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Matt Hancock explains that new rules are ‘crystal clear’, despite much public confusion

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Matt Hancock has described the new rules, announced late last night, as ‘crystal clear’ speaking this morning. 

The government have faced backlash this morning over the way they announced new localised restrictions in the North of England last night.

People in Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire were told they could no longer meet anybody from another household indoors.

The ban was announced at 9pm last night, coming into effect at 12pm.

Many people were confused as to what the new rules meant for them and expressed concerns regarding the announcement taking place via Matt Hancock’s Twitter account. 

A short video clip was released shortly after 9pm last night, however, some local public health directors did now know about the new announcement.

The government published its Q&A on the changes at 22 minutes past midnight. They also explained that people can face £100 fines for breaking the rules, despite explaining that the law does not yet exist.

Matt Hancock told Sky News today that the measures are ‘crystal clear’, adding a press conference will be held later today ‘at which more details will be put out and more of the questions will be answered.’ 

He said: “It’s absolutely crystal clear what the measure is. Which is that you shouldn’t socialise with people in other households except in public outdoor places – so not in your own home or your garden.

“You can go to the pub, but with members of your own household.”

Andy Burnham has also expressed concerns regarding the announcement. He told Sky News that ‘last night a lot of people I think felt very uncertain about what exactly was being announced.’

Adding: “So what I would say to them (ministers) is I understand the need to make announcements, I understand the need for decisive action.

“But when ministers go in front of the cameras, make sure you’ve got the detail ready to go exactly at the same time.”

Manchester Central MP and shadow business minister Lucy Powell said: “The way they’ve been announced has frankly been a bit of a disaster.

“Announcing them two hours before they come into effect is a bit of a bolt out of the blue with no-one around able to answer some of the basic questions, I really is not the way to build confidence and to take people with you and to maximise compliance with these steps.

“We really do need some real answers to basic questions this morning so that people can understand what they need to do.”

Tory MP for Hazel Grove William Wragg said: “‘Greater Manchester’ is not one homogeneous area.

“We must always err on the side of caution with COVID, but to treat all 10 boroughs the same is not the right approach.”

The new rules came into effect from Midnight last night and mean you can no longer meet with people outside of your household indoors. 

Mr Hancock said: “The biggest risk in terms of the spread if this virus across this area is household transmission when people are going to see each other in each other’s homes when they’re not in a household together. And also visiting friends and relatives.

“Actually we’re not seeing as much transmission in terms of people in their place of work, going to retail or other areas.”

Matt Hancock has also denied that the action taken was being aimed at curtailing Eid celebrations. 

Asked on BBC’s Today programme whether the measures were to stop Eid celebrations Hancock said:  “No, my heart goes out to the Muslim communities in these areas because I know how important the Eid celebrations are.

“I’m very grateful to the local Muslim leaders, the imams in fact, across the country who’ve been working so hard to find a way to have COVID-secure celebrations.

“For instance celebrating Eid in parks where there’s more space available and of course outdoors is safer than indoors.”

Find out more about the new rules here

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Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries

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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.

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Two men charged with murder after torso discovered in Salford nature reserve

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Greater Manchester Police

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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More human remains discovered in Greater Manchester as police identify victim

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Detectives investigating the discovery of a torso in Kersal Dale have found more human remains around Greater Manchester.

GMP released a statement on the weekend, revealing they had opened four scenes for extensive searches – one of them at a warehouse in Bury, and three in Salford.

Searches took place at Blackleach reservoir, where human remains were found, and a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood.

Officers believe they have now identified the man, who they believe to be a man in his 60s that lived in Salford, and his family have been informed.

Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder probe, with officers saying they are thought to have lived with the victim.

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Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for this investigation, said in a statement at Blackleach reservoir yesterday, Sunday April 28th: “We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.

“From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.

“Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.

“Specially-trained family liaison officers have met with his family this afternoon to give them the devastating news, and we will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.

“We believe he is known to the two suspects we have in custody. They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.”

He continued: “We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation. Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.

“Today, we have found some human remains at the reservoir here, and last night a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood. Forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are, but we are very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.

“We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.

“While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation. I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.

“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”

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