Game, the once‑dominant high street video‑games chain which had over 300 UK stores, continues to disappear from city and town centres across the UK.

An administration report shows the business owed roughly £3.5m to its secured creditor and about £12m to unsecured creditors, many of whom are not expected to recover what they are owed.

The retailer, now owned by Frasers Group, has been through insolvency once before in 2012 but had rebuilt around a mix of smaller shop units and in‑store concessions inside Sports Direct and House of Fraser.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Those concessions now represent Game’s only physical footprint, with Game York now only surviving in Coney Street and at Monks Cross, as part of Sports Direct.

Until September 2022, there was also a Game in Church Street, which later became a branch of Utopia Womenswear.

Game previously had a store in Cheltenham Parade, but this closed in 2012 following the company’s administration. However, Game also continues to operate a concession within Sports Direct, in the Victoria Shopping Centre.

In Scarborough, Game previously had a branch in Westborough, but this also closed following the 2012 administration.

National coverage has since confirmed that Game’s remaining high street outlets in other parts of the country will shut during 2026.

This ends more than three decades as a standalone presence and leaves the brand trading online and through concessions only, essentially the Sports Direct in York, Monks Cross, and Harrogate.

Melanie C gave a behind the scenes glimpse of her magical wedding to Australian model Chris Dingwall in a video shared by Vogue on Tuesday.

It showed the custom Adidas satin robe and sliders Sporty Spice wore while getting ready for her wedding, which had the date of her big day emblazoned on them.

The video also captured the emotional wedding speech Melanie gave when exchanging vows with Chris and later, how she and her fellow Spice Girls tore up the dancefloor at the reception with Melanie wearing another Adidas two-piece outfit. 

Melanie, 52, and Chris tied the knot in a ‘perfect’ Lake District wedding in the grounds of The Country House Cumbria on Saturday. 

The singer shared a number of clips of her incredible slip dress, which was designed her Spice Girls co-star Victoria Beckham – who was the only group member to miss the nuptials, with Mel B, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton in tow. 

Vogue’s caption read: ‘Melanie didn’t grow up fantasising about her wedding day. Then, along came Chris Dingwall. “I’ve had this awakening in my 50s – I’m very comfortable in my skin,” she says… 

She was given a glowing look as her make-up was prepped by the experts and she posed in her custom Adidas silk robe

Melanie reunited with Spice Girls Geri Haliwell, Mel B and Emma Bunton on the dancefloor at the reception – Victoria Beckham was in America for the World Cup but designed Melanie’s wedding dress 

‘When her now husband proposed, [she said] “I knew immediately it was the right thing to do. When you’re my age you’re like… I actually want to experience all the things.”.’

Melanie showcased her extensive 90s inkings once she had slipped into her dress before being escorted down the aisle and holding the microphone to give her speech. 

After the elegant festivities, she returned to Spice Girls mode as she sported her silk palazzo pants, a cropped Adidas bomber jacket and an ab-flashing crop top. 

She wore ‘bride’ socks and Adidas superstar trainers which had the date of the wedding printed on them.  

The dancefloor worthy look was completed with custom trainers adorned with the wedding date. 

Her glamorous guests complemented the bridal look perfectly, with Mel B opting for a shimmering champagne bodycon dress, Geri wearing a romantic floral gown, albeit in white, while Emma chose a statement pink checked Vivienne Westwood trouser suit.

The video showcased the journey to the dancefloor, with Melanie flashing her amazing abs in the crop top before hitting the DJ decks. 

The video also captured the emotional wedding speech Melanie gave when exchanging vows with Chris as she could be seen reading off a card

A striking portrait saw the Melanie and Chris straight after the ceremony,which was held at The Country House Cumbria on Saturday

Melanie looked jaw-dropping in the video, which showcased her day from start to finish and showed off the incredible Victoria Beckham wedding dress her friend designed for her 

Advertisement

The Spice Girls shared a giggle as they posed in the grounds with Geri raising eyebrows by also wearing bridal white 

Melanie giggled as she was pinned into her evening look, an Adidas cropped bomber  and wide-leg trousers which was made especially for her 

Before she hit the dancefloor she slipped into a pair of Adidas Superstar trainers adorned with the wedding date – and a pair of ‘bride’ socks 

She also had a pair of sliders adorned with the sports brand Adidas logo and the wedding date inkeeping with her ‘Sporty’ persona in the iconic band

Advertisement

In a host of photos released by Vogue, Melanie was seen getting her dress fitted, and walking hand in hand with her new husband Chris.

