Shameful stuff from the UK gov: More than 100 Nepali guards who risked their lives to protect British embassy staff in Afghanistan were secretly returned to Nepal against their wishes shortly after being airlifted to safety in the UK, reports
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Helen Pidd
@helenpidd
North of England editor, the Guardian. My DMs are open. Contact me in confidence or via helen.pidd@theguardian.com
Helen Pidd’s posts
Look at this and weep for what could have been…
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Replying to @s8mb
Eurostar was originally designed to go all the way to Manchester, it then got cut down to Birmingham which is why they built the huge New Street station with (now closed) John Lewis ontop of it, and then it got cut down again to only St. Pancras.
"The main threat to women comes overwhelmingly from men, not from trans women, who should not be penalised for the actions of predatory men." Read this, by in today's Observer
I feel quite nervous sharing this but I hope it gives a bit of hope to anyone else who has experienced the pain of infertility. You are not alone. Thanks to and everyone who talked to me for this article
IVF fails more often than it succeeds. But hardly anyone -with the notable exception of
- talks about what happens when it doesn’t work. If you know this pain, remember there are many paths to fulfilment, with regrets & joys along each route
About time too - Transpennine Express to be taken into government control
Accidentally boarded a train for Holyhead instead of Liverpool (I blame good old platform 14 at Piccadilly and a cocktail of delays) so will now get to sample England's slowest train service: Chester to Liverpool. 41 minutes to go 14 miles
People in London don't believe me when I tell them just how bad TransPennine Express is: the booking angst, the 10pm "pre-cancellation" check, the last minute switch to car or taxi...
The German band turned away at Calais may have been refused entry to the UK because they all admitted having day jobs (like 99% of people in the arts). Post Brexit rules say foreign artists can only be paid for work relating to their "main job".
Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to share their own stories. I really did write this for you. An unrealistic number of infertility stories in the media end with a baby. I hope you can see there is joy and hope in the path you did not choose.
I live in a Tory constituency (Hazel Grove, Stockport) and the only local election candidates to post me a leaflet (actually: many leaflets) are the Lib Dems. Would not be surprised if Stockport Council is a Conservative-free zone by tomorrow evening. Feels like they've given up.
Shameful stuff from the Telegraph. Do their readers not also want the safety net of the welfare state if they or their loved ones become too sick or disabled to work?
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The Telegraph newsletter today has an online tool to help its readers calculate “how much of your salary bankrolls the welfare state” - and the 4 million people too sick or disabled to work.
I feel quite sick. They are literally baiting their readers to ask what a burden we are.
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Hmm let’s keep calling it Factory regardless
Update - the Salford Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Twells has been elected in the Cotswolds *as well*, after standing there as a "paper candidate". Oops. He won 38% of the vote, ousting the sitting Tory.
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After winning his seat by 90 votes in Ordsall claiming to be the 'local candidate', I am shocked to find sitting Salford Lib Dem Councillor Chris Twells is a resident of Tetbury in the Cotswolds, and presently standing there for election.
I believe he has questions to answer.
It's enraging, isn't it? And serves precisely no one. They are not coming to take British jobs. They just wanted to make a racket to crowds of 100 or so people in seven venues across the UK, who would all have bought lots of pints and contributed to actual British jobs.
My DMs are open if TransPennine staff want to explain wtf is going on. Anonymity guaranteed. Is there a deliberate attempt to offer an appalling service in this interim period to suggest that taking the contract off First Group was a mistake? Have drivers left in their droves?
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Almost a third of @TPExpressTrains cancelled today before we even woke up. Woeful. twitter.com/TrainBeacon/st…
I was nervous about the podcast and sharing how my greatest fear had come true in this article. But the hundreds of kind emails and messages I have received - from people childfree by choice or circumstance, as well as parents - made the risk worth taking. theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2
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I bare my soul on this episode of Today in Focus, about coming to terms with not having my own children, and finding solace in the childfree community. Thanks to @RuthAbrahams5 and @elizacasss for their sensitive production podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tod
That’s the final Tory councillor ousted from Stockport, with Oliver Johnstone losing his council seat. Lib Dems win all 3 in new Norbury and Woodsmoor ward. Still a few wards to count but no one expects the Tories to win any of them. Stockport currently has two Tory MPs…
Is this the first time Stockport has had no Tory councillors since it was born as a local authority in 1974? Amateur historians at the count think so. Bodes badly for whoever contests the Hazel Grove and Cheadle constituencies for the Conservatives.
Today I was hoping to dispatch our excellent trainee, , to Newcastle from Manchester for a story. But had other ideas.
Loads of my favourite people have kids and I am an enthusiastic auntie, stepmum and godmum. I value these relationships so much, but it is very important to me to have childfree friends too. Here's to honest conversations and bridging the divide between the haves and have nots.
