themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Anger as free school meal voucher scheme to end over summer

Labour has criticised the government after it said it will not extend a scheme to provide free school meals for the poorest of students over the summer holidays .
Downing Street has revealed the scheme will end before the six-week summer break starts at the end of next month .
The £15-a-week vouchers are available to use in local supermarkets by parents whose children who usually have received a free school lunch .
The vouchers have been used since mid-March during the coronavirus lockdown in the UK .
Following pressure from teaching unions and charities , the Department for Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May half term to help hard-pressed families coping with lost income during the pandemic .
But Downing Street has now revealed that the scheme will come to an end when the summer holidays begin at the end of July .
The move sparked a swift backlash , with Labour ’ s deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeting : `` Kids don ’ t suddenly stop being hungry just because it ’ s the summer holidays , Boris Johnson ” .
Around 1.3 million children are eligible for the free meal vouchers , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , income support , income-based employment and support allowance , income-based job seekers allowance or child tax credit .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s official spokesman told HuffPost UK : “ The voucher scheme will not run over the summer.
” He explained that a separate £9 million project , allowing local areas to bid for funds for summer holiday activity and meals clubs , could be expanded instead .
But the Feeding Britain charity said that only a small number of areas benefited from the holiday programme .
Andrew Forsey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Absent from all the recent reports , around the government ’ s plans to help disadvantaged children over the summer holiday , has been any mention of how these plans will safeguard every child ’ s access to nutritious food .
“ Now the voucher scheme is reaching its conclusion , we need the government to extend its holiday activities and food scheme across the whole country .
`` That is the only remaining option for protecting every child from hunger and malnutrition .
”

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Labour has criticised the government after it said it will not extend a scheme to provide free school meals for the poorest of students over the summer holidays.
Downing Street has revealed the scheme will end before the six-week summer break starts at the end of next month.
The £15-a-week vouchers are available to use in local supermarkets by parents whose children who usually have received a free school lunch.
The vouchers have been used since mid-March during the coronavirus lockdown in the UK.
Following pressure from teaching unions and charities, the Department for Education extended funding over the Easter holiday and May half term to help hard-pressed families coping with lost income during the pandemic.
But Downing Street has now revealed that the scheme will come to an end when the summer holidays begin at the end of July.
The move sparked a swift backlash, with Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeting: "Kids don’t suddenly stop being hungry just because it’s the summer holidays, Boris Johnson”.
Around 1.3 million children are eligible for the free meal vouchers, which are provided to most parents receiving Universal Credit, income support, income-based employment and support allowance, income-based job seekers allowance or child tax credit.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman told HuffPost UK: “The voucher scheme will not run over the summer.”
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He explained that a separate £9 million project, allowing local areas to bid for funds for summer holiday activity and meals clubs, could be expanded instead.
But the Feeding Britain charity said that only a small number of areas benefited from the holiday programme.
Andrew Forsey, national director, told HuffPost UK: “Absent from all the recent reports, around the government’s plans to help disadvantaged children over the summer holiday, has been any mention of how these plans will safeguard every child’s access to nutritious food.
“Now the voucher scheme is reaching its conclusion, we need the government to extend its holiday activities and food scheme across the whole country.
"That is the only remaining option for protecting every child from hunger and malnutrition.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Man who punched pregnant girlfriend in the face in sickening attack spared jail

A man who attacked his pregnant girlfriend has avoided jail .
Peter Dougal , 32 , repeatedly punched the woman at her home in Oldham while she was 13 weeks pregnant .
She suffered a fractured eye socket during the attack , in which she was struck to the face .
Dougal , from Oldham , received a suspended sentence after a judge said he could be rehabilitated and heard he was remorseful .
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Dougal had been in a relationship with the woman for about 18 months .
On December 19 last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they played pool .
At the pub , Dougal became involved in an argument with other drinkers , prosecutor Andrew Mackintosh said .
They left and returned to her home at about 9pm .
He apologised for his behaviour in the pub .
Dougal later got out some cannabis , and his girlfriend asked where he had obtained it .
They began to argue , and she told Dougal to leave .
He grabbed hold of her face and started to drag her around the kitchen , the court heard .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and intervene .
Dougal threw her to the floor , and he punched her to the face 'with all his force ' , Mr Mackintosh said .
She hit him on the head with a coffee cup to try and get him off , but he continued to punch her to the face , causing her to 'black out ' .
He left but returned later to pick up some keys , 'behaving as if nothing had happened ' , prosecutors said .
She suffered 'heavy bruising ' to her face , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her she had suffered a fractured eye socket , but she did n't undergo any further treatment .
Dougal apologised , but after his behaviour 'did n't improve ' she called in the police on Boxing Day .
He was arrested the same day , and said ' I 'm ashamed of myself ' while being led away by officers .
The court heard the child is due to be born next month .
In a statement taken by police on Boxing Day , the woman said she thought she was 'going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time she said she did n't 'want him in my life anymore ' .
The court heard that she now wants to continue their relationship , and for Dougal , who has no previous convictions , to be part of their child 's life .
Defending , Kimberley Morton said Dougal has cut down on his drinking and has sought help from health organisations .
She said Dougal , who previously worked as a site manager on construction sites , believes he 'needs to sort himself out ' before embarking on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepted that Dougal is 'truly remorseful ' and said that he can be rehabilitated .
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison , suspended for two years .
He must complete a six month alcohol treatment program , 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days , a building better relationships program and observe a curfew from 8pm to 6am for two months .
Dougal , of Egerton Street , Oldham , pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm .

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A man who attacked his pregnant girlfriend has avoided jail.
Peter Dougal, 32, repeatedly punched the woman at her home in Oldham while she was 13 weeks pregnant.
She suffered a fractured eye socket during the attack, in which she was struck to the face.
Dougal, from Oldham, received a suspended sentence after a judge said he could be rehabilitated and heard he was remorseful.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Dougal had been in a relationship with the woman for about 18 months.
On December 19 last year, the couple had been to a pub where they played pool.
At the pub, Dougal became involved in an argument with other drinkers, prosecutor Andrew Mackintosh said. They left and returned to her home at about 9pm. He apologised for his behaviour in the pub.
Dougal later got out some cannabis, and his girlfriend asked where he had obtained it. They began to argue, and she told Dougal to leave.
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He grabbed hold of her face and started to drag her around the kitchen, the court heard.
She screamed, hoping neighbours would hear her and intervene.
Dougal threw her to the floor, and he punched her to the face 'with all his force', Mr Mackintosh said.
She hit him on the head with a coffee cup to try and get him off, but he continued to punch her to the face, causing her to 'black out'.
He left but returned later to pick up some keys, 'behaving as if nothing had happened', prosecutors said.
She suffered 'heavy bruising' to her face, but no underlying injuries.
Doctors later told her she had suffered a fractured eye socket, but she didn't undergo any further treatment.
She didn't report the attack immediately.
Dougal apologised, but after his behaviour 'didn't improve' she called in the police on Boxing Day.
He was arrested the same day, and said 'I'm ashamed of myself' while being led away by officers.
The court heard the child is due to be born next month.
In a statement taken by police on Boxing Day, the woman said she thought she was 'going to die' during the incident.
At that time she said she didn't 'want him in my life anymore'.
The court heard that she now wants to continue their relationship, and for Dougal, who has no previous convictions, to be part of their child's life.
She declined a restraining order.
Defending, Kimberley Morton said Dougal has cut down on his drinking and has sought help from health organisations.
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She said Dougal, who previously worked as a site manager on construction sites, believes he 'needs to sort himself out' before embarking on a relationship.
Sentencing, Judge Tina Landale accepted that Dougal is 'truly remorseful' and said that he can be rehabilitated.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He must complete a six month alcohol treatment program, 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a building better relationships program and observe a curfew from 8pm to 6am for two months.
Dougal, of Egerton Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Premier League free TV matches: Which games will be shown by BBC and Sky Sports

