Manchester
UK PM Burnham opens ‘No. 10 North’ in Manchester to shift power beyond London
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened a new government office in Manchester, saying the move marks the beginning of a major shift in political power and investment away from London.
The new office, known as "No. 10 North," is about 260 kilometres from the prime minister's official residence at 10 Downing Street and is central to Burnham's plan to give more powers and funding to regional leaders across the UK.
Burnham, who previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester before becoming prime minister, said the office represents "a North Pole that balances the South Pole" of Westminster politics.
"This is not just another office. It represents a fundamental change in how the country approaches growth and investment," he said on Friday.
Burnham plans to work from the Manchester office at least one day each week alongside a permanent team of advisers, civil servants and policy experts.
More powers for local leadersAs part of the new approach, Burnham announced that regional mayors will be allowed to keep a larger share of income and business tax revenue collected in their areas.
He described the move as the biggest transfer of power, funding and responsibility from the central government in a generation, although details of the funding arrangements have yet to be released.
Burnham hopes the policy will help create jobs and boost economic growth in areas that have struggled with industrial decline, unemployment and population loss.
Building on Manchester's successDuring his nine years as Greater Manchester mayor, Burnham oversaw major investment in the city, including new housing, public transport and business development.
Supporters say his approach combined public investment with private sector partnerships while giving local communities greater control over housing, transport and public services.
Burnham now wants to apply the same model across the country.
Mixed reactionsPolitical analyst Rob Ford of the University of Manchester said the move shows Burnham is serious about reducing the UK's traditionally centralised system of government.
"The UK is one of the most centralised democracies in the developed world. Changing that will be a major challenge," Ford said.
Critics, however, argue that Manchester's economic success has not benefited all surrounding communities and say Burnham must ensure other regions also receive greater powers and investment.
Support from regional leadersSupporters welcomed the decision to establish a government office outside London.
Rose Marley, chief executive of Cooperatives UK, said holding government meetings in Manchester would make it easier for organisations outside the capital to engage with ministers.
She also said the move could help ensure a wider range of regional voices is heard in national decision-making.
Some residents also supported the initiative but said similar offices should eventually be created in other parts of England to ensure balanced regional development.
Burnham said No. 10 North is intended to become a permanent centre for regional decision-making as part of his government's broader plan to reduce the UK's long-standing economic divide between London and the rest of the country.
4 days ago
This is the top travel destination of 2023 according to Lonely Planet
The authoritative travel guidebook publisher, Lonely Planet was founded in 1973. Besides travel guidebooks, they produce monthly magazines and travel shows. One of the highlights each year from Lonely Planet is their list of top travel destinations across the globe. None other than Manchester has just made it to the first position of the top destinations of 2023. Are you wondering whether Manchester is the best place to travel in 2023? Let’s have a look at this northwestern end of England and what should excite potential tourists.
7 Best Places to Visit in Manchester
The history of Manchester is fairly new, unlike other territories of the British union. Up until the 19th century, Manchester was a simple Lancastrian township. With the industrial boom of the early 19th century, Manchester started to grow rapidly due to unplanned urbanization and ever-expanding textile industries.
Today Manchester stands as a postindustrial urban city rich with its township heritage, and Victorian aura and home to several sporting and media institutes.
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Canals of Castlefield
The first thing you can do embarking on Manchester is to visit the canals of Castlefield. The canals and their surrounding Victorian buildings have been restored and are now part of the Urban Heritage Park.
A walk down the canal will take you to the Roman fort and Bridgewater. Here you will find several tour boat options for a Venice-esque experience of Manchester.
And if you have a passion for art and opera, be sure to stop by the Castlefield Art Gallery and Bridgewater hall.
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Imperial War Museum North
Those who have interest in war history should never miss a trip to the Imperial War Museum North. It is the extension of the main museum situated in London.
