Greater Manchester’s social and solidarity economy revealed

Transform GM – an action research project looking to understand, map and promote ‘alternative’ economic activity in Greater Manchester (GM) –  have just launched a new website mapping the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The SSE is made up of initiatives which prioritise other values over the economic bottom line and, unlike many charities, are […]

The men behind Manchester City: the dark side

Guest article from Nicholas McGeehan. Second part to an investigation into the background of the owners of Manchester City Football Club: The trailer for the forthcoming Amazon Prime documentary ‘All or Nothing: Manchester City’ is out and it’s hard to escape the feeling that they came mighty close to calling it ‘Death or Glory: Manchester […]

Community union publish Universal Credit survival guide

Increasing numbers of people across Greater Manchester are being signed up or switched over to the controversial and heavily criticised Universal Credit system. To help those struggling to cope with the change to the new welfare system, Greater Manchester Unite Community Branch (GMUCB) have published a Universal Credit survival guide. Universal Credit,  the Tory and […]

Carbon Co-op pulls out of Manchester Science Festival in protest at Shell sponsorship

Guest article from the Carbon Co-op. A  Greater Manchester based community benefit organisation combating climate change by utilising innovative methods to make homes more energy efficient: The Carbon Co-op announced their withdrawal from the 2018 Manchester Science Festival after the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) announced that part of the festival would be sponsored […]

Manchester MP accuses Boris Johnson of Islamophobia and calls for full inquiry

Boris Johnson has been accused of Islamophobia by Manchester MP Afzal Khan, who supports the call of the Muslim Council and other Conservative Muslims for a full inquiry into Islamophobia within the party. Johnson’s remarks comparing Muslim women wearing burqas to “bank robbers” and “letterboxes” have received widespread condemnation, with politicians across all parties demanding […]

Accountability for the Mayor of Greater Manchester: participatory governance in the 21st century

Guest article from Steady State Manchester: It has been over a year since Greater Manchester elected its first Mayor. Since then, Mayor Andy Burnham has worked to build the Mayor’s office as an institution almost from scratch and within the confines of the devolution agreement with central government. This is no small feat, and the Mayor’s […]