The Premier League is set to return on June 17 and , for the first time since the league was created in 1992 , some matches will be broadcast free-to-air .
Sky Sports will show 25 of their 64 live matches in the remainder of the 2019-20 season for free , while the BBC and Amazon Prime will also broadcast four matches .
That provides a significant boost the supporters who have been waiting patiently for the return of the season and the feast of live coverage is a landmark for Premier League football .
Never before have Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the standard 3pm Saturday blackout has been lifted for the remainder of the season , representing another milestone .
But what matches can you watch for free and how many will be available on free-to-air ?
We have gathered everything we know so far .
How many matches will be shown for free ?
Sky Sports will make 25 of their remaining 64 televised matches in the 2019/20 season available free-to-air , the first time the subscription-based product has been available for no fee .
The BBC will also televise four matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that the four matches they will be airing will be available for free and subscription to the service is not required .
That brings the total amount of free Premier League matches in the remainder of the 2019/20 season to 33 - over a third of the remaining 92 matches .
BT Sport have stated that there are no plans for coverage of any of their 20 Premier League matches remaining this season to be available as free-to-air .
However , they will be offering 50 % bill credit .
A BT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delighted to see the provisional plan to restart the Premier League next month .
Should all proceed safely , we look forward to broadcasting 20 Premier League games to our BT Sport customers .
“ With the return of live Bundesliga , UFC and now the Premier League in June , we can confirm that as a gesture of goodwill we will also be offering customers a further bill credit to the value of 50 % of their BT Sport monthly subscription.
” What matches are being shown for free ?
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for free have now been confirmed , split across Sky Sports , the BBC and Amazon Prime video .
What has the BBC said ?
`` This opportunity creates an historic moment for the BBC and our audiences , '' director of BBC Sport , Barbara Slater said .
`` At a time when sports fans across the country are in need of a lift , this is very welcome news . ''
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said he was delighted , adding : `` That 's a first in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us to be excited about , actually covering a live Premier League game . ''
What has Sky Sports said ?
Sky CEO and EVP , UK and Europe , Stephen van Rooyen said : `` The return of live sport is a big moment for the country , and we want the nation to join us .
Sky has partnered with the Premier League clubs for nearly thirty years , and the strength of our partnership has never been more important .
“ Our commitment to showing 25 matches 'free to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history of Sky Sports recognises the unique times we are in , and our desire to play our part .
`` We have developed some terrific new innovations to give football fans the very best experience of watching live sport , when going to the match with family and friends is n't possible , and we look forward to sharing these with football fans shortly . ''
What has Amazon said ?
Alex Green , managing director of Prime Video Sport Europe , said : `` Like the rest of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League return to action .
`` We will be making all four of Amazon Prime Video 's additional fixtures in the 2019-20 season available free of charge ; fans will not need a Prime membership to view the games on Prime Video . ''
What has the government said ?
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed that sport will be able to return imminently and stated he set two ‘ two challenges ’ for the return of Premier League football .
`` First , that a reasonable number of remaining Premier League games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Second , that the financial benefits of returning will be shared throughout the entire football family .
`` I 'm glad to confirm today that a third of matches to finish the season will now be free to view including the Liverpool v Everton derby and live Premier League football will be on the BBC for the first time in its history . ''

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The Premier League is set to return on June 17 and, for the first time since the league was created in 1992, some matches will be broadcast free-to-air.
Sky Sports will show 25 of their 64 live matches in the remainder of the 2019-20 season for free, while the BBC and Amazon Prime will also broadcast four matches.
That provides a significant boost the supporters who have been waiting patiently for the return of the season and the feast of live coverage is a landmark for Premier League football.
Never before have Premier League matches been available to watch for free and the standard 3pm Saturday blackout has been lifted for the remainder of the season, representing another milestone.
But what matches can you watch for free and how many will be available on free-to-air? We have gathered everything we know so far.
How many matches will be shown for free?
Sky Sports will make 25 of their remaining 64 televised matches in the 2019/20 season available free-to-air, the first time the subscription-based product has been available for no fee.
The BBC will also televise four matches for free and Amazon Prime has also announced that the four matches they will be airing will be available for free and subscription to the service is not required.
That brings the total amount of free Premier League matches in the remainder of the 2019/20 season to 33 - over a third of the remaining 92 matches.
What about BT Sport?
BT Sport have stated that there are no plans for coverage of any of their 20 Premier League matches remaining this season to be available as free-to-air. However, they will be offering 50% bill credit.
A BT spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to see the provisional plan to restart the Premier League next month. Should all proceed safely, we look forward to broadcasting 20 Premier League games to our BT Sport customers.
“With the return of live Bundesliga, UFC and now the Premier League in June, we can confirm that as a gesture of goodwill we will also be offering customers a further bill credit to the value of 50% of their BT Sport monthly subscription.”
What matches are being shown for free?
The first 11 of the live matches being shown for free have now been confirmed, split across Sky Sports, the BBC and Amazon Prime video.
(19/06) Norwich City vs Southampton - 18:00 (Sky Sports)
(20/06) Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace - 19:45 (BBC)
(21/06) Newcastle United vs Sheffield United - 14:00 (Sky Sports)
(21/06) Everton vs Liverpool - 19:00 (Sky Sports)
(24/06) Manchester United vs Sheffield United - 18:00 (Sky Sports)
(24/06) Norwich City vs Everton - 18:00 (BBC)
(24/06) Burnley vs Watford - 18:00 (Sky Sports)
(24/06) Watford vs Southampton - 12:30 (Sky Sports)
(29/06) Crystal Palace vs Burnley - 20:00 (Amazon Prime)
(30/06) Brighton vs Manchester United - 20:15 (Sky Sports)
(01/07)Bournemouth vs Newcastle United - 18:00 (Sky Sports)
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What has the BBC said?
"This opportunity creates an historic moment for the BBC and our audiences," director of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater said.
"At a time when sports fans across the country are in need of a lift, this is very welcome news."
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said he was delighted, adding: "That's a first in Premier League history. That's something for us to be excited about, actually covering a live Premier League game."
What has Sky Sports said?
Sky CEO and EVP, UK and Europe, Stephen van Rooyen said: "The return of live sport is a big moment for the country, and we want the nation to join us. Sky has partnered with the Premier League clubs for nearly thirty years, and the strength of our partnership has never been more important.
“Our commitment to showing 25 matches 'free to air' for the first time in the history of Sky Sports recognises the unique times we are in, and our desire to play our part.
"We have developed some terrific new innovations to give football fans the very best experience of watching live sport, when going to the match with family and friends isn't possible, and we look forward to sharing these with football fans shortly."
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What has Amazon said?
Alex Green, managing director of Prime Video Sport Europe, said: "Like the rest of the country, we are excited to see the Premier League return to action.
"We will be making all four of Amazon Prime Video's additional fixtures in the 2019-20 season available free of charge; fans will not need a Prime membership to view the games on Prime Video."
What has the government said?
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed that sport will be able to return imminently and stated he set two ‘two challenges’ for the return of Premier League football.
"First, that a reasonable number of remaining Premier League games will be broadcast free-to-air,” he said.
"Second, that the financial benefits of returning will be shared throughout the entire football family.
"I'm glad to confirm today that a third of matches to finish the season will now be free to view including the Liverpool v Everton derby and live Premier League football will be on the BBC for the first time in its history."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Premier League update on Man City vs Liverpool as four games confirmed

Manchester City 's home game against Liverpool in the Premier League on July 2 could be played at a neutral venue as the Premier League confirmed details of their next four fixtures .
City will return to Premier League action with their game in hand against Arsenal on Wednesday June 17 at the Etihad .
That game will kick off at 8.15pm , and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports .
All games will be played behind closed doors .
The following Monday ( June 22 ) sees City welcome Burnley to the Etihad with an 8pm kick off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sky Sports .
That fixture kicks off run of three games in the space of seven days as City are due to travel to Chelsea on Thursday June 25 ( kick off 8.15pm , live on BT Sport ) , before the trip to Newcastle on Sunday June 28 for the FA Cup quarter final which will kick-off at 6.30pm and be broadcast on the BBC .
City then get a four-day rest before facing Liverpool on July 2 with an 8.15pm kick-off .
The game will be live on Sky Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed a venue for the game , meaning it could be played at a neutral venue .
If Liverpool , who do not have a game in hand and do n't play on the FA Cup quarter final weekend , win their next two league games , they will face City as newly-crowned champions .
However , if Liverpool were to drop points in either game , they would face City needing a point or more to seal the title ( assuming City win all their fixtures before that date ) .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to delay naming a venue for the clash with City .
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said : “ We are pleased to provide fans with further updates on the provisional restart of the Premier League season .
“ We know it won ’ t be the same without our loyal supporters in stadiums but , together with our broadcast partners , we are able to ensure fans can watch or listen to each match live from home .
It is important that as many people as possible can access our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a third of our remaining fixtures will be televised free-to-air here in the UK .
“ I am delighted we are able to take another positive step towards the season returning in just under two weeks ’ time . ''

