Ed Barnes
@edbarnesjourno.bsky.social
Local Democracy Reporter for Oldham and Stockport reporting for the MEN and other LDRS partners | Previously Wirral | News Journalism MA at Cardiff Uni. #CardiffTrained
Some Green proposals announced today could cost £2.7bn but the party say their plan is fully funded. There is also a £3 a night charge floated for anyone staying overnight in Greater Manchester to fund buses www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
£20m Greater Manchester visitor levy 'would make no difference'
Some Green proposals announced today on July 9 could cost £2.7bn but the party say their plan is fully funded
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Reform's Sian Astley said those worried about immigration are not ‘nasty people or rampant racists’ and hit back against an accusation her party had an ‘agenda of hatred and division’ www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
Reform's Sian Astley says people worried about immigration are not 'racists'
Sian Astley said those worried about immigration are not ‘nasty people or rampant racists’ and hit back against an accusation her party had an ‘agenda of hatred and division’
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The @manchestereveningnews.co.uk hustings for the Manchester Mayoral election in full, the first major hustings of the race www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlNB...
IN FULL: FIERY Manchester mayor hustings as Labour and Reform CLASH in tight race
YouTube video by Manchester Evening News
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'Evil' Rochdale grooming gang leader set to be released from prison this week www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
'Evil' Rochdale grooming gang leader set to be released from prison this week
Shabir Ahmed, 73, was known to his victims as 'Daddy'
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A celebration until 5am, a victorious rally for change, a likely nap, and a run – this time from reporters. All of that will likely make up Andy Burnham’s first day as the MP for Makerfield www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
A 5am party and running from reporters - Burnham's 1st day as MP
With Sir Keir Starmer promising to fight any challenge, the gloves might be about to come off as Burnham allies warn of 'chaotic' and 'brutal' fight
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Andy Burnham & Robert Kenyon CLASH over immigration and women’s rights ahead of CRUCIAL by-election youtu.be/sq8Ln4l3HFY
IN FULL: Andy Burnham and Robert Kenyon go HEAD TO HEAD in the BATTLE for Makerfield by-election
YouTube video by Manchester Evening News
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So today is my first day at @manchestereveningnews.co.uk and I'm looking to get stuck in with all things #Oldham and #Stockport as I cover @oldhamcouncil.bsky.social and @stockportcouncil.bsky.social Get in touch or email with any tips for stories at edward.barnes@reachplc.com
“I can’t pay for everything. You have to think about what you pay every month to keep the wolf from your door. It’s not living, it’s trying to exist" As council tax goes up in Wirral tomorrow, I hit the streets yesterday to find out what people think www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
People worry about 'wolf at the door' as man says 'I'd be bankrupt'
One woman said: "Over the last two years you are working hard and you can’t even pay your bills.”
liverpoolecho.co.uk
A little life update as all good things must come to an end. After 3.5 years working with the fabulous team at @liverpoolecho.co.uk, it is time to move on. However I am incredibly excited and looking forward to join @manchestereveningnews.co.uk covering Oldham and Stockport at the beginning of May!
The boss of a Wirral memorial business banned from working in cemeteries has been accused of leaving grieving families in tears, misleading customers, and “destroying a company name”. Thomas Smith denies the accusations against him Full story: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Mum says banned headstone firm is 'playing with people's grief'
Barbara Thomas paid for her son's headstone to be repaired but said she struggled to get updates for Mackie Memorials
liverpoolecho.co.uk
A man who ran one of Wirral’s oldest businesses until it closed said he has nothing to do with Mackie Memorials, a business that has been suspended from operating in Wirral's cemeteries. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Dad behind Wirral's oldest headstone business speaks out
Allen Roberts said his family closed E.F. Mackie Limited to preserve the Mackie name and its good reputation
liverpoolecho.co.uk
A “racially abusive” neighbour who “intimidated” others has been banned from a Birkenhead property for three months. Wirral Council said those living in the area had also complained of alleged “indecent exposure”. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Neighbour 'exposed themselves' and made those near them 'suffer'
Action was taken against the person living in Birkenhead following complaints from 'intimidated' neighbours
liverpoolecho.co.uk
New charges for 22 car parks across Wirral, which are currently free, have been delayed. Deputy council leader Cllr Julie McManus said there needed to be a further review as a 2023 parking policy might no longer be fit for purpose. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Wirral makes decision over future of 22 car parks after plea
The changes would have seen charges come in for car parks in Bromborough, Heswall, and New Brighton.