The Manchester branch was established in 2002 and has an impressive collection of war weapons and fighter jets used in several British engagements. But perhaps the best thing about the museum is the documentaries on war history.
The impressive audiovisuals take back the visitors to prehistoric times to as recent as the last world war.
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Manchester Cathedral
Much of the UK’s history revolves around the church of England and its associated cathedrals. These palatial structures have been a key tourist destination in almost every corner of the UK. And Manchester is no exception.
Here tourists can visit the historic Manchester cathedral, founded in the mid-15th century. While it's relatively new compared to its peers, the centuries of history are still a testament to the city’s rise as a prominent English metropolis.
Be it the choir stalls, tapestries, or the misericords; the Manchester cathedral will surely leave you awestruck with a sense of divinity.
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Manchester Museum
One of the most notable structures on Oxford Road is the Manchester Museum. It is currently part of Manchester University and prides itself on being the largest university museum in the world.
About 4.5 million artifacts and historical documents are stored in the Manchester museum. The museum especially prides itself on its Chinese cultural collection. The museum is undergoing major renovations and is expected to open by early 2023, perfect for the new year.
Manchester Football Museum
Anyone with remote knowledge of football has heard of Manchester City and Manchester United. The two top English premier league clubs share their home in Manchester. So it's only fitting that the city would have its own football museum.
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The museum will definitely take you on a trip down memory lane. The impressive documentaries present here would surely give goosebumps to any diehard football fans. The museum also houses important memorabilia of the two clubs from their long and illustrious history.
China Town
China Town is home to the Chinese community of Manchester. The way they have developed the community here is a marvel in itself. Stepping through the gates, it would feel like you’ve been transported to an actual Chinese city.
The place has some exquisite Chinese architecture which is sure to enthrall you. Besides, there are Chinese cultural souvenir shops available throughout the main street. But the place is actually famous for its Chinese cuisine. If you’re craving some authentic Chinese cuisine in Manchester, then China Town is the place to be.
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How to Reach Manchester
Most people take a direct flight to the Manchester International Airport. However, if you’re coming via London, a host of options are available for you.
You can either take a flight, bus or train from London to Manchester. Airfare costs about $70 or 7070 BDT, while bus and train cost $20 and $100 or 2020 BDT and 10100 BDT, respectively (1 USD = 101 BDT).
The best way to get around inside Manchester is either by bus or tram. Tourists can get the daily tram or bus pass which ranges from 6.6 GBP to 10 GBP or 806 BDT to 1221 BDT per day (1 GBP = 122 BDT).
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Food and Accommodation in Manchester
If you’re traveling with family or your partner, there are a host of hotels and inns available in the greater Manchester area. However, the cost-saving route would be to book an Air BnB. Air BnB in urban Manchester would cost you around $35 to $50 or 3535 BDT or 5050 BDT per night.
However, if you’re traveling solo, then we suggest you book one of many available hostels in the city. The all-inclusive cost of hostels tends to be between $15 to $20 or 1515 BDT to 2020 BDT per night.
If you want something fancy to eat, head over to the Laundrette, Delhi House, Slug and Lettuce, or Double Zero Neapolitan. Fine dining in Manchester can cost you up to $50 per person. But a simple takeaway or walk-in diners would cost between $10 to $15.
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Final Words
While Manchester is globally known for its football heritage and a seat for higher education, the city has many more charming aspects and tourist attractions. The city has been featured in the 2023 list of top travel destinations by Lonely Planet. So when are you planning a trip to Manchester?
3 years ago
Football Transfers 2021: Why Lionel Messi should play for Manchester City next season
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest footballers. However, he has not been able to maintain his usual form in competitive football for the past two years. There are two reasons for this: first, Messi is no longer as fit as he once was due to his age, and second, Barcelona and Argentina no longer have world-class footballers. A notable number of new footballers have been included in Barcelona. With whom it is not possible to win big trophies. So in this article, we discuss why Lionel Messi should play for Manchester City next season.