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Manchester City's home game against Liverpool in the Premier League on July 2 could be played at a neutral venue as the Premier League confirmed details of their next four fixtures.
City will return to Premier League action with their game in hand against Arsenal on Wednesday June 17 at the Etihad. That game will kick off at 8.15pm, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. All games will be played behind closed doors.
The following Monday (June 22) sees City welcome Burnley to the Etihad with an 8pm kick off. This game will also be broadcast on Sky Sports.
That fixture kicks off run of three games in the space of seven days as City are due to travel to Chelsea on Thursday June 25 (kick off 8.15pm, live on BT Sport), before the trip to Newcastle on Sunday June 28 for the FA Cup quarter final which will kick-off at 6.30pm and be broadcast on the BBC.
City then get a four-day rest before facing Liverpool on July 2 with an 8.15pm kick-off. The game will be live on Sky Sports, but the Premier League have not confirmed a venue for the game, meaning it could be played at a neutral venue.
If Liverpool, who do not have a game in hand and don't play on the FA Cup quarter final weekend, win their next two league games, they will face City as newly-crowned champions.
However, if Liverpool were to drop points in either game, they would face City needing a point or more to seal the title (assuming City win all their fixtures before that date). This probability could be a reason for the decision to delay naming a venue for the clash with City.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “We are pleased to provide fans with further updates on the provisional restart of the Premier League season.
“We know it won’t be the same without our loyal supporters in stadiums but, together with our broadcast partners, we are able to ensure fans can watch or listen to each match live from home. It is important that as many people as possible can access our games so we are extremely happy that more than a third of our remaining fixtures will be televised free-to-air here in the UK.
“I am delighted we are able to take another positive step towards the season returning in just under two weeks’ time."
Confirmed Man City fixtures:
17/06 - Arsenal (H), 8.15pm - Sky Sports
22/06 - Burnley (H), 8pm - Sky Sports
25/06 - Chelsea (A), 8.15pm - BT Sport
28/06 - Newcastle, FA Cup (A), 6.30pm - BBC
02/07 - Liverpool (H), 8.15pm - Sky Sports, venue to be confirmed


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Manchester's disadvantaged kids facing biggest learning gap 'in decades'

Children in Manchester are among those to suffer the greatest impact of lockdown on their learning , MPs have been told .
With one in five children here classed as 'persistently disadvantaged ' , the city ranks among Liverpool , Knowsley , Middlesbrough and Sunderland for having the worst rates in England .
The figures relate to those whose parents are out of work for 80 per cent or more of their time in school and who are often two years of learning behind other students by the time they take their GCSEs .
Ministers have been told that because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these children who are now likely to 'fall further behind other students than at any time in the last couple of decades ' .
The Commons Education Committee met virtually yesterday to hear evidence about the impact of the pandemic on education and children 's services .
David Laws is executive chairman of the Education Policy Institute ( EPI ) - an independent evidence-based research body that aims to improve education outcomes for all children , regardless of social background .
He told MPs that while as yet there is no reliable data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attainment gap has been affected so far during lockdown , the country went into the 'education crisis ' 'in a not particularly strong position in relation to gap closure ' .
He said : `` We can say three things about the gap and what 's likely to happen now .
`` We have seen the gap in England fortunately close over the last 10 or 15 years , from government to government , but over the last couple of years , the closure of the gap appears to have ground to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis without any positive downward momentum to narrow the gap .
`` Secondly , although we ca n't say for certain what 's happened to the disadvantaged gap so far , as we 've heard from the Children 's Commissioner , all of the evidence that 's come in so far , both about what 's happened in previous similar crises and also in terms of the surveys that have been undertaken ... all of those indicate that disadvantaged youngsters are suffering more and are less able to cope with the home learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He added : `` The third point that we want to make is that people have lost sight a bit recently of the fact that there is one particular group of children who have not benefited from the gap closure over the last 15 years and that is those who find themselves in persistently disadvantaged households where their parents are out of work for 80 per cent or more of their time in school .
`` For those young people the gap has n't shrunk over the last 10 or 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we think that , given the gap is likely to increase for all disadvantaged youngsters over the next year or so , persistently disadvantaged are likely to fall further behind other students than at any time in the last couple of decades and that presents a particular challenge for parts of the country with very high densities of those disadvantaged pupils . ''
Mr Laws said that in London , Manchester and other areas of high persistent disadvantage , 'the government has wanted to level-up opportunity over the next few years ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the absence of interventions to stop the gap widening we , I 'm afraid , are not going to see a levelling up particularly for this group , but we may see the most difficult circumstances they they have faced for some time in relation to other pupils . ''
Anne Longfield , the Children 's Commissioner for England , highlighted that despite the limited reopening of primary schools this week , eight million pupils are currently out of school and could be until September .
And as well as the disadvantaged children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during lockdown , 'the scale of other children that will be not reaching their potential because of this time out of education , is also immense ' .
She stressed that the government needs to ensure that 'persistently disadvantaged children are not only known and seen but get the support they need ' .
Natalie Perera , executive director of EPI , said one 'quick and practical ' step schools can take is to identify the children who have consistently qualified for free school meals throughout their education .
`` Schools will know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meals and there 'll know if that pupil has been in their school , whether they 've consistently been eligible for free school meals each year , '' she said .
`` That 's how they can target those persistently disadvantaged pupils . ''
And she stressed the importance of not losing track of those pupils as they transition to high school .
But the committee was also told that it will be some time until the true impact the pandemic has on education is fully known .
Ms Perera added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the true nature of the gap until after students have taken their exams next year in 2021 .
Once we get the data for that , we will be able to analyse it and create a true understanding of what 's started to happen post Covid . ''
All vulnerable children have been eligible to attend school throughout the lockdown , as well as the children of key workers .
Where vulnerable children are not attending , the government has asked local authorities , schools and colleges to continue to keep in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this period .
A Department for Education spokesperson said : “ We will do whatever we can to make sure no child , whatever their background , falls behind as a result of coronavirus .
“ The government has already committed over £100 million to support children to learn at home , and pupil premium funding at the highest ever per pupil rate continues to be paid to schools to help them support their disadvantaged pupils .
“ The Education Endowment Foundation ’ s innovative online tuition pilot is an important example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering , with a range of partner organisations , what more is required to support all pupils who have been affected by school closures .
”

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Children in Manchester are among those to suffer the greatest impact of lockdown on their learning, MPs have been told.
With one in five children here classed as 'persistently disadvantaged', the city ranks among Liverpool, Knowsley, Middlesbrough and Sunderland for having the worst rates in England.
The figures relate to those whose parents are out of work for 80 per cent or more of their time in school and who are often two years of learning behind other students by the time they take their GCSEs.
Ministers have been told that because of the coronavirus pandemic, it's these children who are now likely to 'fall further behind other students than at any time in the last couple of decades'.
The Commons Education Committee met virtually this week to hear evidence about the impact of the pandemic on education and children's services.
(Image: Getty Images)
David Laws is executive chairman of the Education Policy Institute (EPI) - an independent evidence-based research body that aims to improve education outcomes for all children, regardless of social background.
He told MPs that while as yet there is no reliable data to give any certainty about how the attainment gap has been affected so far during lockdown, the country went into the 'education crisis' 'in a not particularly strong position in relation to gap closure'.
He said: "We can say three things about the gap and what's likely to happen now.
"We have seen the gap in England fortunately close over the last 10 or 15 years, from government to government, but over the last couple of years, the closure of the gap appears to have ground to a halt and so we go into this crisis without any positive downward momentum to narrow the gap.
"Secondly, although we can't say for certain what's happened to the disadvantaged gap so far, as we've heard from the Children's Commissioner, all of the evidence that's come in so far, both about what's happened in previous similar crises and also in terms of the surveys that have been undertaken ... all of those indicate that disadvantaged youngsters are suffering more and are less able to cope with the home learning environment than youngsters with more advantaged backgrounds."
(Image: Getty Images)
He added: "The third point that we want to make is that people have lost sight a bit recently of the fact that there is one particular group of children who have not benefited from the gap closure over the last 15 years and that is those who find themselves in persistently disadvantaged households where their parents are out of work for 80 per cent or more of their time in school.
"For those young people the gap hasn't shrunk over the last 10 or 15 years, it's actually increased slightly and we think that, given the gap is likely to increase for all disadvantaged youngsters over the next year or so, persistently disadvantaged are likely to fall further behind other students than at any time in the last couple of decades and that presents a particular challenge for parts of the country with very high densities of those disadvantaged pupils."
Mr Laws said that in London, Manchester and other areas of high persistent disadvantage, 'the government has wanted to level-up opportunity over the next few years'.
But he warned: "In the absence of interventions to stop the gap widening we, I'm afraid, are not going to see a levelling up particularly for this group, but we may see the most difficult circumstances they they have faced for some time in relation to other pupils."
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, highlighted that despite the limited reopening of primary schools this week, eight million pupils are currently out of school and could be until September.
And as well as the disadvantaged children and those who have become newly disadvantaged during lockdown, 'the scale of other children that will be not reaching their potential because of this time out of education, is also immense'.
She stressed that the government needs to ensure that 'persistently disadvantaged children are not only known and seen but get the support they need'.
Natalie Perera, executive director of EPI, said one 'quick and practical' step schools can take is to identify the children who have consistently qualified for free school meals throughout their education.
"Schools will know which pupils are eligible for free school meals and there'll know if that pupil has been in their school, whether they've consistently been eligible for free school meals each year," she said.
"That's how they can target those persistently disadvantaged pupils."
And she stressed the importance of not losing track of those pupils as they transition to high school.
But the committee was also told that it will be some time until the true impact the pandemic has on education is fully known.
Ms Perera added: "We won't be able to know the true nature of the gap until after students have taken their exams next year in 2021. Once we get the data for that, we will be able to analyse it and create a true understanding of what's started to happen post Covid."
All vulnerable children have been eligible to attend school throughout the lockdown, as well as the children of key workers.
Where vulnerable children are not attending, the government has asked local authorities, schools and colleges to continue to keep in touch with these children and young people during this period.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We will do whatever we can to make sure no child, whatever their background, falls behind as a result of coronavirus.
“The government has already committed over £100 million to support children to learn at home, and pupil premium funding at the highest ever per pupil rate continues to be paid to schools to help them support their disadvantaged pupils.
“The Education Endowment Foundation’s innovative online tuition pilot is an important example of support in this space and we are considering, with a range of partner organisations, what more is required to support all pupils who have been affected by school closures.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Premier League confirm first three Man United fixtures in restart