Melanie told Vogue: ‘The spark was immediate,’ she said. ‘I was 49 when I met Chris and I was in a really good place. We had a date in Australia, and it’s been difficult to separate us ever since.

‘He’s been such a beautiful addition to mine and my daughter’s life. Because, you know, I’m a single mum. My daughter is 17, and we’re pretty resilient the two of us, we’re a team. For anybody coming into our world… it was going to be tough, and he just fits perfectly. It’s a beautiful dynamic.’

Melanie met Chris, thought to be in his 40s, in 2023 on the exclusive dating app, Raya.

She admitted she originally thought she was finished with romance following her split from previous long-term partners, including Thomas Starr.

But during a night out at the pub, her friends convinced her to download the app, turning the search for a partner into a game they jokingly dubbed ‘boy Bingo’.

She was seen giving herself a look in the mirror in her stunning white silk bridal gown, which was designed by her friend and bandmate Victoria Beckham

Every shot was fairytale worthy, with the stunner gazing into the camera 

Advertisement

The couple first had a legal ceremony in Australia and one particularly sentimental detail was also unveiled, with Melanie incorporating a special Australian touch into her sleek ivory gown, which featured a dramatic open back and minimalist silhouette.

The Spice Girl had the words ‘Sydney’ and ‘7.6.2026’ embroidered in blue into the inside of her custom-made Victoria Beckham wedding gown as her ‘something blue’, commemorating the date and place where she and Dingwall officially became husband and wife.

Melanie also revealed her ‘something borrowed’ for the Sydney ceremony, came from the wardrobe of none other than her friend and fellow Spice Girl, fashion designer Victoria.

Speaking in the Vogue feature, Victoria said: ‘I was actually having dinner with Melanie and asked her what she was up to.

‘She very casually told me she was leaving for Australia in two days and getting married! When I asked what she was wearing, she mentioned she had actually ordered one of my dresses but that it didn’t quite fit, and she didn’t have time to get it altered before leaving.

‘I happened to have that exact dress in my own wardrobe and offered to lend it to her.’

A canine behaviourist has shared the science behind dogs tilting their heads, branding it “fascinating” while also explaining its close link to the bonds between a dog and their owner

Many dog owners will have spotted their pet tilting their heads when speaking to them and, while it’s commonly regarded as a cute and endearing habit, there’s a “fascinating” reason behind it. A professional dog trainer has shared how it could even offer insight into the depth of a bond between owners and their dogs.

There’s lots of popular choices when it comes to pets, from cats, rabbits and guinea pigs to ferrets, snakes and even birds. But dogs are arguable one of the most beloved options, with millions of proud owners across the globe choosing them as the perfect addition to the family.

With a huge variety of breeds and sizes available, dogs are universally celebrated for their loyalty, affection and unwavering companionship.

Many owners are eager to better understand their furry companions, delving into the reasons behind certain quirks and behaviours. Social media has become a go-to resource for guidance and advice, with fellow owners, vets and industry experts all sharing their knowledge online.

Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has built up a devoted following across social media, regularly posting videos that draw on his extensive experience and expertise working with dogs.

In a clip posted to TikTok, Will detailed the reason behind the common behaviour of head tilting.

Will began: “The reason your dog tilts their head when you talk to them is way more fascinating than most people realise.”

He then gestured towards his much-loved dog Sully, as the footage cut to scenes of Will alongside his dogs.

The trainer went on: “Take young Sully here. He does it constantly, and every single time someone sees it, they go absolutely mad for it.

“‘Oh, isn’t that adorable? Isn’t he clever?’ And yes, he is adorable, but there is real science behind what is happening in that moment – and understanding it will actually make you a better dog owner.”

Will then went on to explain what a dog might be attempting to communicate when they tilt their head.

He said: “When your dog hears your voice, they are doing two things simultaneously.

“They are trying to locate the precise source of the sound, and they are trying to read your facial expressions and lip movements to gather as much information about what it is you’re trying to communicate.

“The tilt physically adjusts the position of their ears to improve directional hearing, and it also moves the muzzle out of their line of sight so they can see your face more clearly.”

