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.

Wet Wet Wet are taking their debut album Popped In Souled Out on the road to celebrate 40 years since its release and play York Barbican in Paragon Street on Tuesday, October 26 next year.

The tour includes more than 40 shows across the UK to mark the release of the album that introduced them to a global audience.

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Two new venues have been added – Frome Cheese and Grain, and Northampton Derngate.

The band first found fame with their 1987 debut, which featured hits including Wishing I Was Lucky, Sweet Little Mystery, Angel Eyes, and Temptation.

Wet Wet Wet are one of the most recognisable names of the 1980s UK pop scene (Image: Supplied)

The album reached number one on the UK album chart and spent more than 70 weeks in the rundown, and went multi-platinum, establishing the band as one of the key British acts of the late 1980s.

Graeme Clark, Wet Wet Wet’s founding member, said: “When we made Popped In Souled Out, I was just a young guy.

“Forty years later, those songs have taken on a life of their own, and this tour is about celebrating where it all began without forgetting what followed.

“It’ll feel like stepping back into those original shoes – only now with a lifetime of experience and with an audience who’ve been with us through every twist and turn.”

The 2027 tour will also feature long-standing guitarist Graeme Duffin and lead vocalist Kevin Simm.

Fans can expect songs from Popped In Souled Out alongside other hits from their extensive back catalogue, including With A Little Help From My Friends, Goodnight Girl, and their iconic cover of The Troggs’ Love Is All Around.

Kevin Simm said: “I’m really excited to be going back out on tour in 2027 and celebrating 40 years of Popped In Souled Out.

“It’s an absolute honour and a privilege as always to sing these iconic and timeless songs, and to perform them in so many venues across the UK to so many fans of the band is really a dream come true.”

The band will be joined by special guests across selected dates, including Roachford, Nick Heyward, Rebecca Ferguson, Heather Small, Johnny Hates Jazz, The Christians and The South.

Wet Wet Wet completed their first European headline tour in over 25 years in May 2026, immediately followed by a run of intimate acoustic shows in the UK.

They have sold more than 15 million singles and albums worldwide and hold the record for the most appearances by a Scottish act on Top of the Pops, with 56 appearances.

Tickets went on sale for the new venues on Friday, July 17, via Ticketmaster.

A total of 368 residents have signed a petition calling to save the Post Office counter service and Morrisons Daily, in Moorcroft Road, Woodthorpe, according to organisers the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrat ward councillor Stephen Fenton said he had met with Post Office representatives and there were hopeful signs that services could be maintained.

A Post Office spokesperson said they had received interest from operators but the counter was still scheduled to close next week along with the Morrisons Daily store.

A Morrisons spokesperson said the store was among those set to close in the coming months after underperforming since they were acquired from McColl’s in 2022.

It comes as the counter is currently due to shut on Saturday, August 1.

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Liberal Democrats said many residents in the area were concerned the closure could leave them cut off from vital services.

Dringhouses and Woodthorpe’s Cllr Fenton said he was grateful to those who supported the party’s petition.

He added he still hoped the Post Office counter could be saved.

The Liberal Democrat said: “I met with Post Office representatives last month and have contacted local retailers.

“There are hopeful signs that an announcement may be imminent that a new retailer has agreed to maintain Post Office services.

“That’s welcome news and I stand ready to work with the new operator.”

A Post Office spokesperson said they were looking at those who had expressed interest in a replacement branch (file photo) (Image: North Somerset Times)

A Post Office spokesperson said they had advertised the vacancy to run a replacement branch and they were currently looking closely at those who had expressed interest.

The spokesperson said: “Our retail partner has reviewed their Morrisons Daily store operations and has decided to close their store at Woodthorpe.

“Consequently, the store and Post Office is to close on Saturday August, 1.

“We fully recognise the inconvenience this will cause our customers and small businesses who rely on our banking and parcel services in particular, so we want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible.”