Manchester United will return to action in the Premier League on Friday , June 19 when they face Tottenham Hotspur .
The Premier League have now confirmed dates , kick-off times and broadcast information for the first three rounds of fixtures when the campaign resumes in less than two weeks .
United 's first fixture back will be their first visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium , with the game kicking-off at 8.15pm .
The battle between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side and a Spurs outfit led by the man he replaced at Old Trafford , Jose Mourinho , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are back at Old Trafford on Wednesday , June 24 , with Sheffield United the visitors .
That game , which could be crucial in the battle for Champions League qualification , will also be live on Sky Sports and will kick-off at 6pm .
That fixture had been listed as one that could be moved to a neutral venue , but United 's official website has listed it as taking place at Old Trafford .
Then on Tuesday , June 30 , United travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8.15pm and will also be live on Sky Sports .
In between the clash with Sheffield United and the trip to Brighton comes the FA Cup quarter-final , with United away at Norwich City , which will kick-off at 5.30pm on Saturday , June 27 , live on BBC One .
The 2019/20 campaign has been suspended since mid-March , with the most recent Premier League fixture for United back on March 8 in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford , when they beat Man City 2-0 .
United have nine games left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they remain in the FA Cup and the Europa League .
UEFA are still planning to finish their continental competitions in August , with United having one foot in the quarter-finals after a 5-0 victory over LASK in their Europa League last 16 first leg .

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Manchester United will return to action in the Premier League on Friday, June 19 when they face Tottenham Hotspur.
The Premier League have now confirmed dates, kick-off times and broadcast information for the first three rounds of fixtures when the campaign resumes in less than two weeks.
United's first fixture back will be their first visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the game kicking-off at 8.15pm. The battle between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side and a Spurs outfit led by the man he replaced at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho, will be live on Sky Sports.
United are back at Old Trafford on Wednesday, June 24, with Sheffield United the visitors. That game, which could be crucial in the battle for Champions League qualification, will also be live on Sky Sports and will kick-off at 6pm.
That fixture had been listed as one that could be moved to a neutral venue, but United's official website has listed it as taking place at Old Trafford.
Sign up to our free MUFC email newsletter Get the latest breaking Manchester United transfer news and analysis every day direct to your inbox with our free MUFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
Then on Tuesday, June 30, United travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton and Hove Albion. That fixture kicks-off at 8.15pm and will also be live on Sky Sports.
In between the clash with Sheffield United and the trip to Brighton comes the FA Cup quarter-final, with United away at Norwich City, which will kick-off at 5.30pm on Saturday, June 27, live on BBC One.
The 2019/20 campaign has been suspended since mid-March, with the most recent Premier League fixture for United back on March 8 in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, when they beat Man City 2-0.
United have nine games left to play in the Premier League season and they remain in the FA Cup and the Europa League. UEFA are still planning to finish their continental competitions in August, with United having one foot in the quarter-finals after a 5-0 victory over LASK in their Europa League last 16 first leg.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Werner transfer development could be the wake-up call Man City need

As statements of intent go , Chelsea signing Timo Werner would send out a huge message to the rest of the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window .
Having already agreed to sign Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech , reports on Thursday suggest Chelsea will beat Liverpool to the signing of RB Leipzig striker Werner for around £50m .
Liverpool seemed favourites to sign Werner in a move that would have suited both the player and the club .
On closer inspection , though , Chelsea could be an even better fit for the German international - a prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take note .
Under Frank Lampard , Chelsea have quietly remained in the top four for much of the current season , and they are best placed to finish in the final Champions League spot .
They have done this without a world-class striker , instead developing Tammy Abraham with the experience of Olivier Giroud in support and the talented but inconsistent Michy Batshuayi .
Werner 's 31 goals for Leipzig this season is seven more than Abraham , Batshuayi and Giroud combined .
Werner would undoubtedly improve their front-line , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatening considering Chelsea already have Ziyech to join the likes of Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi who have both been injured in spells this season .
Defence remains a weakness , but a couple of smart additions to go with another year of experience for their youthful back-line and Chelsea could pose a far greater threat to City and Liverpool next season - not just in their head-to-head games , but also when it comes to challenging for the Premier League title .
Alternatively , it could work in City 's favour that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stamford Bridge , will also be able to hurt Liverpool rather than strengthen their own title defence .
Liverpool have only dropped points twice this season , and that has to change if City are to stand a chance of regaining their title .
Still , that would only prove to be an advantage if City 's defence could deal with Werner in their own games against Chelsea .
The need for a new centre-back was apparent for City this summer regardless of anyone else 's transfer business .
Now , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance knowing they will likely face another world-class forward in a team who will be quietly confident of disrupting City and Liverpool 's two-horse battle for the title in the last two years .
City now know they are not just competing with Liverpool next season , and they must act accordingly in the transfer market .

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As statements of intent go, Chelsea signing Timo Werner would send out a huge message to the rest of the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window.
Having already agreed to sign Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech, reports on Thursday suggest Chelsea will beat Liverpool to the signing of RB Leipzig striker Werner for around £50m.
Liverpool seemed favourites to sign Werner in a move that would have suited both the player and the club. On closer inspection, though, Chelsea could be an even better fit for the German international - a prospect which should make Manchester City sit up and take note.
Under Frank Lampard, Chelsea have quietly remained in the top four for much of the current season, and they are best placed to finish in the final Champions League spot. They have done this without a world-class striker, instead developing Tammy Abraham with the experience of Olivier Giroud in support and the talented but inconsistent Michy Batshuayi. Werner's 31 goals for Leipzig this season is seven more than Abraham, Batshuayi and Giroud combined.
Werner would undoubtedly improve their front-line, which all of a sudden looks far more threatening considering Chelsea already have Ziyech to join the likes of Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi who have both been injured in spells this season.
Defence remains a weakness, but a couple of smart additions to go with another year of experience for their youthful back-line and Chelsea could pose a far greater threat to City and Liverpool next season - not just in their head-to-head games, but also when it comes to challenging for the Premier League title.
Alternatively, it could work in City's favour that Werner, if he does move to Stamford Bridge, will also be able to hurt Liverpool rather than strengthen their own title defence. Liverpool have only dropped points twice this season, and that has to change if City are to stand a chance of regaining their title. Still, that would only prove to be an advantage if City's defence could deal with Werner in their own games against Chelsea.
The need for a new centre-back was apparent for City this summer regardless of anyone else's transfer business.
Now, though, that search has been given slightly more importance knowing they will likely face another world-class forward in a team who will be quietly confident of disrupting City and Liverpool's two-horse battle for the title in the last two years.
City now know they are not just competing with Liverpool next season, and they must act accordingly in the transfer market.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Nearly 30 Rochdale firms ignored lockdown to carry on trading

