Manchester Council Boosts Budget, Taxes

0:00It's February 27. This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. If you use public Wi-Fi or care about your privacy online, NordVPN helps keep your connection, secure across all your devices. Links in the episode description. Here's your UK news in two minutes. Manchester City Council has approved a budget topping 1 billion pounds for the first time, thanks to a 24% funding boost from the government. This comes with a council tax increase of 4.99%. The maximum allowed set to start this spring. Leaders plan to pour an extra 11 million pounds into everyday fixes, like fighting fly tipping, cleaning streets and gullies, sprucing up parks, and targeting rogue landlords. They'll also open eight libraries on Sundays, revive the heat and park fireworks, and give every secondary school student free access to council run. Gems The ruling labor group calls it a win for residents, promising real improvements despite tough times.

1:01Opposition voices, including liberal Democrats and Greens, slam the tax hike as unfair, especially with cost of living pressures hitting hard. Finance experts on the council defended the rise, noting support schemes for those in need and how skipping the max increase could shrink future. Revenue The change is taking April 1st, 2026, as Manchester balances its windfall with services resident rely on.