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Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to share their own stories. I really did write this for you. An unrealistic number of infertility stories in the media end with a baby. I hope you can see there is joy and hope in the path you did not choose. theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2
I bare my soul on this episode of Today in Focus, about coming to terms with not having my own children, and finding solace in the childfree community. Thanks to and for their sensitive production
You have to wonder who makes these rules. Are they people whose only experience of culture is going to the opera or the proms? In the streaming age, how many bands now can afford to give up the day jobs to tour and play gigs?
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The German band turned away at Calais may have been refused entry to the UK because they all admitted having day jobs (like 99% of people in the arts). Post Brexit rules say foreign artists can only be paid for work relating to their "main job". theguardian.com/politics/2023/
I’m in a women’s cycling club and we welcome all members who identify as women. All part of life’s rich tapestry. Appreciate it’s more complicated at the uppermost elite level of sport but anyone can ride around the Peak District slowly with me.
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W.I boss says the organisation does not want to enter into a “toxic and divisive” row that sought to sow discord among women, but instead foster sensible discourse and reflect the lives of all its members – including those that are transgender. 
theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/a
theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aJust doing some interviews in a pub near the Etihad for a football story and a guy comes up to me with an Asda bag and asks: “want any Lurpak?”
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‘One guy uses us like a larder’: the British shoplifting crisis – as seen from the tills in Chorlton, and Manchester magistrates court. theguardian.com/society/2023/j
The Conservative group leader on Stockport council (Mike Hurleston) has just lost his seat to a Lib Dem. It’s a clean sweep for the Lib Dems in wealthy Bramhall South & Woodford.
My top tip for accepting a life without children is to find others in the same boat, and exploit all the freedoms you now have with them. Here is another article I wrote about that, featuring my personal saviours, Mia and Laura of
So many gems in this great piece. And then you get to the line about the Britain First t-shirt...
Serious over-reach from the Met… Among those arrested around the Coronation were Westminster city council’s women’s safety campaign Night Stars, who hand out rape alarms. I’d love to see this “intel” that these volunteers planned to scare the horses.
I live near this river and it stinks. Thanks, United Utilities
‘One guy uses us like a larder’: the British shoplifting crisis – as seen from the tills in Chorlton, and Manchester magistrates court.
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Wow, the Sunday Times’ long serving rugby correspondent Stephen Jones (40 years and counting) says he still files using copy takers.
🚨 Job alert 🚨 The Guardian is recruiting for a Manchester-based UK community affairs correspondent, focusing on Black, Asian and ethnic-minority populations and racial justice issues more widely
Some of my friends were quite horrified I did this but when else do you get the chance to close your main road and take over the street for a huge community party?
A Ukrainian state orchestra had to postpone part of its UK Harry Potter tour because key members could not get visas in time. The UK government previously used this exact show as an example of British-Ukrainian solidarity.
Check out the disclaimer at the bottom of Politico's interview with President Macron -
Update: we went to and the food was absolutely delicious, better than ever. Hard recommend for a Monday night (or indeed any other night) when you are celebrating something or someone.
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Greedy Mancunians: where is good to eat in the city centre that’s open on a Monday night? Birthday celebration but not too fancy Cc: @ThomHetheringto
A 19-year-old was killed cycling just off Deansgate last month. There is a ride on Tuesday to commemorate their life and those of all who have been killed on Greater Manchester's roads.
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Join us to demand safety for all on #GreaterManchester roads, in memory of those killed while trying to get around, incl. a 19-yr-old cycling last month.
Whether walking, wheeling or cycling, meet outside #Manchester Central Library on Tue 20 Jun from 5.30pm to depart at 6pm.
Whether walking, wheeling or cycling, meet outside #Manchester Central Library on Tue 20 Jun from 5.30pm to depart at 6pm.
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Very interesting piece by which suggests that Labour's refusal to let local members chose candidates could have lost them the Uxbridge byelection. See also: the Jamie Driscoll saga in the NE.
. on today's woeful service: only 50% of TPE drivers are currently equipped to drive the trains and routes in their roster (nuts!) & at least 5000 outstanding training days for drivers — "a consequence of our operation being made very complicated over the years."
Tell me your best Transpennine Express horror stories and whether you welcome First Group being stripped of the contract - it's for a Guardian story, so indicate if you are happy to be quoted and I will DM you for more details. Or email helen.pidd@theguardian.com
I've asked the Home Office several times to explain why Trigger Cut were refused entry into the UK and they just keep sending me the same bland generic statement about how "musicians and performers are a valued and important part of UK culture".