Nearly 30 Rochdale businesses carried on trading after being forbidden by lockdown rules .
Regulations which came into force almost three months ago banned cafes , pubs and restaurants from opening to the public .
Other businesses , including nightclubs , theatres , gyms and hair salons were also ordered to close their doors in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus .
But Rochdale council received 148 complaints about premises that were allegedly continuing to operate , despite the instruction from the Prime Minister on March 20 .
Enforcement officers made 75 site visits and found 28 businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new health protection regulations .
The council issued warning letters to offending firms either on site or through the post .
However , no official enforcement action was taken as every firm contacted by the council agreed to close , meaning prohibition notices did not have to be served .
No businesses were found to be open again after being told to close by the council .
Coun Sara Rowbotham , the council ’ s cabinet member for health and wellbeing , has praised the business community for keeping to lockdown rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are very pleased that the majority of businesses in our borough have been following the government guidance closely , which has allowed many to remain open and operate safely .
“ Businesses are keen to work with us to make any necessary changes to ensure compliance and keep their customers and staff safe .
“ There are some businesses which should still remain closed and we encourage residents and employees to report any concerns to us.
” Anyone who suspects a business is not operating safely , or is trading while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rochdale.gov.uk

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Nearly 30 Rochdale businesses carried on trading after being forbidden by lockdown rules.
Regulations which came into force almost three months ago banned cafes, pubs and restaurants from opening to the public.
Other businesses, including nightclubs, theatres, gyms and hair salons were also ordered to close their doors in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.
But Rochdale council received 148 complaints about premises that were allegedly continuing to operate, despite the instruction from the Prime Minister on March 20.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
Enforcement officers made 75 site visits and found 28 businesses were still trading despite being forbidden by the new health protection regulations.
The council issued warning letters to offending firms either on site or through the post.
However, no official enforcement action was taken as every firm contacted by the council agreed to close, meaning prohibition notices did not have to be served.
No businesses were found to be open again after being told to close by the council.
Coun Sara Rowbotham, the council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, has praised the business community for keeping to lockdown rules during the crisis.
She said: “We are very pleased that the majority of businesses in our borough have been following the government guidance closely, which has allowed many to remain open and operate safely.
“Businesses are keen to work with us to make any necessary changes to ensure compliance and keep their customers and staff safe.
“There are some businesses which should still remain closed and we encourage residents and employees to report any concerns to us.”
Anyone who suspects a business is not operating safely, or is trading while forbidden by lockdown rules should email report.biz@rochdale.gov.uk


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Three ways Manchester United could line up with Kai Havertz

Manchester United are looking to bolster their attacking options this summer and Kai Havertz is one player of interest to them .
United have identified Jadon Sancho as their primary target for the end of the season but Havertz is another name who has mass appeal .
MEN Sport revealed earlier this week that Havertz would be open to a move in the coming months .
Havertz is capable of playing either out wide or through the middle .
Here are three ways he could be deployed by United if they were to sign him .
The majority of Havertz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed as an attacking midfielder , and this is an area in which United are keen to strengthen in the summer .
It would be hard to envisage a midfield in which Havertz , Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba fit together as none of them are particularly defensive-minded , so for this to work Pogba would perhaps have to assume a more withdrawn role in the team .
We 've put Jadon Sancho in the team just to give a flavour of how threatening the team could look if United land the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is this side would still be reckless going forward , and would be vulnerable to any side on the counter-attack .
Another option for United would be to deploy Havertz on the right wing , something which could work perfectly in the current system for a couple of reasons .
Firstly , Havertz has five goals and five assists from ten appearances on the right flank this season , while his preference as a left-footer means he often cuts inside .
This not only mirrors the inverted options on the left wing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack on the overlap .
Deploying the Germany international here would be at the expense of Sancho and would be a back-up option rather than preference over the Borussia Dortmund star .
Solskjaer is a big fan of a versatile attacking option and Havertz is also a player who could bolster their threat from a central area in attack .
The 20-year-old has netted seven goals in seven appearances as a designated central option this season and is capable of playing either as a false nine or just behind a more static @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upfront would make for an incredible strike force along with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford , while the prospect of throwing Sancho into the mix would make for one of the deadliest attacking quartets in world football .

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Manchester United are looking to bolster their attacking options this summer and Kai Havertz is one player of interest to them.
United have identified Jadon Sancho as their primary target for the end of the season but Havertz is another name who has mass appeal.
MEN Sport revealed earlier this week that Havertz would be open to a move in the coming months.
Havertz is capable of playing either out wide or through the middle. Here are three ways he could be deployed by United if they were to sign him.
As an attacking midfielder
The majority of Havertz's performances this season have come when deployed as an attacking midfielder, and this is an area in which United are keen to strengthen in the summer.
It would be hard to envisage a midfield in which Havertz, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba fit together as none of them are particularly defensive-minded, so for this to work Pogba would perhaps have to assume a more withdrawn role in the team.
We've put Jadon Sancho in the team just to give a flavour of how threatening the team could look if United land the two high-profile Bundesliga talents.
Obviously the caveat is this side would still be reckless going forward, and would be vulnerable to any side on the counter-attack.
As a right winger
Another option for United would be to deploy Havertz on the right wing, something which could work perfectly in the current system for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, Havertz has five goals and five assists from ten appearances on the right flank this season, while his preference as a left-footer means he often cuts inside. This not only mirrors the inverted options on the left wing, but it allows freedom for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to attack on the overlap.
Deploying the Germany international here would be at the expense of Sancho and would be a back-up option rather than preference over the Borussia Dortmund star.
As a shadow striker
Solskjaer is a big fan of a versatile attacking option and Havertz is also a player who could bolster their threat from a central area in attack.
The 20-year-old has netted seven goals in seven appearances as a designated central option this season and is capable of playing either as a false nine or just behind a more static striker.
Havertz's pace and agility upfront would make for an incredible strike force along with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, while the prospect of throwing Sancho into the mix would make for one of the deadliest attacking quartets in world football.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--The 'desperate' Bury Market trader caught shoplifting to survive in lockdown

A market trader whose stall closed down because of the coronavirus lockdown says he has been left so desperate for money that he was forced to shoplift food to survive - and says he may have to resort to shoplifting again to make ends meet .
Bury Market trader Waseem Iqbal , 46 , says his income vanished overnight when the market shut down in March to all but essential food stalls .
Mr Iqbal 's says his stall , Waseem Foam Home , had been selling foam for soft furnishings , along with cushions and sofas , for 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was shocked to be out of work all of a sudden after more than a decade on the market and wanted to get earning again .
When the lockdown came into full force Mr Iqbal - who says he does n't have the best level of English - says he had no idea who to turn to and how to seek help .
When asked by the Manchester Evening News whether he knew about the government 's financial relief schemes available for business owners during lockdown , he said he simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Without any state benefits , he struggled for money and found himself on the verge of destitution .
Mr Iqbal says he sold many his belongings , including his car and his TV , before admitting that he resorted to shoplifting from Home Bargains and Farmfoods - something he was ashamed to say he might have to do again as he spends days 'going hungry ' .
Mr Iqbal told the M.E.N : “ I want help but I don ’ t know who will help me .
“ I have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I have no money , no food , nothing .
I do go hungry for a couple of days sometimes .
“ I have had to sell my TV and my car to get some money .
“ My daughter is 23 and she has been supporting me with my mortgage .
“ I have been on Bury Market for 15 years and have worked very hard all that time .
I make furniture , sofas and cushions .
I work six days a week on the market and the other day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered - it was a shock to be doing nothing .
“ If the market was open it would give me a chance to get money and support .
I am hopeful that I ’ m going to go back to the market but no one has told me when that will be .
“ But I will probably have to shoplift again .
I just have no money .
I do n't know where I can go.
” Mr Iqba , who lives in Bury , appeared before Manchester Magistrates Court on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweets from Home Bargains and Farmfoods to the combined value of £64 .
He said he was hoping to sell-on some of the stolen items to bring in some desperately-needed cash .
The court heard that on April 15 , Mr Iqbal had gone into Home Bargains and picked up ‘ numerous bags ’ of sweets .
Prosecutor Martha Dowd said : “ He then left the store setting the alarms off .
“ A police officer was walking past when his attention was drawn by the alarms into the store .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted the items were stolen and he said he stole them as he had no money .
“ The officer then asked him why he was outside and he said it was to shoplift to get some items to sell .
He was initially charged with breaking lockdown , but the offences were withdrawn by the prosecution .
Mr Iqbal was said to have previous convictions for shoplifting dating back to 2009 .
In mitigation , his defence lawyer Nicola Hall said that Mr Iqbal had a stall on Bury Market , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to close the stall down .
“ He hadn ’ t received benefits - he had no money , ” Ms Hall said .
“ As a consequence of that , he did it out of desperation .
“ He has now established a benefit claim and there has been no recurrence .
“ He did it out of desperation .
“ The court recognises it had arisen out of significant financial hardship.
” Sentencing him to a 12 month conditional discharge , District Judge Margaret McCormack said : “ You entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You cooperated with the police at the scene and you made admissions and I have heard the reasons for this .
“ It ’ s sad that you ’ re back before the courts , you were somebody regularly before the courts , and you stole to get yourself in your good job .
“ You have to keep out of trouble for the next 12 months , if you appear before any court and are found guilty of any offence , you can be resentenced for these matters.
” Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court costs and £32 victim surcharge .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Helena Vesty, Amy Walker)

