Government explains why Cheshire and Warrington are being moved into Tier 3 on Boxing Day

What do you think about the safety of schools? Do you think teachers and school staff should be prioritised for the vaccine? Let us know in the comments here, or on our Manchester Family Facebook page. Teacher unions have been calling for all those working in education and childcare settings to be vaccinated.

straight to your inbox every day for freeBruno Fernandes believes Paul Pogba's slow start to the season was due to his battle with Covid-19.Pogba and Fernandes were key to helping Manchester United finish third in the Premier League last season as the Reds reached the semi-final of the FA Cup and Europa League.Both men were seen as key players in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side but Pogba has found himself restricted to a role as an impact substitute in recent months.In the last few weeks, Pogba has

direct to your inboxA group of charities have written an open letter to the government urging them to provide essential funding for the homeless during the third coronavirus lockdown.The Greater Manchester-based charities, including Coffee4Craig and The Mustard Tree, have written to Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick on behalf of the Manchester Homeless Partnership organisation.They are urging the government to 'reconsider' a decision made 'not to fund essential accommodation' for the homeless and

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has urged the government to extend its ban on evictions during the coronavirus pandemic to avoid a further surge in homelessness.Court-ordered evictions are due to start again on January 11 after being temporarily suspended after the initial Covid-19 outbreak.Boris Johnson says the ban will be kept under review after being challenged by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during a debate this week.But Mr Burnham is seeking a cast-iron

direct to your inboxPrimary schools in London will remain closed following a government U-turn.It comes after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced 50 education authorities in the south of England would be closed to primary school pupils for the first two weeks of term.The list failed to encompass several school areas in London, where Covid-19 rates remain alarmingly high as the new strain continues to spread across the country.Latest scientific advice warns that the new strain variant

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police officer has been suspended from driving after a boy was knocked down by a police car and left fighting for his life.The 15-year-old was hit by the vehicle on Boxing Day as officers were responding to reports of a domestic disturbance.The accident happened at 9.30pm on Garners Lane in Stockport.The boy was taken to hospital with a serious head injury, where yesterday (December 30) his condition was described as critical but stable.In a statement GMP

direct to your inboxParents and teachers in Greater Manchester have spoken of their anger at the government's decision to only close primary schools in London and the South East - despite soaring coronavirus cases.Education secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed yesterday he was triggering the 'contingency framework' that will see all secondary schools have an extra week's holiday.Face-to-face teaching for exam year groups will resume from 11 January and all students will return on 18 January,

direct to your inboxPolice have had to shut down a Boxing Day rave after a huge gathering in the city centre.A man was arrested and two teenagers were handed a £1,000 fine following the incident.Officers were called at around 4.20am this morning after getting reports of loud music at an address in Shudehill.When they got there, they discovered around 100 people attending a rave at empty flats in Hanover Street.They dispersed the crowd and seized musical equipment.Two teenage boys – aged 17 and

Bolton, says Greater Manchester Police.

direct to your inboxIt's not something that happens very often on Christmas Day - snow actually falling.But yesterday, parts of our region witnessed the magical white stuff fall from the sky after a terrible year.What will the weather do today, on Boxing Day, as Storm Bella sweeps in?Here's our hour by hour guide to the forecast today.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by following the instructions

direct to your inboxStockport and Trafford have been awarded millions in government funding to help transform their high streets.The aim of the cash, from the Future High Streets Fund, is to support areas as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and 'help transform underused town centres into vibrant places to live, work, visit and shop'.  Stockport and Trafford are to receive the full amounts they bid for, £14.5m and  £17.6m respectively.  Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester

6km route follows the Roe Green Loopline all the way up from Monton to Worsley Woods.

ECHO. Several stores in Greater Manchester have the following opening hours.

direct to your inboxLike this entire year, Christmas Day in 2020 is anything but normal.It's a restricted, and for some quite sad time.But Greater Mancunians did have something to smile about today...

direct to your inboxStorm Bella is set to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Greater Manchester on Boxing Day.The Met Office have issued a series of weather warnings ahead of the storm's arrival on Saturday afternoon (26 December).An amber severe weather warning has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England, with gusts expected to reach up to 60 to 70mph in some places.Storm Bella is likely to bring disruption to travel and utilities, the forecaster's alert said.In

direct to your inboxStorm Bella has officially been named as strong winds and heavy rain are forecast for Boxing Day.The Met Office has said Christmas Day will be relativity calm and cold, but conditions across the UK will turn increasingly unsettled through Saturday and into Sunday. An amber weather warning has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England, with gusts expected to reach up to 60-70mph in exposed coastal locations.

Boxing Day sales will be going ahead as normal in Manchester this year, with many shops opening as usual on what is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days. Unless there are any last-minute changes to the region's coronavirus restrictions, non-essential shops will still be able to trade.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester is set to be battered by strong winds on Boxing Day.The Met Office have issued a yellow warning of wind from 3pm on Saturday 26 until 12am on Sunday 27 December.Meteorologists have warned the extreme weather could affect road, rail, air and ferry services, with longer journey times and cancellations likely."Some roads and bridges may close, and power cuts may occur with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage," the Met Office