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The German band turned away at Calais may have been refused entry to the UK because they all admitted having day jobs (like 99% of people in the arts). Post Brexit rules say foreign artists can only be paid for work relating to their "main job". theguardian.com/politics/2023/
W.I boss says the organisation does not want to enter into a “toxic and divisive” row that sought to sow discord among women, but instead foster sensible discourse and reflect the lives of all its members – including those that are transgender. ✅
I became a reporter in 2007 when some court reporters still filed everything via copytaker, phoning in their stories from the Old Bailey and High Court. I used to like listening to them rattle off their reports off the top of their heads, including punctuation.
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Wow, the Sunday Times’ long serving rugby correspondent Stephen Jones (40 years and counting) says he still files using copy takers.
In happier news, I think I had the best sandwich of my life today at Kampus in Manchester (the shoulder of pork one). Highly recommend the cocktails at Red Light round the corner too (I did not have any of those at lunchtime today though). instagram.com/redlightmcr/
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there are two different routes in, as I understand it. One is the free route they took, which requires invitation letters (which they had) but which has this clause about your paid performances having to relate to your "main job". The other is sponsorship, which costs £.
Tories also wiped out in Nottingham
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Nottingham: for the first time ever, a Tory-free zone.
Tremendous result, testament to the leadership of David Mellen, Sally Longford and Adele Williams, steering the Council through difficult times.
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I interviewed Brianna Ghey’s mum as she comes to terms with her daughter’s murder
Labour has just lost 3 seats in Edgeley in Stockport to the newly formed Edgeley Community Association, founded by young ex Labour councillor Matt Wynne. The Greens won all 3 seats in Stockport’s Reddish South (a gain of 1 from Lab).
Glaring flaws in the idea of excluding trans people from single-sex spaces | Letter
Times writers on how they are tightening their belts. Seems Gen Z don’t do rounds any more. Imagine buying someone a drink and texting them the next day for the money back. Is this a thing now?
Looks like not much has changed yet with and their complete inability to operate a full timetable. If I had to rely on them daily I’d lose my mind. twitter.com/TrainBeacon/st
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Must admit I’d always thought Manchester was on the right side of history when it came to slavery. The mill workers going on strike in solidarity with the enslaved cotton pickers, the Lincoln statue as a thank you gift, etc. If you too had this blind spot, read this:
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Essential reading for Mancunians who have bought into (or promoted) a very selective history of the city and how it got rich on cotton. Our @lanrebakare poses some big qs for @mancitycouncil and @officialUoM theguardian.com/news/ng-intera
Something very fishy going on in the selection process to be the first mayor of the north-east - they've blocked the actual sitting LABOUR mayor in the North of Tyne, Jamie Driscoll, from standing
Stockport’s Lib Dem council leader Mark Hunter says it’s looking “a very real possibility of a total Conservative wipe out”, with all four Tories looking likely to lose their seats. Labour being run very close by ex-labour independents in Edgeley.
This is a really good thread if you want to understand why trans people are so worried about the proposed changes to the Equalities Act.
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1. Now - we have a right to not be discriminated against in employment, housing, goods, services etc. We also have a right to personal autonomy & where we have met the conditions to be recognised in law in our affirmed gender for all purposes. But having a right doesn’t … twitter.com/Prole1986/stat…
Sobering that this story about press freedom & media standards includes testimony from , an ex reporter from the Sheffield Star, now , about quitting shortly after being asked to write a story about a celebrity's sausage sandwich
Arrested for standing next to the "wrong" people at the Coronation...
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Exclusive: Thought the arrest of @GrahamSmith_ and @RepublicStaff protesters at the King’s coronation was a bit over the top? Meet Alice Chambers, a quiet, 36-year-old Aussie who’s lived in London for about seven years. What happened to her on Saturday is a wild ride.
Essential reading for Mancunians who have bought into (or promoted) a very selective history of the city and how it got rich on cotton. Our poses some big qs for and
The whole fertility industry makes me furious. The one round we paid for (£7k… it’s always more than on the clinic website) involved me not being fully sedated during egg collection because the clinic had no anaesthetist working that day. I was awake and it was harrowing.
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Replying to @helenpidd
Worth flagging that @HFEA publish data on #IVF success rates which are lower than slick ads from clinics might suggest: hfea.gov.uk/about-us/publi
Also clinics with "high" success rates may be pickier about their patients i.e. reject more difficult cases
“There are a lot of knobheads about and it’s got worse in the past year. There’s definitely more homophobia and targeted abuse" - reports from Canal Street after an LGBTQ+ shop was targeted for the third time
What has happened to all the in Manchester tonight? Had to leg it for the last train when i realised the entire city centre was more or less bike-free.
