Plans for daily Covid tests in schools halted amid new variant

were identified in two households in the area in recent days.It is related to a strain first detected in Bristol last month, which is related to the UK's dominant strain identified in Kent towards the end of last year.Now, at least 10,000 people across homes and businesses will be offered free PCR tests in an effort to contain the virus.Testing units will be set up for walk-in appointments and home testing kits will also be offered by council workers knocking door-to-door in the affected

direct to your inboxThousands of people in Manchester are to be offered immediate Covid-19 tests after a new variant of the virus was identified in the area. Manchester City Council will be inviting everyone living or working within a specific footprint for tests from tomorrow after four cases of a new strain were identified in two households on Moss Side.

direct to your inboxMore than ten thousand people in Moss Side and neighbouring communities are to be offered immediate Covid-19 tests after a new variant of the virus was identified in the area.From tomorrow Manchester council will be inviting all over-16s living, working or studying within a specific footprint - including most of Moss Side and small parts of Whalley Range, Hulme and Fallowfield - for tests, after four cases of a new strain were identified in two unrelated households.Dedicated

straight to your inbox every day for free Amad Diallo is set to make his second Manchester United appearance when the Under-23s face Blackburn on Friday night.

direct to your inboxThe head of Manchester’s planning committee has defended the controversial decision to approve proposals to build offices on a much-loved green space in Ancoats.More than 5,000 people signed a petition opposing the ‘workspace campus’ on New Islington Green, a large patch of grass by New Islington tram stop.Residents, Labour councillors and Liberal Democrat campaigners urged the committee to save the green, which had grown in popularity during lockdown.But most members voted

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester leaders have agreed to spend more than £69m on developing a ‘world class’ public transport system in the city-region. The combined authority will progress plans for a long-awaited £15m railway station in Golborne, extra Metrolink stops, and improved bus services on northern and eastern routes.

Stockport, and £2m in a new travel hub, including a park and ride facility in Tyldesley.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are hopeful Amad Diallo will develop into their long-term right winger.Diallo, 18, completed his £37million transfer from Atalanta this month and was one of two right wingers United signed in October, along with Uruguayan teenager Facundo Pellistri, following the failed pursuit of Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.The last specialist right winger United signed prior to Pellistri and Diallo was Wilfried Zaha in the January 2013

direct to your inboxPlans to build a 17-storey office tower on Deansgate have been thrown out after councillors sided with residents of a neighbouring building who said it would block out their sunlight.The glass tower planned to replace Speakers House would also have an overbearing impact on neighbouring heritage buildings, according to Manchester’s planning committee.Members had been warned that their reasons for refusal were ‘weak’ and would not stand up to an appeal by property firm Kames,

direct to your inboxManchester’s planning committee have delayed making a decision on a controversial 55-storey student skyscraper in the city centre after hearing concerns from residents and councillors.Council officers have backed the £130m development of 853 flats in Hulme Street despite being warned that it will face a legal challenge if planning permission is granted.Residents of Macintosh Village off Oxford Road have been fighting against the red-brick ‘tombstone’, which would be one of

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester’s long-delayed Clean Air Zone could be signed off by leaders by the summer after months of public consultation.Vans, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and lorries that do not meet emission standards would have to pay a daily charge to drive in the city-region under the plans.Local authorities across the UK have been mandated by the government to introduce charging Clean Air Zones to combat illegal levels of air pollution in the shortest possible

direct to your inboxPlans for more than 400 new homes in Partington have been approved.Trafford council’s planning committee met last night (Thursday) to discuss proposals from developer Countryside Properties for 449 houses on land off Hall Lane, and another plot next to the Manchester Ship Canal.Plans were submitted in two applications.The first will see 151 homes on land off Hall Lane, including a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes.There will be 78 affordable houses on site, according

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans want the club to do everything in their power to keep Paul Pogba this summer. Despite falling behind in the first five minutes, United retook top spot in the Premier League on Wednesday with a hard fought 2-1 victory at Fulham.

“Their memories will endure and Manchester will never forget them.

direct to your inboxPlans to turn a disused bowling green in south Manchester into a thriving community garden could be closer to reality after being shortlisted for a funding competition. Chapel Street Park is one of the oldest parks in Levenshulme but the bowling green has been left to ruin after the local bowling group moved to a new base.