Morrisons’ spokesperson said they had taken the tough but necessary decision to close a number of stores over the next few months.

The spokesperson said: “The combination of the proposed closure of loss-making stores and the continued addition of attractive new franchise openings will enable us to concentrate on those stores which work best for customers, improving the quality of our convenience estate and making it stronger overall.”

Alternative Post Office services are available locally in Dringhouses, about a mile away from the Moorcroft Road site.

Post Offices also operate around two miles away in York Road, Acomb and Sim Balk Lane, Bishopthorpe.

There is also a Post Office Banking Hub in York Road.

Ann Widdecombe died after she was hit on the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Devon, prosecutors have told Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The former MP and MEP died on July 8 at her house in Haytor on Dartmoor after having sustained serious injuries.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, today, July 21, appeared in court charged with the murder of Widdecombe.

Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Widdecombe was found dead.

Ann Widdecombe’s cause of death was revealed today (July 21) (Image: Oscar Rihil/PA Wire)

Man in court over hammer murder of Ann Widdecombe

Kerry was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but he has not been charged with this offence.

Kashif Malik, prosecuting, said that on July 8, Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview at just before 1 pm, which would have been aired live on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.

The show’s production team tried to contact Widdecombe through her personal assistant, who then asked the family gardener to check on her, the court heard.

Prosecutors said he found the politician lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury the next day, July 9.

Malik said that on July 8, Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside the front of her house in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door.

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Kerry then allegedly used a hammer to hit Widdecombe on the top of her head 21 times, the court heard.

He is accused of tipping her from her chair and taking a wallet out of her handbag before leaving and driving off, having only been in the house for two minutes, the court heard.

A provisional cause of death was given as a blunt force injury to the head, the court heard.

A bearded Kerry, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and Byrley Road address.

Longtime ESPN broadcaster Karl Ravech is expected to be among the latest layoffs at the network, sources told The Athletic Tuesday.

The cuts follow ESPN’s decision Monday to part ways with NFL analyst Ryan Clark, with additional layoffs expected to hit behind-the-scenes staff. Most of the reductions are reportedly coming at NFL Network, including Tom Pelissero, one of the network’s top insiders, per The Athletic.

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The woman thought homeless Nathan George McGowan was a “good” person, funny and kind, when she allowed him to stay with her in January this year, said prosecution barrister Esther Bukoye.

But the victim soon realised he was a “Jekyll and Hyde” person, whose behaviour would change suddenly without warning and without cause. After he assaulted her, she hid anything he could use as a weapon against her and moved her beloved dog out of her house.

On January 23, he attacked her, “kicking her with so much force she fell back against a wall”, said the barrister. With blood pouring from a cut on her head, she went to accident and emergency and her dog, who was still living with her then, panicked and started having fits.

In a personal statement, the woman said: “Nobody deserves to be treated in this way, no matter how handsome you are, no matter how many crocodile tears you shed.”

She said: “You never knew which version of him you were going to see.”

On the day he was due to stand trial, McGowan, 32, of Harrogate, pleaded guilty to causing the woman actual bodily harm. Charges alleging other forms of violence were left on file, meaning they will appear on his record but not as criminal convictions.

His long criminal history includes 101 previous convictions and in 2019 he was jailed for six years and nine months for wounding a person with intent.

Judge Simon Hickey said the woman had given McGowan a home out of simple “Christian decency” and he had attacked her. McGowan was jailed for 13 months.

He was also banned from going near the woman’s home, contacting her in any way or through a third person, going to her place of work and posting anything about her on social media, or getting someone else to post about her, under a 10-year restraining order.

Defence barrister Chloe Hudson said McGowan had been trying to get help while remanded in custody but was finding it very difficult. He had mental health issues including anxiety.

He had no wish to resume the relationship with the woman and wanted to improve his life and move on.

