Changes To Voting 2023 and Photo ID

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Site Admin

The government has introduced Voter Photo ID for local elections this year. You MUST have valid photo ID with you when you vote in person at a polling station on 4 May. See below for a list of what photo ID will be accepted.

If you don’t have valid Photo ID (details below) you can apply for a free Voter Authorisation Certificate. You must apply before 17.00 on Tuesday 25 April 2023.

Here is a video explaining the new requirements.

Voter ID video

Accepted forms of photo ID

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.

International travel

Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country

Driving and Parking

Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
A Blue Badge

Local travel

Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
Freedom Pass
Scottish National Entitlement Card
60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Proof of age

Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

What if I don’t have valid Photo ID?

You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:

you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
you’re worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker

You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Find out how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

Further Discretionary £150 Council Tax Rebates

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Jeremy Hoad

Manchester City Council is making additional £150 payments to people via a council tax rebate.

This is a further payment from the government that Manchester City Council has decided how to allocate from the government’s £1,626,150 discretionary fund allocation to Manchester.

Manchester City Council says:

“We’ve made discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate payments of £150 to some of our residents most in need. For some families and residents aged 80 or over, this is a second payment of £150. If you pay your council tax by Direct Debit, we’ve paid the £150 directly into your bank account and sent you a letter. If you don’t pay by Direct Debit, or have no council tax to pay, we’ve sent you a Post Office Voucher.”
Manchester City Council

People who qualify for these payments should receive them by 11 July 2022.

Further details are available HERE

Covid Infection Rates & How To Protect Our Community

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

Covid infection rates

Our local rates (as of 1 July 2021):

650 (Levenshulme Central)
442 (Levenshulme South & Burnage North)
498 (Levenshulme North)

and within a kilometre the rate is 962.

The rate for Manchester as a whole is now 544. On 17 May the rate was 43.

Levenshulme was designated a High Risk Area on 20 May and the Director of Public Health said action was needed to avoid rates getting to 300 as they were in Bolton at that point. There was a two to three week window of opportunity with it being a “race against time” to prevent a rise in infection rates.

Since then the government also designated Greater Manchester and much of the North West of England an Enhanced Response Area on 8 June with people told to get tested twice a week. An update on ERA status is available HERE.

As of 1 July 61.2% of adults have had one vaccination and 39.4% have had two vaccinations in Manchester.

Rules removed

You can read the full government announcement from 5 July 2021 HERE

Manchester will be the same as all of England on 19 July with pretty much all restrictions and rules used to protect people removed.

Protect Yourself and others

Please get vaccinated for your own protection and for the protection of our community.

Protective measures such as face masks and social distancing may not be compulsory from 19 July but it is advisable to remain cautious during this third wave of infections.

Check the Manchester City Council website for updates including pop-up vaccination centres HERE

The closest pop-up vaccination centre is currently at Belle Vue with a free shuttle bus running through Levenshulme with a pick up point on Matthews Lane.

EU Settlement Scheme Deadline Only 2 Days Away

Posted on June 28, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

URGENT

Please check this information from the UK Government Home Office if you are an EU citizen. You MUST apply for settled status by 30 June 2021 or you will lose the right to remain in the UK following the implementation of Brexit by the UK government.

Continue reading →

Greater Manchester Enhanced Response Area & Levenshulme High Risk Area for Covid-19

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

Greater Manchester has been designated an “Enhanced Response Area” for Covid-19 by the government. This follows Manchester City Council classifying Levenshulme as a “High Risk Area” on 20 May apparently because of low vaccination take up and the high incidence of infections.

David Regan, Director of Public Health for Manchester released a briefing note on 9 June which stated: “ERA work – which is like to start from the end of this week – will give us further support with the plans and strategies we already have in place, along with all the fantastic work that you and our communities are already doing.” You can read and download the full briefing note below.

One of those plans was to prevent infection rates increasing in High Risk areas like Levenshulme although it has been impossible to find out clear information of what this plan was or what measures were taken from 20 May. The intention was to prevent infection rates rising to around 300 as happened in Bolton. This was said to be “…a race against time” with “…a two to three week window” by David Regan. Infection rates for Manchester were around 45 on 17 May and 285 on 12 June.

Thanks to Joanna Midgley, Manchester City Council Executive member with responsibility for health for talking to Jeremy Hoad, LCA Secretary and providing the community briefing note. Unfortunately no Levenshulme councillors have been available over the past month to discuss these matters.

ERA-community-briefing-note Download

Continue reading →

Boundary Commission Proposes Abolishing Manchester Gorton

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

The Boundary Commission has released maps of its initial proposals. Levenshulme is currently in the Manchester Gorton parliamentary constituency. The proposal would mean this constituency is abolished and replaced with a new “Manchester Longsight” constituency.

The new constituency is shown below. You can also view the maps of the new constituency and other changes by entering your postcode on the interactive maps HERE.

2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies

The Boundary Commission for England is the independent organisation responsible for reviewing Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England (see below for other parts of the UK).

The current review will conclude with a formal report and recommendations in June 2023, so it is referred to as the ‘2023 Review’. You can see a summary of the process HERE or read a more detailed description in the Guide to the 2023 Review. Recent changes to the law make it very likely that the recommendations from this review will be implemented, so the Boundary Commission encourages participation in the process by giving them your views through its website. You can use the Boundary Commission website to:

view current constituency and local authority boundaries;
view our proposals for new constituency boundaries; and
submit a response directly to us about our proposals (during a defined consultation period).

From the second consultation period onwards, you will also be able to:

view the responses submitted by others; and
submit a comment directly to us, supporting or contesting a response from somebody else.

The Boundary Commission has also produced a short and simple step by step guide on how to use its website and comment on the proposals.