Why Lionel Messi should leave FC Barcelona
Helping Barcelona to overcome the economic downturn
Barcelona are going through an economic recession. According to various sources, their current debt is estimated to be 1. 2 billion euros. On the other hand, Messi's current annual salary is 71 million euros. Apart from him, the Catalan club also has high-paid players like Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezman.In addition, Barcelona have suffered heavily due to the coronavirus outbreak. Overall, if Messi leaves, Barcelona will save a lot of money.
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Responding to critics by playing in the Premier League
There's a saying about Messi that he doesn't play well outside of his comfort zone. Messi has been a success for Barcelona, but not so much for Argentina. Many believe that he will struggle to succeed if he plays in the English Premier League. That's why Messi should play in the Premier League for at least two or three seasons to respond to his critics.
Opportunity to win the Champions League once again
Lionel Messi has not won the Champions League trophy since 2015. Along with Suarez and Neymar, Messi won the most coveted club-level football competition in Europe for Barcelona that season. But with the best players leaving the club, Barcelona have been unable to form a competitive squad capable of winning major trophies. As a result, the Catalan club is being eliminated from the knock-out stages every year. Messi will have the opportunity to play for the best team in the world if he joins Manchester City. As a result, Messi's chances of winning another Champions League before retirement will increase.
Ending the GOAT debate
It will be a strong response to many critics if Messi wins the Premier League and the Champions League for Manchester City. Then there will be no doubt on anyone's mind that he is the real GOAT. Because what Messi has achieved is truly remarkable, and no one is likely to surpass his overall record.
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Why Manchester City should sign Messi
Chances of reuniting with Pep Guardiola
When Pep Guardiola was at Barcelona a few years back, he certainly brought out the best version of Messi. Guardiola was Barcelona's coach from 2008 to 2012. Playing under Pep, Messi scored 211 goals in 219 matches and had a total of 88 assists. Barcelona won a record 14 trophies under his management. So, Lionel Messi can find his best form by playing under Pep again. Man City will benefit a lot if he is included in the squad.
Strengthening the forward line of Manchester City
Without playing any forward, Pep Guardiola is leading Manchester City to new heights. In short, he is redefining football. Guardiola is bringing out excellent results by playing some world-class midfielders instead of strikers. Manchester City will improve if Lionel Messi joins the squad, then it would be difficult to stop them. There is no alternative to Messi if Man City want to be an irresistible team in Europe.
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Manchester City will be hot favorite to win the Champions League
Manchester City are yet to win the Champions League despite hiring the best coach in the world, Pep Guardiola, in 2016.That demonstrates how difficult it is to win Europe's best tournament. Apart from luck, winning such a championship requires one or two best football players on the team.They will be the X factors and in that case, Lionel Messi may be the most ideal option for citizens.
Manchester City's brand value would significantly increase
Manchester City are still lag behind Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United In terms of brand value. The brand value of Man City will increase by several times if they can bring one of the best footballers in history, Lionel Messi to Etihad. The citizens will also benefit financially. Overall, it will be a win-win situation for both Messi and Man City.
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Verdict
So far, we have discussed some of the key reasons Why Lionel Messi should play for Manchester City. It would be difficult for Messi to leave Barcelona after 21 years and find a new club. Because Messi has a strong emotional attachment to this club. However, Messi should accept the reality and seek a new challenge. In this case, the above discussion explains why Lionel Messi should play for Manchester City next season. Messi will have the chance to cement his place as the greatest player of all time by playing in the Premier League.
5 years ago
Coronavirus: Biman suspends flights to London, Manchester
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended all of its flights to London and Manchester, England for one week after March 29 to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.
6 years ago
Multiple people stabbed at shopping center in manchester
London, Oct. 11 (Xinhua/UNB) -- Several people are being treated after a stabbing incident close to a shopping center in Manchester, local media said Friday.
6 years ago