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Government to discuss moving Greater Manchester to Tier 3 at ‘Gold Command’ meeting today
JUST IN.
The possibility of moving the Greater Manchester region into Tier 3 will be discussed at a top-level meeting today, according to reports.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said ministers risk confusing residents and has accused the government of ‘piling the pressure’ on the region ‘without negotiating’.
This morning he further reiterated his point saying that he ‘will set out why the current Tier 3 proposal is fundamentally flawed and why we won’t accept it’. He added that the government has not discussed the matters with him.
On Monday, Greater Manchester was placed into Tier 2 of the new Covid Alert Level system, after almost a week of pushback from local leaders and authorities.
Tier 2 means households cannot mix indoors, however, they can mix in private outdoor gardens. Tier 2 also meant avoiding the disaster of a forced closure of hospitality businesses in the area.
Another MP has said it would be ‘utterly maddening’ if a change came so soon after the original announcement.
Boris Johnson warned in the House of Commons that the infection rates in the area are ‘worrying’, putting pressure on local leaders and Labour MPs to ‘prevail on the authorities in Greater Manchester to come into Tier 3’.
Sky News has reported that a ‘Gold Command’ meeting will be held this evening to discuss the move of the region to the highest tier.
A Downing Street source has said they are ‘concerned’ about Greater Manchester and Lancashire and that top-level discussions are needed.
Boris Johnson further outlined that the new rules in Tier 3, including a ban on social mixing indoors or in private gardens and closure of pubs and bars that do not serve meals, acts as a ‘baseline’ for the areas – explaining that other measures can be introduced on local levels.
Previously, leader of Manchester Council Sir Richard Leese has said there is no evidence that closing Covid secure establishments would have an impact on the spread of the virus, but that it would pose an ‘existential threat’ to the businesses and workers of the city.
Yesterday, Andy Burnham tweeted: “Disappointing that the Government is piling the pressure on GM in this way without negotiating.
“It risks confusing people coming so soon after the Tier 2 announcement.
“Our view is unchanged: unfunded restrictions are unfair & will cause real damage to lives, jobs & businesses.”
Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne said: “It will be utterly maddening if Government puts Greater Manchester into Tier 3 before we’ve even given Tier 2 a go… and when our local leaders have put a full & comprehensive package of measures they are confident will work to Ministers, and have been ignored. So much for Devo!”
In the briefing on Monday, Boris Johnson confirmed that if necessary, the government would step in and impose tougher local lockdown restrictions without the agreement of local politicians.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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