The BBC Radio 2 star’s mum has become a star in her own right, appearing alongside Rylan on Celebrity Gogglebox

Rylan Clark has been flooded with messages as he was seen paying tribute to his mum, Linda, after sharing a glimpse at their sweet mother-son relationship.

The BBC Radio 2 star’s mum has become a star in her own right, thanks to appearing on her son’s Saturday afternoon show on the station, as well as joining him on the sofa for Celebrity Gogglebox.

And taking to social media at the start of this week, Rylan was seen celebrating his mum’s birthday. He took to Instagram with a beaming snap of the birthday girl, holding a glass of wine during a past sun-soaked holiday they had been on together.

Captioning the post, the TV and radio presenter gushed: “Happy Birthday to the best mum anyone could ask for. Love you so much mum @lindaclark still my fave photo of you xxxx.”

The birthday wishes from Rylan’s celebrity pals and followers soon came flooding in. Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford said: “Beauty! Happy Birthday @lindaclark. Have the best day. Love you.” Singer Louise Redknapp replied: “Love her!” Presenter Denise Van Outen commented: “Love your mum! Happy birthday.”

Steps star Claire Richards posted: “Oh Happy Birthday Linda! You really are the best. Have a great day.” Ru Paul’s Drag Race star and presenter Michelle Visage shared: “The greatest! HBD LINDA.” Chef and new Great British Bake Off judge Nigella Lawson also added: “Happy Birthday.”

In an interview earlier this year, Rylan revealed that once a week, his housekeeper takes his bins out ahead of collection day. Despite this, he added, his mum still rings him every Friday to remind him. And on occasion, he says, she will even turn up at his Essex mansion to bring them back in for him.

“On a Saturday, when I go to do my radio show, I’ll always drag the bins in,” he told Margie Keefe on the Tea with Nan podcast. “That’s just how I do it.”

Despite this, Linda is determined to lend her son a helping hand whenever possible. Rylan explained: “She has to come around 10am every Saturday morning. The bin men have only just left, she can see the lorry going, and she has to drag them in. Once, she’s fallen over the little metal bit of the gates. So, she’s done that once.”

Odhrán Kelly’s body was found beaten and burned inside a car ablaze in the Edward Street area of Lurgan in December 2023.

A woman from Co Galway today denied a charge arising from the murder of 23-year-old student nurse Odhrán Kelly.

Mr Kelly’s body was found beaten and burned inside a car ablaze in the Edward Street area of Lurgan in December 2023.

Crystal Angela Redden, from Gort Mhaoilir in Raheen, appeared at Belfast Crown Court today where she was arraigned on a charge of perverting the course of justice.

The 32-year old was charged that on December 7, 2023 she made and signed a false statement of evidence to police investigating the murder of Odhrán Kelly.

When asked by a court clerk how she pleaded to the charge, Redden replied “not guilty.”

She is the fifth person to have been charged with offences linked to Mr Kelly’s murder.

Lurgan men Gary Damien Scullion (34) from Edward Street and 34-year old Shane Harte from Garland Avenue have both denied murder, as has 45-year old Andrea Catherine Theresa Stevenson from Faulkner Heights in Bangor.

Stevenson was also charged with, and has denied, an offence of assisting others ‘in the removal and destruction of Odhrán Kelly’s body’, with the same charge levelled at and denied by Stephanie McClelland (38) from Lagmore Grove in Lisburn.

After it was confirmed that all five accused have now been arraigned, Madam Justice McBride said she would review the case on September 18 when it is hoped a date for the trial can be fixed.

Following this, Redden was released from the dock on continuing bail.

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Man Utd have raided Tottenham for highly-rated youngster Tynan Thompson and are set to step up efforts for Manu Kone amid opening talks with Crystal Palace for Ismaila Sarr. Spurs, after spending over £200m already this summer, could complete a double swoop for Savinho and Pedro Neto, while Liverpool are said to be interested in Spain’s World Cup final hero Ferran Torres. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!