What else does it mean when a dog tilts their head?

Will went on: “Now, here is the part that really matters. Dogs that have a stronger bond with their owner tilt their heads more frequently.

“It’s not a random quirk. It is a sign that your dog is genuinely engaged with you and that they are trying to understand you, and that they see you as a source of meaningful information.”

Will added: “Sully’s got a beautiful soul, and that head tilt of his tells me everything that I need to know about where we are in our relationship.

“So the next time your dog does it, do not just melt and move on – recognise it for what it is: your dog working hard to connect with you.

“Lean into that, work with it more, engage with them more and build that relationship through it more. It is the foundation of everything.”

Why is modern life so overwhelming?

If we can’t change our biology, how can we handle an “evolutionary mismatch”?

Searches continue for the 25-year-old

Police have released a new CCTV image of a man who has been missing for more than two weeks. Lewis Winter, 25, was reported missing on Thursday, July 16 from Eye, near Peterborough.

However, he has not been seen in over two weeks. Cambridgeshire Police has released a new CCTV image of Lewis, as officers continue their search for the 25-year-old. The CCTV image was captured at around 7pm on July 5.

It’s believed to be of Lewis leaving the Tasman Caravan Park in Eye, where he lived. Officers believe someone may have seen him out walking shortly afterwards.

A police spokesperson said: “Motorists in the area may also have filmed him on dashcam and we’re encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

Advertisement

“Searches are continuing, particularly in the area around Eye. Lewis is described as 6’4, slim, with short dark hair and beard.”

Anyone who has seen Lewis or knows of his whereabouts should call 101 and quote incident 254 of July 16.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

Andrii Sybiha, Kyiv’s acting minister of foreign affairs, wrote on social media that he congratulated Mr Miliband on his new role “and thanked the United Kingdom for its steadfast support for Ukraine since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, including military, energy, humanitarian, economic and sanctions assistance”.

A woman said she was harassed on the flight and claimed two people were having sex in the toilet ‘to cheers’ from other passengers

Advertisement

A Ryanair flight bound for Ibiza transcended into a nightmare, according to one passenger, who said there were two groups who became ‘inebriated’ and disruptive, with some even allegedly having sex in the toilet.

A woman who has travelled to the Spanish holiday hotspot for 45 years said she has been on some rowdy flights before – but none like this one.

She recalled the horrifying journey all started before the plane had even taken off, as she noted two groups of people “making a lot of noise” and who “appeared to be inebriated” at the departure gates at Dublin Airport last week.

As she boarded the plane, she said she raised her concerns, but felt they were not taken seriously by staff, reports Dublin Live. By the time the plane was in the air, things took a dramatic turn involving two groups of people.

“It really started at the departure gate,” she told the outlet. “We arrived at the departure gate, and there were two groups of people that I was concerned about.

“They were making an awful lot of noise. They appeared to be inebriated and, given what Michael O’Leary had stated about not tolerating inebriated passengers on their flights, as I was about to board the plane, I brought the attention of a female member of the ground crew.

“She didn’t feel happy that I was concerned about this.” A further complication at the gate almost prevented her husband from boarding the plane.

But, once on board, the situation deteriorated rapidly. She described two distinct groups causing chaos on the flight: one group of young men, and another slightly older, mixed-gender group.

The younger group, she said, “were all, I would say, 22 to 24, they were all male”. She said the stewards on board the flight continued to serve people in both groups alcohol, despite warning them about their behaviour.

Other passengers were getting visibly distressed, according to the passenger. “The younger group was warned by the steward about the consequences of misbehaviour, but they continued to play music and drink,” she told Newstalk on Monday.

“There was a young girl who was shaking from head to toe, and there was another lady who was just very agitated because the noise was just overwhelming.”

A shirtless man and a young woman allegedly went into a bathroom together, and remained inside for about ten minutes.

Upon their exit to cheers from the two groups, a male flight steward inspected the room – and then returned with supplies to clean up what had been left behind. She told host Andrea Gilligan: “There was a young girl saying that she could organise hookups with people on the flight, if they wanted.

“And at one point, a shirtless young guy, just in a pair of shorts, and a girl went into the toilet, and they came out about 10 minutes later. The steward opened the toilet door after they exited it.

