes of London, Bristol and our mates over in Leeds, too.
The tour itself is to mark 20 years since the release of their seminal second album, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, which remains arguably their most important work.
Skinner and his mates join the likes of The K’s in being the first to join the lineup for Sounds of the City 2026; safe to say it’s already off to a good start.
An incredibly well-received follow-up to their already impressive debut, Original Pirate Material, the much-loved 2004 LP is set to be played in full for the first time EVER.
Speaking on the milestone, Skinner said:“A Grand Don’t Come For Free was a moment in time — for me, and for everyone who grew up with it. I wrote it as a story from beginning to end, even studying screenwriting to shape it and without the faintest idea how people would react.
“We’ve been looking for something bold to do with the live show, and we landed here: some tracks have never been played live, others haven’t surfaced in years.
“It’s a new challenge to bring the whole journey to life on stage, but I have an incredible band, and we always give everything every night. So I’m certain we’ll make finding out what happened to that thousand quid a party every night.”
You can see the full list of shows down below.
The Streets live UK tour dates 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026 – Dreamland – Margate
Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Bristol Sounds – Bristol
Saturday, July 18, 2026 – Alexandra Palace Park – London
Thursday, July 23, 2026 – Ludlow Castle – Ludlow
Friday, July 24, 2026 – Kirkstall Abbey – Leeds
Friday, August 7, 2026 – Audley End Estate – Essex
Friday, August 21, 2026 – Rock n Roll Circus – Norwich
You can get ready to grab your tickets for The Streets live for Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl by signing up for exclusive artist pre-sale access, or you can just go for general admission when they go live next Friday, 17 October HERE.