Consultation is currently open until Tuesday 2nd August 2021 – please make sure any response is submitted by that date at the latest, or it will not be considered.

EU Settlement Scheme Deadline 30 June 2021

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

Now the UK has left the EU many people must register to remain living in the UK. You must register under the government’s European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. You can also apply if you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland. This is not optional if you want to continue living in the UK, it is compulsory.

The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021. You must usually have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 to qualify for this scheme.

The scheme is FREE.

There are some variations to these general requirements. You can find full details on the government website HERE.

From 1 July 2021 a person’s presence in the UK will no longer be tolerated if they have not applied under the EUSS, they will be considered unlawfully resident. That person will face restrictions on rights and entitlements in the UK and will fall within the UK Government’s ‘hostile environment’ immigration policies until such time that they obtain pre-Settled Status or Settled Status.

It does not matter how long you have been living in the UK, if you fall under the EUSS the UK government requires you to register. If you do not register you could be forcibly removed.

For clarification all UK citizens also lost all rights to freedom of movement across the EU and all associated benefits they were eligible for in EU nations as a result of how the UK government has implemented Brexit. Each EU member has its own scheme for UK citizens already living there.

Twice weekly rapid testing to be available to everyone in England

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

Everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing from 9 April, the Government has announced.

Everyone in England, including those without symptoms, will be able to take a free rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) test twice a week
Alongside vaccine rollout, regular testing is at the heart of plans to reopen society and the economy, helping to suppress and control the spread of variants
Updates will be made to the NHS COVID-19 app in England to coincide with the universal testing offer

Further information available HERE

The Roadmap Out Of Lockdown

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

David Regan, Director of Public Health for Manchester, explains some of the key dates for the relaxation of lockdown restrictions assuming the changes go to plan and are confirmed by the government.

Throughout the next few months we must all still adhere to social distancing rules and the hands / face / space guidance.

See below for the full government announcement how the rules will change and when that can also be viewed HERE.

Continue reading →

What are the new Lockdown rules?

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Jeremy Hoad

We are now in another lockdown introduced by the government to attempt to reduce Covid19 infection rates. This is particularly in response to the rapid spread of the new variant of the virus which is much easier to catch. The Health Secretary and Prime Minister have both stated that the virus is currently out of control. These rules became law on Monday 4 January and have subsequently been ratified on Wednesday 6 January in a retrospective debate and vote in Parliament.

You can read the full government guidance HERE.

Summary: what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.

Leaving home

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
attend education or childcare – for those eligible

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early years settings remain open.

Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local – unless it is necessary to go further, for example to go to work. Stay local means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work

Meeting others

You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

You cannot meet other people you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.

LCA collaboration on 2021 Census

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

Levenshulme Community Association is pleased to confirm that we are partnering with the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to provide information on the 2021 census.

The 2021 Census will take place on 21 March. Resources, information and guidance will be provided on the LCA website to help understand the value, purpose and importance of the census as well as how to take part.

Jeremy Hoad, LCA Secretary has already had a meeting with ONS staff to explore collaboration. Keep an eye out for further announcements but in the meantime you can find more information on the dedicated ONS census website HERE

What is the Census?

“The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The census is unique. There’s simply nothing else that gives so much detail about us and the society we live in.
All kinds of organisations, from local authorities to charities, use the information to help provide the services we all need, including transport, education and healthcare. Without the census, it would be much more difficult to do this.
By taking part, you’ll be helping make sure you and your community get the services needed now and in the future.”
Office for National Statistics

Small Business Grants

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

Applications for discretionary grants for small businesses close TODAY at 10pm.

Please see below for full details and a link to apply.

Continue reading →

UK Government Recovery Strategy

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

The UK government has released new guidance on its proposed “recovery strategy” described as a “roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis”. The contents are listed below for reference.

The new guidance provides information on changes to the current restrictions in place since 23rd March 2020 and changes planned for the coming weeks and months.

Please note that although this is identified as guidance from the UK government it only applies in England. The devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have independent responsibility for their own approaches.

Click HERE to view the document on the government website.

Click HERE to download a copy of the PDF

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement on the proposals, 10 May 2020

Response from Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition, 11 May 2020

Continue reading →

Job Retention Scheme Claims

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

The government’s Job Retention Scheme is now live and taking claims.

Claim for 80% of your employee’s wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions, if you have put them on furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can find full information and guidance HERE

You can submit a claim HERE

A Message from the PM

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

A message from the Prime Minister on the day he has come out of hospital following treatment for Covid19.

Press Conferences

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

A new page has been added to the LCA website for the UK government covid19 press conferences.

The page includes a link to the video of each press conference, a daily transcript / report and downloads of the slides used.

The page is available in the drop down menu on the Coronavirus (Covid19) menu tab. You can go directly to the page HERE

Manchester Nightingale Hospital

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

The government is building several new hospitals across the UK to cope with the demand placed on the NHS because of the Covid19 crisis. The Manchester “Nightingale” hospital is being contracted in the Manchester Central Convention Complex (formerly known as the G-Mex).

NHS Volunteer Responder Service

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Jeremy Hoad

The government is setting up a NHS Volunteer Responder Service, hoping to recruit 250,000 people to do simple but vital tasks such as:

delivering medicines from pharmacies;
driving patients to appointments;
bringing them home from hospital;
or making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home.

The NHS Volunteer Responders Service is not intended to replace local groups helping their vulnerable neighbours but is an additional service provided by the NHS.

View the announcement HERE

You can become an NHS Volunteer Responder and join the NHS’s trusted list of volunteers by clicking HERE

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Accepted forms of photo ID

International travel

Driving and Parking

Local travel

Proof of age

Other government issued documents

What if I don’t have valid Photo ID?

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2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies

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Summary: what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

Leaving home

Meeting others

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