“And whatever he saw, he then went and got a large bag of wet wipes.” The woman then said a young man in a seat in front of her, who was verbally propositioning passengers, pointed at her and shouted: ‘I want her’.

She said: “He got up out of his seat and he pointed at me and he said, ‘I want her’. At which point, my new friend Paul [a man sitting beside her on the flight] intervened.

“And I said to him: ‘You need to be very, very careful, that man on the other side of the aisle is my husband’. My husband had both earplugs and headphones on, and his eyes closed.

“I said to him: ‘You need to remove yourself from this, because my husband is getting very worked up by the noise and shouting and people jumping over seats and all the rest of it’. And it was only at that point that the young man realised that I wasn’t a middle-aged woman on my own.

“Thank God my husband didn’t hear it, because it could have been an unpleasant situation if my husband had heard, basically, a young man on a Ryanair flight sexually harassing me.”

On arrival at Ibiza Airport, the aircraft was met by emergency services. Paramedics boarded the plane and removed at least one passenger who appeared unwell, while members of the problematic groups were interviewed by police.

She said: “When the flight landed, the steward said: ‘Everyone, stay in your seats. The paramedics and the police are coming to the flight’.

“The young guy who had been shirtless, who was in the toilet with the girl, he was carried off the flight by paramedics. Two people from the group further down the flight were asked to go with the police.” And in the aftermath, an elderly woman’s bag was misplaced – which then lead to further distress on their hot bus transfer.

The woman continued: “There was an elderly woman whose bag was misplaced. Now, it turned out that the stewards had put it in with their bags, or at least that’s what was said to us on the bus.

“People were asked by any chance had they taken her bag. One of the people who had been interviewed by the police decided that it was being implied he’d stolen her bag, but when her bag was found and he had boarded the bus, we were all already on the bus again.

“It was stinking hot, you know. You’re talking 30, 33 degrees, and people are tired and stressed and upset. And a man starts hurling abuse at this elderly woman that she was accusing of stealing his bag, which she wasn’t.

“She just wanted to get her bag back. At which point, a very big Spanish police officer boarded the bus, prodded him in the chest, and shouted at him: ‘No trouble in Spain’.

“At that point, he got off the bus. The door was closed, and finally, we got to the terminal, and we got out of there as quickly as we could.”

She said her husband was “furious” when she told him she’d been “propositioned by somebody who was certainly young enough to be my son.”

A statement from Ryanair to Newstalk said that two passengers on the flight were refused bar service on board, but continued to drink their own pre-bought alcohol, despite warnings from the crew. They said: “Crew on this flight from Dublin to Ibiza called ahead for police assistance after two passengers became disruptive inflight.

“Due to their misbehaviour, crew refrained from serving these passengers alcohol from the bar, however, despite several warnings from crew, they continued to drink their own alcohol purchased pre-flight. Police met the aircraft upon landing at Ibiza Airport and these two disruptive passengers were removed.

“Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a respectful and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption.”

By CHRISTINE RENDÓN, US SENIOR REPORTER

Published: 15:37 BST, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 16:50 BST, 21 July 2026

Kaylee Hottle, who starred in two Godzilla films, has died age 18. 

The actress was killed in a car crash Tuesday morning in Maryland, her father Joshua Hottle revealed to TMZ. 

Kaylee, who was deaf, played a young girl who could communicate with Godzilla using sign language in the 2021 film Godzilla vs Kong and its 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Before this, she did commercials for products used by the deaf and hard of hearing community. 

Advertisement

Kaylee’s father broke the news with followers in a livestream titled ‘I am taking a flight that I never would like to take,’ in which he described in American Sign Language having to travel from Texas to claim his daughter’s body, according to TMZ.

Joshua said he received a phone call from officials telling him his daughter’s heart had stopped on the way to the hospital not long after he learned about the accident. 

Kaylee Hottle, the actress who played ‘Jia’ in Godzilla vs Kong, has died at age 18 following a car crash

Advertisement

She starred in the 2021 film Godzilla vs Kong and it’s sequel, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.

Kaylee played Jia in the two Godzilla films and had the script translated into ASL with the help of her parents and another individual. 

‘I was fine with memorizing the script and signing my lines, but the tough part was signing out the “spoken” parts because we had to change it, and sometimes they’d tell us it was wrong but they didn’t understand that ASL changes almost everything,’ she said during a 2021 interview with The Daily Moth. 

