Five things we learned from Tory conference: The return of Farage and Trumpification October 5, 2023 This week, top Tories, councillors, activists and party members gathered in Manchester for their annual get-together. With journalists also swarming the panel events, hotel receptions and late night bars, there was little that went unreported. But amid the not-so warm white wine, dodgy dance moves, and endless speeches, there were a few things that became [...]
‘Done the unthinkable’: HS2 northern leg scrapped, Rishi Sunak confirms in Tory conference speech October 4, 2023 The northern leg of HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester has been scrapped, Rishi Sunak has announced. The Prime Minister confirmed the decision to axe the route as he made his keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today. Sunak said: “I am ending this long running saga. I am cancelling the rest of [...]
Rishi Sunak refuses to say if HS2 to Manchester is being scrapped – six times October 3, 2023 Rishi Sunak has refused to confirm whether HS2 to Manchester is being scrapped six times while being grilled in a live interview. The Prime Minister insisted to BBC Breakfast he had “absolutely not” given up on the multi-billion pound rail scheme which has dominated the Conservative Party Conference. “We’ve got spades on the ground on [...]
Pay boost for 2m workers as Hunt to confirm living wage rises to £11 an hour October 2, 2023 Workers could see their pay packets feel heavier as Jeremy Hunt is set to announce a rise in the national living wage to at least £11 an hour.
Sunak looks to control HS2 costs as backlash grows against plan to cut back project September 26, 2023 Rishi Sunak is reportedly aiming to control the spiralling cost of the HS2 railway line project, which could reach over £100bn.
Scrapping HS2 risks wrecking future UK infrastructure, top Tories warn Sunak September 25, 2023 The government risks wrecking the UK’s future infrastructure projects if it goes ahead with “in effect scrapping” the HS2 railway line. Former Chancellor George Osborne and Tory grandee Lord Heseltine have warned Rishi Sunak that failing to complete HS2 would be “an act of huge economic self-harm”. It follows widespread reports the government is considering [...]
Former Tory PMs hit back at ‘desperate’ move to ditch HS2 to Manchester September 23, 2023 Former premiers have warned Rishi Sunak about “delivering a mutilated HS2” after his Conservative Government refused to deny it was considering axing the Manchester leg. Boris Johnson said suggestions the Birmingham to Manchester route could be chopped over cost concerns were “desperate” and “Treasury-driven nonsense” as he urged the Prime Minister to deliver on the [...]
FA Cup Final hit with fresh rail strike as Manchester fans face disruption getting to London April 27, 2023 The FA Cup Final and Eurovision Song Contest will be disrupted as ASLEF train drivers’ union today announced a series of 24-hour strikes. The 24-hour strikes will take place on Friday 12 May, Wednesday 31 May, and Saturday 3 June, which coincide with FA cup final between Manchester United and City, the last of the [...]
Manchester airport director quits after passengers miss flights due to long queue chaos April 5, 2022 Manchester Airport’s director has quit her role after eight years, following mounting criticism over chaos with queuing. Karen Smart left on Tuesday after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said emergency services could be drafted in to deal with the mayhem. Long queues developed over the past month due to lengthy security checks, which led to [...]
Hundreds of civil servant roles moved to Manchester as government pushes ‘levelling up’ mission February 14, 2022 The government announced this afternoon it will be opening a culture hub in Manchester, adding up to 400 jobs as part of its "levelling up" programme.