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A market trader whose stall closed down because of the coronavirus lockdown says he has been left so desperate for money that he was forced to shoplift food to survive - and says he may have to resort to shoplifting again to make ends meet.
Bury Market trader Waseem Iqbal, 46, says his income vanished overnight when the market shut down in March to all but essential food stalls.
Mr Iqbal's says his stall, Waseem Foam Home, had been selling foam for soft furnishings, along with cushions and sofas, for 15 years on the market.
Mr Iqbal said he was shocked to be out of work all of a sudden after more than a decade on the market and wanted to get earning again.
When the lockdown came into full force Mr Iqbal - who says he doesn't have the best level of English - says he had no idea who to turn to and how to seek help.
(Image: MEN Media)
When asked by the Manchester Evening News whether he knew about the government's financial relief schemes available for business owners during lockdown, he said he simply did not understand how to access them.
Without any state benefits, he struggled for money and found himself on the verge of destitution.
Mr Iqbal says he sold many his belongings, including his car and his TV, before admitting that he resorted to shoplifting from Home Bargains and Farmfoods - something he was ashamed to say he might have to do again as he spends days 'going hungry'.
Mr Iqbal told the M.E.N: “I want help but I don’t know who will help me.
“I have had no business, I’m struggling. I have no money, no food, nothing. I do go hungry for a couple of days sometimes.
“I have had to sell my TV and my car to get some money.
“My daughter is 23 and she has been supporting me with my mortgage.
“I have been on Bury Market for 15 years and have worked very hard all that time. I make furniture, sofas and cushions. I work six days a week on the market and the other day I make the furniture that has been ordered - it was a shock to be doing nothing.
“If the market was open it would give me a chance to get money and support. I am hopeful that I’m going to go back to the market but no one has told me when that will be.
“But I will probably have to shoplift again. I just have no money. I don't know where I can go.”
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Mr Iqbal, who lives in Bury, appeared before Manchester Magistrates Court on June 4 and pleaded guilty to stealing sweets from Home Bargains and Farmfoods to the combined value of £64.
He said he was hoping to sell-on some of the stolen items to bring in some desperately-needed cash.
The court heard that on April 15, Mr Iqbal had gone into Home Bargains and picked up ‘numerous bags’ of sweets.
Sign up to the free MyBury email newsletter Get news updates from Bury direct to your email inbox with the free MyBury newsletter. Simply click on this link, enter your email address, and select 'MyBury News'
Prosecutor Martha Dowd said: “He then left the store setting the alarms off.
“A police officer was walking past when his attention was drawn by the alarms into the store.
“He spoke to Mr Iqbal and he admitted the items were stolen and he said he stole them as he had no money.
“The officer then asked him why he was outside and he said it was to shoplift to get some items to sell.
“The stolen items were found and returned.”
He was initially charged with breaking lockdown, but the offences were withdrawn by the prosecution.
Mr Iqbal was said to have previous convictions for shoplifting dating back to 2009.
In mitigation, his defence lawyer Nicola Hall said that Mr Iqbal had a stall on Bury Market, but due to the coronavirus lockdown, he had to close the stall down.
“He hadn’t received benefits - he had no money,” Ms Hall said.
“As a consequence of that, he did it out of desperation.
(Image: MEN Media)
“He has now established a benefit claim and there has been no recurrence.
“He did it out of desperation.
“The court recognises it had arisen out of significant financial hardship.”
Sentencing him to a 12 month conditional discharge, District Judge Margaret McCormack said: “You entered guilty pleas to two allegations of theft.
“You cooperated with the police at the scene and you made admissions and I have heard the reasons for this.
“It’s sad that you’re back before the courts, you were somebody regularly before the courts, and you stole to get yourself in your good job.
“You have to keep out of trouble for the next 12 months, if you appear before any court and are found guilty of any offence, you can be resentenced for these matters.”
Mr Iqbal was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and £32 victim surcharge.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Mass gatherings to protest George Floyd death 'unlawful' - Met Police

Mass protests in the UK over the death of an unarmed black man , George Floyd , at the hands of police in the US are “ unlawful ” due to the current coronavirus restrictions , a senior Metropolitan Police officer has warned .
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told the BBC 's Radio 4 Today programme people should not be meeting in groups of six for health reasons .
He said : “ The health protection regulations are really clear that it is unlawful .
“ The government said that for health reasons people should not be meeting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly encourage people not to come out and gather in these large numbers because they are putting themselves and others at risk .
“ And if they do come out , then we would ask them to observe that social distancing , think about those around them.
” Crowds have gathered in London and Birmingham this week to protest over the death of Mr Floyd , 46 , after a white officer held him down by kneeling on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25 as he struggled to breathe .
A demonstration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow afternoon .
Mr Floyd 's death led to days of protest in the US and Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) demonstrations across the world .
Protesters in Birmingham last night “ made their voices clearly heard ” , police said , but there were no arrests and no disorder .
Crowds gathered in the city ’ s Centenary Square , where a silence was observed in memory of Mr Floyd .
Demonstrators , many wearing protective face masks , had been due to congregate in nearby Victoria Square but moved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several hundred people then headed to an area outside West Midlands Police ’ s Lloyd House HQ , where many of them knelt or sat in the road with their fists raised .
The protest came after pockets of protesters clashed with police as thousands of people flooded into central London and abandoned social distancing for a BLM demonstration on Wednesday .
After a largely peaceful demonstration in Hyde Park , during which Star Wars actor John Boyega gave an impassioned speech , tensions later escalated outside Downing Street .
The Metropolitan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Lockwood , director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct ( IOPC ) , which oversees complaints made against forces in England and Wales , has urged officers to listen to ethnic minority communities .
Writing in The Independent , he said : “ Right now , communities in the UK are expressing real and growing concerns about disproportionality .
“ Only two weeks ago we highlighted increasing community concerns about the use of Taser .
“ We are also hearing concerns about stop and search and , most recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black people .
“ There must be more research to understand issues of disproportionality , as well as assurance and scrutiny around tactics like use of force and stop and search.
” Demonstrations across the US have included clashes between police and protesters , with officers recorded firing tear gas and rubber bullets on crowds .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “ appalled and sickened ” to see what happened to Mr Floyd , while chief constables from across the UK issued a joint statement saying they “ stand alongside all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and horrified ” .
An online-only rally is due to take place this Sunday , campaign group Stand Up to Racism said , with speakers to discuss “ how we turn the new wave of anger over racism and injustice into an effective movement for change ” .