‘Because the interpreter said what I said. The producer and director would sometimes say “Don’t say that” and want me to follow the script, but the signs for that sentence would be different in ASL.

Advertisement

‘There was one instance where there was a misunderstanding between us related to the ASL translation, which caused a delay, but they later understood.’

Kaylee also taught her castmates how to sign: ‘Teaching the cast how to sign. They had never interacted with a deaf person before. I had to explain how to sign and use facial expressions. That was the hard part, but when they picked up on it, it was fine. I didn’t really have challenges, they were very accommodating. Some of the workers learned how to sign.’

Kaylee’s character was able to communicate with Kong using sign language, a connection she described as ‘special.’ 

‘Because Kong and my character had a special bond. We signed with each other. Not with Godzilla, it was different. Then later we met,’ she said. 

Advertisement

Kaylee’s character Jia communicated with Kong using sign language 

Rebecca Hall played Jia’s adopted mother, Dr. Ilene Andrews 

The film also starred Alexander Skarsgård, who previously said Kaylee ‘steals the movie’. 

He even learned American Sign Language for his co-star. 

Advertisement

‘It’s her first movie,’ he told Junkee in 2021.  ‘It’s fascinating how comfortable she is in front of the camera and how quickly she takes notes from the director Adam [Wingard]. 

‘He’ll explain something and she’ll be like ‘got it, got it’ then she’ll just do it and everyone’s like ‘the f— … how did she?’ She’s so professional and just incredibly … there’s so much going on on her face, her expression and the subtleties of that is fascinating to watch.’

In addition to her role in the Godzilla films, she appeared on an episode of Magnum P.I. and did commercials for products which helped deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

She did a public service announcement for the video chat messenger Glide and a commercial for Convo Relay. 

Advertisement

Kaylee was also featured in 10 Deaf Children: One Powerful Message. 

The Beatles fans got far more than they bargained for after paying for a themed tour around Liverpool on Tuesday – spotting two of the iconic band’s members.

The Magical Mystery Tour – named after one of the Beatles’ best loved albums – visits sites associated with band members Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, including where they grew up, met, and formed the band.

But the fans on this particular tour were treated to far more than a trip down memory lane, after pulling up beside Paul while stopped at a red traffic light.

Incredibly, Paul, 84, was FaceTiming his bandmate Ringo, showing the fans his phone while waving to them from an open window in the car.

Paul looked just as delighted to spot a bus load of his fans, waving and smiling as he passed them and flashed a peace sign.

Neil Morton, who has driven the bus for two years, told the BBC: ‘It was surreal. I had pulled up at the traffic lights on Hope Street when who should I see – Sir Paul with Ringo on Facetime. He waved to us and everybody took photos.

‘The passengers could not believe it.’

The Magical Mystery Tour – named after one of the Beatles’ best loved albums – visits sites associated with band members Paul McCartney , John Lennon , George Harrison and Ringo Starr , including where they grew up, met, and formed the band

Paul was in Liverpool to present actor Stephen Graham with an award from the performing arts school he founded, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) was co-founded by Paul, who presented a companionship honour to fellow Liverpudlian Stephen. 

Beatles legend Ringo was last seen in person with his wife Barbara Bach as he celebrated his 86th birthday with his Peace and Love celebration.

The music star beamed as he posed for snaps at the event with his wife of 45 years, after he turned 86 earlier this month.

Barbara, 79, a former Bond Girl who starred in The Spy Who Loved Me, opted for a stylish cream blazer over an all-black look as she and Ringo posed for snaps together.

The couple married in 1981 after meeting on the set of Caveman the year before, and divide their time between homes in London, Los Angeles and Monte Carlo.

Barbara had already found fame as KGB agent Anya Amasova – not too subtly referred to as Agent Triple X – in the tenth James Bond movie which centered on a plan by a megalomaniac to destroy the world and create a new one under the sea.

Before that she was one of the most sought-after faces in the modeling scene, posing for fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle.

Paul looked just as delighted to spot a bus load of his fans, waving and smiling as he passed them and flashed a peace sign

Beatles legend Ringo was last seen in person with his wife Barbara Bach as he celebrated his 86th birthday with his Peace and Love celebration 

Advertisement

While The Beatles haven’t performed together for half a century, the band is set to take centre stage in a series of biopics in 2028, directed by Sam Mendes (left to right) Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harriso

One of her most iconic shoots was in a Playboy spread in 1981, a year after she caught the eye of one of rock’s greatest legends.

