News

Mother's Day gives us a ready-made opportunity to express our love and gratitude to those who raised us. Lots of us also recognise other caregivers in society, but how many will be extending their thoughts to other species? Very few, probably, but the reality is that the billions of animals used in the food, clothing and entertainment industries will not be spending Mother's Day, or any other day for that matter, with their offspring. Farmed animals get the worst deal,...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The Labour leader has pulled no punches and savaged his party’s political and economic record under Brown and Blair. During his first major speech to business chiefs he attacked the pervious leaders for an "unsustainable" handling of the economy. Jezza tore apart New Labour for its 'light touch’ regulation of the banking sector, the heavy reliance on PFI schemes and inability to raise wages for the lowest paid. Corbyn has clearly tried to create economic...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Salford Council have brought a in Public Space Protection Order to cover the Salford Quays area hoping to curb anti-social behaviour. If anyone uses “foul and abusive language,” it will deemed a criminal offence due to the workings of the order. However, it does not stipulate what words are “foul and abusive.” If anyone is nabbed doing it, they will be slapped with an on-the-spot fine. This order will impact on Manchester United fans on...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor More economic gloom as housebuilding activity plunged to lowest level in almost three years. The depressing figures follow on from news in the manufacturing sector, reeling from poor global conditions and the looming EU referendum. Tuesday’s manufacturing index showed it had slipped to its worst month in almost three years in February. The housebuilding data comes from Markit/CIPS construction purchasing managers’ index growth in the building sector which sank to a 10 month low in...

Hilary Clinton is the odds on favourite to become the next US President, according to trading on Matchbook. The chances of her being inaugurated as the 44th President of the US rose from 59 per cent to 64 per cent following a super 'Super Tuesday'. Meanwhile Donald Trump's probability of securing the nomination has risen 1.5 percentage points, moving to 79.32 per cent from 77.84 per cent. However, having doubled his probability of becoming president in the last six weeks, the...

Super fast growth companies know as 'gazelles' are expected to contribute £38 billion to the UK economy in exports by 2020, according to new research. The report finds London's medium-sized businesses are set for a growth spurt over the next few years up to 2020 - increasing their contribution to GVA from £62 billion in 2015 to £76 billion in 2020. This is largely due to an exciting group of super fast growth companies knows as ‘gazelles', which are companies that have...

Most people are familiar with SATs tests, the milestone assessments that pupils, teachers and schools are judged on and which have a lasting impact on all concerned. What most people who do not work in schools will not realise is what an absolute swizz, travesty and total mockery of education they are. In these days of performance-related pay (itself an abused and laughable system in schools), teachers are in the awkward position of either inflating levels of achievement in order...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Politics hit another new low when a Tory MP shouted at shadow chancellor John McDonnell to “shuddap you face.” The bizarre heckle was shouted out as McDonnell wanted some answers from George Osborne about dodgy bankers. It is not clear who shouted out the insult, but Greg Hands carried on with his statement and made no note of the remark. The put down is inspired by Joe Dolce’s 1980 comedy song and is an Italian-American insult....

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The news has been pretty full of the union of 28 states bound by an economic and increasingly (add angry emoji here if applicable) political union. However, Jeremy Corbyn wanted to chat about the education system during today’s PMQs; another error at the despatch box in my opinion. He did look noticeably smarter though; an upgrade from Matalan to Asda George. It might be that the leader of the opposition doesn’t want to go too...