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Mass protests in the UK over the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in the US are “unlawful” due to the current coronavirus restrictions, a senior Metropolitan Police officer has warned.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme people should not be meeting in groups of six for health reasons.
He said: “The health protection regulations are really clear that it is unlawful.
“The government said that for health reasons people should not be meeting in groups of six, so we would strongly encourage people not to come out and gather in these large numbers because they are putting themselves and others at risk.
“And if they do come out, then we would ask them to observe that social distancing, think about those around them.”
(Image: PA)
Crowds have gathered in London and Birmingham this week to protest over the death of Mr Floyd, 46, after a white officer held him down by kneeling on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25 as he struggled to breathe.
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A demonstration is planned in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens tomorrow afternoon. Mr Floyd's death led to days of protest in the US and Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations across the world.
Protesters in Birmingham last night “made their voices clearly heard”, police said, but there were no arrests and no disorder.
Crowds gathered in the city’s Centenary Square, where a silence was observed in memory of Mr Floyd.
(Image: PA)
Demonstrators, many wearing protective face masks, had been due to congregate in nearby Victoria Square but moved to the larger area to aid social distancing.
Several hundred people then headed to an area outside West Midlands Police’s Lloyd House HQ, where many of them knelt or sat in the road with their fists raised.
The protest came after pockets of protesters clashed with police as thousands of people flooded into central London and abandoned social distancing for a BLM demonstration on Wednesday.
After a largely peaceful demonstration in Hyde Park, during which Star Wars actor John Boyega gave an impassioned speech, tensions later escalated outside Downing Street.
The Metropolitan Police said 13 people were arrested.
(Image: PA)
Michael Lockwood, director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees complaints made against forces in England and Wales, has urged officers to listen to ethnic minority communities.
Writing in The Independent, he said: “Right now, communities in the UK are expressing real and growing concerns about disproportionality.
“Only two weeks ago we highlighted increasing community concerns about the use of Taser.
(Image: Getty Images)
“We are also hearing concerns about stop and search and, most recently, fines issued during lockdown being disproportionate to black people.
“There must be more research to understand issues of disproportionality, as well as assurance and scrutiny around tactics like use of force and stop and search.”
Demonstrations across the US have included clashes between police and protesters, with officers recorded firing tear gas and rubber bullets on crowds.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled and sickened” to see what happened to Mr Floyd, while chief constables from across the UK issued a joint statement saying they “stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified”.
An online-only rally is due to take place this Sunday, campaign group Stand Up to Racism said, with speakers to discuss “how we turn the new wave of anger over racism and injustice into an effective movement for change”.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Dozy drug dealer caught after being found 'asleep' at the wheel

A dozy drug dealer was caught after being found apparently asleep at the wheel of his car at traffic lights , a court heard .
Members of the public alerted police after seeing a black Audi stopped at traffic lights , in the middle of the road on Bridge Street in Milnrow , Rochdale .
Rhys Wild , 26 , had his head on the wheel of the car , which had its lights on and the key in the ignition .
It looked as if he was asleep or unconscious , Minshull Street Crown Court heard .
Prosecuting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his feet ' and appeared 'confused ' after officers arrived following the incident , in March 2018 .
He did n't smell of alcohol , so police believed he was under the influence of something else , she said .
Wild told police he had taken codeine for a cough .
When police searched his car they found cannabis , said to be worth between £180 and £360 , and cocaine thought to be worth £925 .
Two mobile phones were also found , with text messages discovered which related to the dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Wild has since 'turned his life around ' , living with his partner and their child .
He said that at the time of the incident , Wild had been diagnosed with a medical condition and was 'struggling to cope mentally ' .
The court was told that Wild began to take cocaine and sold cannabis to fund his habit .
Mr Gaskell said that Wild had taken a 'significant amount of codeine ' prior to the incident , but that he is now abstinent from drugs .
Wild , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty to possessing cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis .
Sentencing , Judge Angela Nield said Wild had committed the offences at a time when his life had been 'turned upside down by various events ' .
`` You present today for sentence in a very different situation , '' the judge said .
The judge said any offence involving drug dealing is serious because of the 'untold harm that drugs can do to any number of innocent people ' .
But Judge Neild said it would be 'counter productive ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ill-health is being managed and that there was a prospect of rehabilitation .
He was sentenced to eight months in prison , suspended for 18 months , and ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days .

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A dozy drug dealer was caught after being found apparently asleep at the wheel of his car at traffic lights, a court heard.
Members of the public alerted police after seeing a black Audi stopped at traffic lights, in the middle of the road on Bridge Street in Milnrow, Rochdale.
Rhys Wild, 26, had his head on the wheel of the car, which had its lights on and the key in the ignition.
It looked as if he was asleep or unconscious, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
Prosecuting, Ellen Shaw said Wild was 'unsteady on his feet' and appeared 'confused' after officers arrived following the incident, in March 2018.
He didn't smell of alcohol, so police believed he was under the influence of something else, she said. Wild told police he had taken codeine for a cough.
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When police searched his car they found cannabis, said to be worth between £180 and £360, and cocaine thought to be worth £925.
Two mobile phones were also found, with text messages discovered which related to the dealing of cannabis.
Defending, Dan Gaskell said that Wild has since 'turned his life around', living with his partner and their child.
He said that at the time of the incident, Wild had been diagnosed with a medical condition and was 'struggling to cope mentally'.
The court was told that Wild began to take cocaine and sold cannabis to fund his habit.
Mr Gaskell said that Wild had taken a 'significant amount of codeine' prior to the incident, but that he is now abstinent from drugs.
Wild, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis.
Sentencing, Judge Angela Nield said Wild had committed the offences at a time when his life had been 'turned upside down by various events'.
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"You present today for sentence in a very different situation," the judge said.
The judge said any offence involving drug dealing is serious because of the 'untold harm that drugs can do to any number of innocent people'.
But Judge Neild said it would be 'counter productive' to send Wild to jail, given his ill-health is being managed and that there was a prospect of rehabilitation.
He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Man City miss on out WSL title but could still win trophy this season

Manchester City have missed out on the Women 's Super League title after Chelsea were confirmed as champions with the Blues in second place .
City , led by Alan Mahon since Nick Cushing departed for New York City FC in February , were on top of the table when the season was suspended .
However , their one-point lead was courtesy of having played an extra game than Chelsea .
That meant that when the decision was taken to abandon the season the FA have decided that a point-per-game metric was the fairest way of deciding the final standings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held off the threat of Arsenal to finish in second place , meaning they qualify for next season 's Champions League .
The news will be bittersweet for the Blues , whose final game in the competition ended up being a 3-3 draw with Chelsea that ultimately decided which team ended up being crowned champions .
They could yet add to their silverware this season , however , with talks continuing to see whether the FA Cup can be played to a finish ; City were due to meet Leicester at the quarter-final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final stages of agreeing the start dates for the 2020/21 season .
Gareth Taylor was announced last week as the new permanent head coach of City Women , with Mahon returning to being an assistant .
Taylor has spent the last three years overseeing the Under-18s in the academy , where youngsters Tommy Doyle and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have impressed Pep Guardiola enough to push through into the first-team set-up .

Manchester City have missed out on the Women's Super League title after Chelsea were confirmed as champions with the Blues in second place.
City, led by Alan Mahon since Nick Cushing departed for New York City FC in February, were on top of the table when the season was suspended. However, their one-point lead was courtesy of having played an extra game than Chelsea.
That meant that when the decision was taken to abandon the season the FA have decided that a point-per-game metric was the fairest way of deciding the final standings. On that basis, City have held off the threat of Arsenal to finish in second place, meaning they qualify for next season's Champions League.
The news will be bittersweet for the Blues, whose final game in the competition ended up being a 3-3 draw with Chelsea that ultimately decided which team ended up being crowned champions.
They could yet add to their silverware this season, however, with talks continuing to see whether the FA Cup can be played to a finish; City were due to meet Leicester at the quarter-final stage. The league are also in the final stages of agreeing the start dates for the 2020/21 season.
Gareth Taylor was announced last week as the new permanent head coach of City Women, with Mahon returning to being an assistant. Taylor has spent the last three years overseeing the Under-18s in the academy, where youngsters Tommy Doyle and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have impressed Pep Guardiola enough to push through into the first-team set-up.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Why Man United aren't rivalling Chelsea for Timo Werner transfer

Manchester United did n't consider rivalling Chelsea for the signature of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner , despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being a fan of the Germany international .
Werner is set to complete a surprise move to the Blues next week , with Chelsea ready to activate his release clause of around £54million .
The 24-year-old had long been expected to move to Liverpool this summer , with Werner speaking of his admiration for the club and Jurgen Klopp a big fan of his countryman .
However , when Liverpool 's interest looked to cool recently it left the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been compiling a shortlist of potential forwards as they search for long-term competition in attack and Solskjaer was a fan of Werner , who has plundered 25 goals in 29 games in the Bundesliga this season .
But the MEN understands that United 's interest in the RB Leipzig hotshot never really developed into a serious possibility of a summer transfer and the club had no plans to rival Chelsea for his signature .
Werner 's contract at Stamford Bridge is yet to be finalised but it 's understood Chelsea have told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their side under Frank Lampard .
United 's need for a forward has eased with the extension agreed to Odion Ighalo 's loan last weekend , with the 30-year-old now set to stay at Old Trafford until the end of January 2021 .
They are also looking for competition in attacking places , with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both regular starters and continuing to improve , while there are high hopes for Mason Greenwood .
While Ighalo 's departure midway through the 2020/21 season will leave United potentially short of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign one this summer - the extension has at least bought them some time as they continue to monitor potential targets , as well as being a boost for the remainder of this season , with Rashford also back in training and in contention to feature when the Premier League restarts .
Ighalo 's extension also allows Greenwood further time to develop as potential competition for Martial .
The teenager will turn 19 in October but he 's already struck 12 goals this season and looks set for a long career at Old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this summer 's transfer window are yet to be confirmed and while United plan to be active , the coronavirus pandemic has altered the financial landscape of clubs and the effects that will have on the market are yet to be seen .
Ighalo 's extended loan will allow United to focus on other targets for now , with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho , Birmingham City 's 16-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham and Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish all high up on Solskjaer 's shopping list