The couple endured their share of turmoil in the early years, from a near-fatal car crash to battles with addiction, before checking into rehab together and turning their lives around – trading their rock n’ roll lifestyle for outreach work and a commitment to vegetarianism.

Though they never had children together, both came into the marriage with families of their own. 

Bach shares two children, daughter Francesca, 47, and son Gianni, 44, with her ex-husband, Italian industrialist Augusto Gregorini, whom she divorced in 1978 after a decade of marriage. 

Ringo was previously married to hairdresser Maureen Cox, and the couple had three children together, Zak, 60, Jason, 58, and Lee, 55.

He and Maureen split in 1975 after the singer faced accusations of infidelity during their marriage, and she died in 1994 after a battle with leukaemia. 

While The Beatles haven’t performed together for half a century, the band is set to take centre stage in a series of biopics in 2028, directed by Sam Mendes.

The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event will see Barry Keoghan take on the role of Ringo, with the films set to document the iconic group’s journey to stardom.

Paul and Ringo did reunite last month, when the drummer made an appearance on the singer’s new album in the song Home to Us.

Sir Paul said: ‘Ringo’s never done a duet with one of the Beatles.’

Ringo also confirmed he had made a song with Sir Paul on the Jimmy Kimmel show.

He said: ‘It started two years ago with the drums, it was like in reverse, the drums went on first. It’s amusing and very real because that is where we come from.’

It is based on where they grew up in Liverpool, which Sir Paul has described as being ‘a little rough, but home to us’.

Of the policy areas where Andy Burnham might claim a mayoral record worth nationalising, the digital and technology economy is among the strongest. It is also one that has drawn surprisingly little scrutiny.

Over the past decade, Greater Manchester has become the fastest-growing digital economy in Europe, home to a tech ecosystem valued at around US$4.2 billion and the largest artificial intelligence (AI) sector by headcount anywhere in the UK outside London and the south east.

The northern English city of Manchester has played a critical role in the development of Andy Burnham’s political and social outlook. This series considers what some have dubbed Manchesterism and what it might mean for the future of the UK.

Inward investment into the city region’s tech firms rose by more than 1,000% between 2017 and 2022, according to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The digital, cyber and AI cluster, anchored in Manchester city centre, now sits alongside advanced manufacturing, life sciences, the creative industries and low-carbon. This makes it one of the five frontier sectors around which GMCA has built its (re)industrialisation strategy.

Not just growth

What makes this “Manchesterism” rather than simply growth is the machinery bolted around it. The cluster is coupled to a £1 billion Good Growth Fund, to the Good Employment and Good Landlord charters. It’s also linked to the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, a skills route designed to give young people a direct line into the jobs these sectors create.

The planned relocation of nearly 9,000 civil servants into a new Manchester digital campus will deepen this cluster further. The idea, according to Burnham, is that the proceeds of growth should be recycled into communities rather than syphoned out of them.

He also maintains that digital connectivity and the ability to participate digitally is a basic human right driving positive economic change. Burnham sees closing the digital divide as a key driver for a new model of economic growth that is citizen-led and inclusive.

But does any of this survive the journey from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston? Parts of it travel quite well. Linking growth to place, concentrating on a region’s strengths, planning education and skills around employers, and linking public investment to employment standards are all moves that a national government serious about significant economic devolution could replicate.

The Whitehall-driven Manchester digital campus is national policy already. And it is a key example of playing to a place’s strengths.

Other parts travel badly. Clustering is stubbornly place-specific, and no prime minister can promise every region the largest AI sector outside London, because there is only one of those to allocate.

The digital growth story also omits some harder economics. Research on the places exposed to the AI sector across Greater Manchester shows that the job benefits fall very unevenly between boroughs and occupations. So a cluster that lifts the city centre can have no effect on surrounding towns, rather than enriching places equally.

AI jobs can leave a borough exposed to risks – those jobs, the investment and infrastructure built around them can disappear if the AI bubble bursts. The public sector, increasingly a significant buyer of AI products, carries a pricing and procurement risk that a mayoralty has never had to resolve at a national scale.