Centralisation of the UK’s local media continues following the sale of the majority of the Guardian Media Group’s regional arm, including the Manchester Evening News and its associated weeklies, to Trinity Mirror Plc. Read more
Parents and teachers fight Stretford school closures
Trafford Council has proposed two schools in Stretford close to form a new Academy. Lostock College and Stretford High School are due to be shut in August with plans for the new Academy based at the site of Stretford High.
Forced labour for Jobseekers
Despite high levels of unemployment due to the recession jobseekers in Greater Manchester will be forced to work up to 40 hours a week as part of the Work for Your Benefits (WfYB) pilot scheme. The region is set to be the trialling ground for a government initiative that will see unemployed people put into [...]
Kick-starting Manchester’s regeneration game (again)
Public money is streaming into private property developers but despite the bail out companies are not required to build extra affordable housing. Andy Lockhart investigates the Northwest companies receiving funds, missing deadlines and continuing to sell at a premium.
Unemployed Workers Unions spring up from Salford initiative
MULE spoke to Alex Halligan, one of the founders of the first modern-day Unemployed Workers’ Union, in Salford. The phenomenon is now sweeping the country, 80 years after the Battle of Bexley Square.
Anger over plans to close community centres
The future of publicly-provided local community centres in Bury is in doubt following the leak of a confidential report. Discovery of the plans have led to the formation of campaign group Save Our Suite to defend the popular Longfield Suite, whose future may be decided next month amid accusations that Bury Council is ignoring residents.
Detained for speaking out
Two people, including a MULE editor, were detained by anti-terror police at Heathrow Airport on January 6 after they raised objections to a deportation taking place on their flight.
Council scores own-goal by closing Urbis
This Saturday, Urbis’ pop culture exhibition centre will close its doors for the last time. The iconic building is due to re-open in August 2011 to house the National Museum Football, relocated from its former home in Preston. Debates over which guise is more interesting, profitable or “good for Manchester” have missed a vital point: deciding [...]
Cutbacks in democracy?
Moves to create an authority to oversee all of Greater Manchester have been criticised as undemocratic. The Manchester City Region Combined Authority will take powers away from elected local councils and put them in the hands of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities Executive Board.
Palestinian farmers refused visas to visit Manchester for Fairtrade Fortnight
In a move which directly contradicts Gordon Brown’s support for Palestinian olive oil gaining Fairtrade accreditation in 2009, the UK Border Agency has refused visas to three Palestinian farmers scheduled to visit the UK during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010. Yet others already legally in the country have resolved to continue.
People’s History Museum re-opens
The People’s History Museum reopened on 13 February. The re-developed riverside gallery returns offering the public a chance to “explore world changing events led by the working people of Britain”.
Hulme regeneration update
Hulme residents are once again facing ‘regeneration’ plans which have been met widespread opposition. The proposals involve demolishing Arch Bar and building six-storey student flats on the site. The bar has been closed since a drive-by shooting in 2007.
Tescopoly: Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect £21 million
Trafford Council are considering granting planning permission for a 166,847 sq ft ‘mega Tesco’ in Stretford, a move which has been met with fierce opposition. The Council say the £21 million raised by the sale of the site could be used to regenerate Lancashire County Cricket Club. The No Mega Tesco campaign claims this amounts [...]
Transport Strategy for Manchester out for consultation
Plans to regenerate part of the region have been released for public debate. The Transport Strategy for Manchester City Centre aims to improve the area’s links and increase use in public transport.
Manchester Adoption Society faces closure
Thousands of children could be going into care following the closure of a charity.
22 Days of Waging Peace
Campaigners against the Brimar military components factory in Chadderton in Oldham braved the snow and sub-zero temperatures to carry out a series of vigils and protests in January.
Solidarity hunger strike for detained asylum seekers
Eighty four Northwest activists will take part in a 24-hour fast this Friday 12 February in support of the 84 detainees on hunger strike in the Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre in Bedfordshire. The female detainees at Yarl’s Wood began their hunger strike to protest at the length of their incarceration in the centre, as [...]
Towards a dis-integrated transport system?
In the wake of a decision to continue the ban of bicycles on Metrolink trams, cycling groups have alleged that the body responsible refused to consult with them and that Greater Manchester Transport Executive (GMPTE) suppressed a crucial document.
Full body scanners introduced to Manchester Airport
Personal privacy was under scrutiny in Manchester last week as the first scanning devices in the city’s airport became compulsory.
£1m brings Internet into the 1990s
With £1 million of high speed internet access coming to Manchester courtesy of the North West Regional Development Agency, where would you put it to do the most good? Ardwick, Rusholme, Longsight or Moss Side maybe? The answer might surprise you…