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Manchester United didn't consider rivalling Chelsea for the signature of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being a fan of the Germany international.
Werner is set to complete a surprise move to the Blues next week, with Chelsea ready to activate his release clause of around £54million.
The 24-year-old had long been expected to move to Liverpool this summer, with Werner speaking of his admiration for the club and Jurgen Klopp a big fan of his countryman.
However, when Liverpool's interest looked to cool recently it left the door open to other suitors. United have been compiling a shortlist of potential forwards as they search for long-term competition in attack and Solskjaer was a fan of Werner, who has plundered 25 goals in 29 games in the Bundesliga this season.
But the MEN understands that United's interest in the RB Leipzig hotshot never really developed into a serious possibility of a summer transfer and the club had no plans to rival Chelsea for his signature.
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Werner's contract at Stamford Bridge is yet to be finalised but it's understood Chelsea have told him he will be a key figurehead in their side under Frank Lampard.
United's need for a forward has eased with the extension agreed to Odion Ighalo's loan last weekend, with the 30-year-old now set to stay at Old Trafford until the end of January 2021.
They are also looking for competition in attacking places, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both regular starters and continuing to improve, while there are high hopes for Mason Greenwood.
While Ighalo's departure midway through the 2020/21 season will leave United potentially short of a striker again - if they don't sign one this summer - the extension has at least bought them some time as they continue to monitor potential targets, as well as being a boost for the remainder of this season, with Rashford also back in training and in contention to feature when the Premier League restarts.
Ighalo's extension also allows Greenwood further time to develop as potential competition for Martial. The teenager will turn 19 in October but he's already struck 12 goals this season and looks set for a long career at Old Trafford.
The dates and length of this summer's transfer window are yet to be confirmed and while United plan to be active, the coronavirus pandemic has altered the financial landscape of clubs and the effects that will have on the market are yet to be seen.
Ighalo's extended loan will allow United to focus on other targets for now, with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, Birmingham City's 16-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham and Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish all high up on Solskjaer's shopping list


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Man United morning headlines as excitement grows over Sancho

Manchester United fans believe the club 's chances of signing Jadon Sancho have been boosted by Timo Werner 's impending move to Chelsea .
Chelsea have emerged as frontrunners to sign RB Leipzig forward Werner and are are also preparing to welcome Ajax 's Hakim Ziyech .
And their fans are very happy about the prospect - with one fan on social media describing it as a `` matter of time '' before Sancho arrives at Old Trafford .
Diogo Dalot has fired a warning shot to Aaron Wan-Bissaka - declaring that he wants to claim the right-back slot as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice in that position after his £45 million move from Crystal Palace last summer , while Dalot has struggled with injuries , meaning he has started just one Premier League match over the course of the campaign .
Now , however , the Portuguese hopes to make his mark when football returns in a fortnight .
“ Right-back is my position , it ’ s where I feel more comfortable , '' he told United 's official website .
`` It ’ s where I want to be and where I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m enjoying playing there and I want to be the best player that I can in that position.
” Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has apologised to fans after teasing an announcement of a 'new club ' .
The Spain international posted a cryptic message stating he will announce a new club soon over the weekend .
Manchester United scouted Saul in 2014 .
On Wednesday Saul revealed he was n't leaving the Madrid outfit and his announcement instead centred around the unveiling of a football academy in his hometown of Elche , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Malaga .
Now , speaking about his teasing post , Saul has stated that he did n't realise the impact that his social media antics had on supporters .
`` I am a little alien to social media but my manager was aware and told me that some were misunderstanding it , '' he told Spanish newspaper AS .
`` It never occurred to me , in the middle of two competitions , La Liga and the Champions League , that people might think that I was going to leave . ''

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United fans have Werner theory about Sancho
Manchester United fans believe the club's chances of signing Jadon Sancho have been boosted by Timo Werner's impending move to Chelsea.
Chelsea have emerged as frontrunners to sign RB Leipzig forward Werner and are are also preparing to welcome Ajax's Hakim Ziyech.
And their fans are very happy about the prospect - with one fan on social media describing it as a "matter of time" before Sancho arrives at Old Trafford.
Dalot announces intentions
Diogo Dalot has fired a warning shot to Aaron Wan-Bissaka - declaring that he wants to claim the right-back slot as his own.
Wan-Bissaka has become first choice in that position after his £45 million move from Crystal Palace last summer, while Dalot has struggled with injuries, meaning he has started just one Premier League match over the course of the campaign.
Now, however, the Portuguese hopes to make his mark when football returns in a fortnight.
“Right-back is my position, it’s where I feel more comfortable," he told United's official website. "It’s where I want to be and where I want to build my career.
"I’m enjoying playing there and I want to be the best player that I can in that position.”
Sign up to our free MUFC email newsletter Get the latest breaking Manchester United transfer news and analysis every day direct to your inbox with our free MUFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
Saul's apology
Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has apologised to fans after teasing an announcement of a 'new club'.
The Spain international posted a cryptic message stating he will announce a new club soon over the weekend. Manchester United scouted Saul in 2014.
On Wednesday Saul revealed he wasn't leaving the Madrid outfit and his announcement instead centred around the unveiling of a football academy in his hometown of Elche, alongside his brother Aaron, who plays for Malaga.
Now, speaking about his teasing post, Saul has stated that he didn't realise the impact that his social media antics had on supporters.
"I am a little alien to social media but my manager was aware and told me that some were misunderstanding it," he told Spanish newspaper AS.
"It never occurred to me, in the middle of two competitions, La Liga and the Champions League, that people might think that I was going to leave."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-05--Tip rules set to change in Greater Manchester this weekend

Rules on who can visit tips in Greater Manchester are set to change this weekend .
From Saturday , there will no longer be an odd and even number plate system in place to dictate when people can drop off their waste .
Throughout the lockdown , bosses had asked drivers to only use recycling centres on specific days related to the final number on their vehicle 's licence plate .
But that rule has now been changed to mean anyone can go to the tip whenever it is open .
Most items are now being accepted at centres around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some restrictions still in place , including a ban on vehicles over two metres high and on dropping off trade waste .
Plus , visitors have been warned that they could face long queues or be asked to leave if there are too many people already waiting .
The following items are currently being accepted at tips : But these items can not be deposited : Social distancing measures remain in place at all tips and anyone showing symptoms of the coronavirus has been asked not to visit .
Drivers should also bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in the vehicle , only one person is allowed to leave their car at a time .
For more information on the rules and opening times for the recycling centre nearest to you , click here .

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Rules on who can visit tips in Greater Manchester are set to change this weekend.
From Saturday, there will no longer be an odd and even number plate system in place to dictate when people can drop off their waste.
Throughout the lockdown, bosses had asked drivers to only use recycling centres on specific days related to the final number on their vehicle's licence plate.
But that rule has now been changed to mean anyone can go to the tip whenever it is open.
Most items are now being accepted at centres around the region.
However, there are some restrictions still in place, including a ban on vehicles over two metres high and on dropping off trade waste.
Plus, visitors have been warned that they could face long queues or be asked to leave if there are too many people already waiting.
The following items are currently being accepted at tips:
Cardboard
Garden waste (no soil)
General waste including small bulky items
Hardcore and rubble
Scrap metal
Wood and timber
But these items cannot be deposited:
Electricals (including small appliances)
Mattresses
Large bulky items of furniture
White goods
Social distancing measures remain in place at all tips and anyone showing symptoms of the coronavirus has been asked not to visit.
Drivers should also bring proof of address and any passengers must remain in the vehicle, only one person is allowed to leave their car at a time.
For more information on the rules and opening times for the recycling centre nearest to you, click here.