Andy Burham has slammed 'frankly disgraceful' claims made about his wife in a lengthy and detailed 'personal' statement issued regarding Clean Air Zone plans.
02.02.2022 - 14:41 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Andy Burnham has clashed with MPs over the government's rail investment plans for the North, accusing the Tories of suggesting "Manchester should be grateful for what we are given".
The Mayor reacted angrily at the transport select committee after one Tory MP asked him if he "understood the meaning of the phrase do not bite the hand that feeds you" in relation to Mr Burnham's criticism of the scaled back integrated rail plan.
The £96bn plan has been widely criticised across the North as the Eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds was dropped and high speed lines connecting the region's major cities were scaled back, saving the Treasury £18bn.
Read more: Northern rail plan is ‘Championship option when we needed the Premier League’
Tory MP Chris Loder said the amount being offered was still "phenomenal" and told Mr Burnham that there were "other parts of the country that are lucky to get thousands".
Fellow Tory MP Karl McCartney asked: "Do you understand the meaning of the phrase do not bite the hand that feeds you?
"Do you think that your strategy might be slightly schizophrenic? In private saying please, sir, can I have some more like Oliver, and then coming out in public and trying to beat the government up like The Incredible Hulk, do you think that's delivering for you in the people of Manchester?"
Mr Burnham fired back: "You are asserting that we should just be grateful for what we are given.
What do you make of the scaled back plan? Have your say in our comments below
"But how about get what we were promised, because it's actually your government that promised us all of that."
The Mayor went on to say that the rail plan was a "once in a 200 year decision" and warned if the North gets second best now, "then the North of
Andy Burham has slammed 'frankly disgraceful' claims made about his wife in a lengthy and detailed 'personal' statement issued regarding Clean Air Zone plans.
The towns in Greater Manchester have always held a fierce pride in their own sense of identity and community.
Andy Burnham faced a furious crowd as he was asked about the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone at a Mayor's Question Time event this week.
Greater Manchester residents will face a 7.1 pc increase in part of their council tax bill from April as leaders approve spending plans for the next financial year.
Lisa Nandy has slammed the government's levelling up strategy, likening it to a feudal system in which the north has to go 'cap in hand to a group of masters' in Westminster 'who determine what happens in our own lives and our community'.
Johnny Marr says that The Smiths “never fell out over politics,” but that they “probably would now.”Marr and songwriting partner Morrissey have had a number of high-profile beefs in the press since the band split up in the late 1980s, with Morrissey most recently asking Marr to stop mentioning him when giving interviews.In a new interview with The Guardian, Marr was posed questions by fans and celebrities about The Smiths, his solo work and beyond.In the interview, Marr was asked by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham: “Did the Smiths ever fall out over football or politics?”Marr replied: “We never discussed football so that’s that. And we never fell out over politics, but we probably would now.”A subsequent question from a fan then said: “Morrissey’s recent political views have cast a shadow over the Smiths for me – reaching back into the past and tainting something that was very important to me. I’m so disappointed in him.
The killings of 16-year-old Kennie Carter, 17-year-old Alan Szelugowski, and 20-year-old Dylan Keelan, over the last three consecutive weekends has shocked the Greater Manchester community.
The introduction of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone is being delayed, the government has announced.
The introduction of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone is being delayed until July, the government has announced.
The Clean Air Zone for Greater Manchester has been delayed until July after facing heavy criticism, and we want to hear your thoughts on the developing situation.
Nearly 150 taxis across Manchester and Salford staged a two-pronged protest against the introduction of Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges today (Febuary 3).
The mayor of Greater Manchester has vowed that Clean Air Zone charging will come to an end as soon as air quality reaches the required level.
Greater Manchester's Mayor is urging the government to 'take the politics out' of the Clean Air Zone and finally get the issue resolved.
When asked about the government’s ‘levelling up’ plan in Ashton town centre, a blank look falls over most shoppers’ faces.
Andy Burnham has been accused of 'ignoring' the public as he defended a full council tax increase for police which fewer than one in four people supported.
Boris Johnson today said that Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone plan is 'completely unworkable'.
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has blasted the government's plan to 'level up' the country, saying it "does nothing" to address the issues faced by northern towns and cities.
The government has finally unveiled its plans to 'Level Up' the nation and narrow the north-south divide, but what will the strategy mean to people in the North of England?
In Greater Manchester, plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone where the most polluting vehicles will be charged up to £60 a day have sparked a massive backlash.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called for 'major changes' to the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and we want to know your thoughts.