Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS, recently asked the government for some of the extra £350m per week funding pledged on the side of the Brexit bus, to alleviate the crisis in the NHS due to chronic under funding. In reply the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget fell far short of Steven’s request, allocating just £350 […]
Austerity: the false economy increasing homelessness (part two)
Second article in ‘The Meteor Explores: Homelessness in Manchester‘ series. Part one of this story can be viewed here: The safety net of the ‘cradle to grave’ welfare state, implemented by Atlee’s government after the Second World War, is becoming increasingly threadbare due to the economic and humanitarian degradations of austerity. Increasing numbers in the […]
Greater Manchester pre-budget rally hears calls to bring down Tory government
Guest article from the Salford Star: A pre-budget rally on the steps of GMex in Manchester, last night, heard constant calls for the ‘arrogant and cruel’ Tory Government to be brought down. Speakers at the Manchester People’s Assembly rally included trade unionists, Labour Party councillors, the Canon of Manchester Cathedral, plus a message from Julie […]
Kinofilm Festival shorts are expanding the boundaries of cinema
The Meteor has been in attendance for every step of the short films and animation Kinofilm Festival. The films may be short, but they are packed full of quality cinematography, acting, production techniques and exceptionally creative story telling you would struggle to find in the comparatively straight jacketed world of long form cinema. The festival […]
Kinofilm Festival kicks off with a star studded red carpet bash
The Kinofilm Festival opens this Saturday with a star studded opening gala at the Odeon, Great Northern, in Central Manchester. Former Coronation Street stars Denise Welch and Jack Deam (also appeared in Shameless) will be attending, along with Ewen Macintosh who played Keith Bishop in The Office. The red carpet bash, with drinks on arrival, […]
Manchester says no to Balfour Declaration Centenary Celebration
The Balfour Declaration centenary ‘celebrations’ opened in Manchester on All Hallows’ Eve against a backdrop of mass protests. The centenary event, part of the “Balfour 100” tribute, and attended by Israeli ambassador Mark Regev, was switched to the Hilton hotel by the organisers after University of Manchester students found out that Whitworth Hall at the […]
Greater Manchester councils accused of ‘fuelling the fire’ of climate change
Greater Manchester’s local authority pension fund is ‘Fuelling the Fire’ of global climate change by heavily investing in the fossil fuel industry, claims a consortium of environmental campaigners. Describing the GM fund as being “the dirtiest in the UK” due to the £1.8 billion invested in “climate wrecking companies”, which is over 10% of its […]
As Manchester gets no affordable housing from developers, Shelter urges end to planning evasion
Guest article from the Salford Star: Research by housing charity Shelter has shown that where ‘viability assessment’ has been used by developers in planning, 79% of affordable homes have been lost. Shelter looked at planning applications for eleven councils, including Manchester where no affordable houses were provided as developers used the get-out. Separate research by […]