liverpoolecho.co.uk
People pushing £5bn plans right through the Wirral have been told to “take your pipe and stuff it wherever you like”. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
'You can take your £5bn pipe and stuff it wherever you like'
One Wirral councillor said they are with the public and "completely and utterly against this nonsense.”
liverpoolecho.co.uk
BREAKING: Merseyside's "oldest memorial and headstone business" has been banned from Wirral's cemeteries after operating for 138 years www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Headstone makers 'banned' as customers told 'call police'
The firm, which has existed for 138 years, has now been banned from Wirral cemeteries
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Exclusive: Nelson Shardey was made a British citizen today. He told me he now feels a weight has been lifted off his shoulders and he is “free like a bird” The “local legend” saw thousands come to his aid in 2024 in his fight against the Home Office www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Dad whose life was turned upside down is now 'free like a bird'
After the ECHO broke the news in 2024, thousands came out to support "local legend" Nelson Shardey
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Covering for one of my colleagues, I dipped my toe into politics over the water making my way up to Bootle to see what Sefton Council were up to as they set their budget www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Leader slams 'absurd nonsense' Ebay claims as council tax goes up
The council faced a £29m budget gap this year
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Exclusive: Nelson Shardey was made a British citizen today. He told me he now feels a weight has been lifted off his shoulders and he is “free like a bird” The “local legend” saw thousands come to his aid in 2024 in his fight against the Home Office www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Dad whose life was turned upside down is now 'free like a bird'
After the ECHO broke the news in 2024, thousands came out to support "local legend" Nelson Shardey
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Top financial bosses have laid out the grim reality if Wirral declared bankruptcy but this now looks unlikely as four parties in Wirral move forward a balanced budget The Greens labelled it cruel and even suggested asking for a bigger bailout to avoid cuts www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Council bankruptcy warning after authority 'over water charged fortune'
Reform councillor Kathy Hodson said the council’s back was “against the wall” and needed to make difficult decisions
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Councillors are pushing for an emergency debate over plans to put a 200km pipe through Wirral www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Calls for emergency meeting over 'upsetting' 200km pipe
One councillor said: "We need to act now basically”
liverpoolecho.co.uk
A former council staff member may have been promoted to a top role despite not being qualified for the job, a new report suggests. Marcus Shaw was appointed as Wirral Council’s interim regeneration director in 2024 but left in August 2025 www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
£122k council boss may not have been up to job, but got it anyway
Concerns were also raised about the process of appointing the council's top boss
liverpoolecho.co.uk
A Merseyside council has seen a £63m loss in value related to two new office buildings. The massive loss is one of the many things revealed in a critical report into the local authority’s finances www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Offices worth £63m less than what council thought they would be
The development has been criticised by some, but there are hopes a new tenant could be moving in soon.
liverpoolecho.co.uk
A Merseyside council has been given four legal orders amid warnings the authority is heading towards financial crisis. Independent inspectors also said they’d been told Wirral Council is “an unpleasant place to work” with “a toxic atmosphere” www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Four legal orders given to council heading towards financial crisis
Independent inspectors also described "a toxic atmosphere" and "an unpleasant place to work in", something the council rejected
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Government promises to write off £55m of council's debt www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Government promises to write off £55m of council's debt
Birkenhead MP and government minister Alison McGovern said the move was part of a package to “put local government back on its feet”
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Leaked emails show council leader told off over 'conflict' by boss www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Leaked emails show council leader told off over 'conflict'
The leaked emails were sent in the run up to the decision to award £4.5m towards a museum
liverpoolecho.co.uk
Just posting to say I’m not due to be back in work until January 19. Any stories in the meantime, please pass onto my brilliant colleagues at the Echo. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!
One interesting aside from tonight's meeting is a driver's comment he thought a council officer had died. For the full story why... www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Taxi fares to rise and driver says 'I thought you died'
The area was told it could have no drivers left as people move to Uber and private hire
liverpoolecho.co.uk
A “rogue builder” who “charmed” a family with promises to renovate their home has been convicted of fraud and ordered to pay thousands of pounds. One of his victims told a Liverpool court she had been pushed into a state of depression by the situation www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
He charmed family to get £2,000 but then became 'rogue nightmare'
Michael Wood was sentenced today after pleading guilty to five charges under fraud laws and regulations to protect consumers from unfair trading
liverpoolecho.co.uk