I was wondering where was - confused that we got the south-east news this evening. Then I remembered the local news strike. Solidarity with the strikers 🤛🏼
A few weeks ago the Lib Dem's leader in Salford said Chris Twells (a sitting councillor) would not win in the Cotswolds, telling : "His name is on the ballot paper as a paper candidacy because the Lib Dems were struggling to fill their slate. He will not win." Oops.
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Update - the Salford Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Twells has been elected in the Cotswolds *as well*, after standing there as a "paper candidate". Oops. He won 38% of the vote, ousting the sitting Tory. twitter.com/salford_mayor/…
How many people voted for Brexit so that German noise rocks bands can't do a little UK tour? "They come over here, blow our eardrums out... and then go back to Germany after a week."
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The German band turned away at Calais may have been refused entry to the UK because they all admitted having day jobs (like 99% of people in the arts). Post Brexit rules say foreign artists can only be paid for work relating to their "main job". theguardian.com/politics/2023/
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As far as I know there is no law against a councillor living 150 miles away from their ward. But if he actually lives in Salford and pretended to live in the Cotswolds on the nomination forms then he is in trouble.
I'm getting a lot of messages from people saying apologetically that they can't be open about having IVF. No need to apologise: I understand completely. This is a piece I wrote anonymously when my treatment was put on hold because of Covid
Very soft interview with Andy Burnham in today’s Sunday Telegraph, in which he says can still foresee a return to Westminster but insists he wants Starmer to be PM
The need to be there when you need to get to Piccadilly and it’s a half hour walk or a 5-minute Uber. have loads of bikes gone awol or is it a redistribution problem?
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There rarely seem to be any @BerylBikes in Manchester when I need them at the end of the evening
Tomorrow's edition of the Guardian's daily podcast Today In Focus is all about infertility and finding solace in the childfree movement - I'll share a link to it once it's live.
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Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to share their own stories. I really did write this for you. An unrealistic number of infertility stories in the media end with a baby. I hope you can see there is joy and hope in the path you did not choose. theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2
‘We have brothers, sons, lovers – but they can’t live here!’ The happy home shared by 26 women. Love this utopian idyll
Does anyone in Stockport or Manchester have any glasses like this that I can borrow for our Coronation street party?
‘Labour are scared’: north-east party members quit to back Jamie Driscoll in mayoral vote, as he raises £114,000 in a week for his fighting fund
If you have always wanted to be a journalist but thought it wasn't a viable career for someone like you, whoever you may be - apply for this. Can you help us tell better stories about the world in 2023?
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Scott Trust Bursary: applications are OPEN
Fully funded #Journalism MA
Living allowance and work experience at The Guardian
Mentoring
Opportunity for fixed term contract @guardian
Number of bursaries available this year has doubled
theguardianfoundation.org/programmes/scoNana here didn’t realise the press release contains Courteeners lyrics
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Children are what some call “an indicator species”: as long as a city or town has a good and large mix of kids, you know it will be fine. In which case, the signs from London’s indicator species should worry us all.| Such a good column by
Oh yeah and there’s a job in the Caribbean too but wouldn’t you rather be in tropical Manchester?
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Job alert The Guardian is recruiting for a Manchester-based UK community affairs correspondent, focusing on Black, Asian and ethnic-minority populations and racial justice issues more widely theguardian.com/gnm-press-offiReally enjoyed this podcast, about women cycling long distances on their own.
Apologies, Alison - I will correct the articles.
Oh, nana here didn’t get the reference
It’s a terrible question. Probably worse than “have you got kids?” because of the implication that a family isn’t real without children. I’m glad it resonated with you. Wishing you every happiness.
Where Hull leads, London follows... very interesting talking to about how Humberside police stopped attending most mental health calls and turned itself into the most efficient force in England (highest arrest and detection rate)
Two out of five from Liverpool to Manchester have been cancelled this morning in the 10am-11am slot. Things can hopefully only get better.
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About time too - Transpennine Express to be taken into government control theguardian.com/business/2023/
Read this - and buy less (and keep longer)
Oh this is a shame - RIP North Tea Power, a proper Northern Quarter pioneer
The AI-based approach places the critical north-south dividing line at which avocado wraps give way to sausage rolls close to the M1 Watford Gap services and concludes that Birmingham, Coventry & Leicester should be considered “northern”.
A third Lib Dem gain from the Tories in Stockport, with another clean sweep in Bramhall North.
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The Conservative group leader on Stockport council (Mike Hurleston) has just lost his seat to a Lib Dem. It’s a clean sweep for the Lib Dems in wealthy Bramhall South & Woodford.
I don't have anything approaching the attention span for a PhD but this sounds like a good one: studying philosophy and climate change in the Peak District wrocah.ac.uk/cda-projects-o
I'll be talking to Jeremy Vine about shoplifting on Radio 2 very shortly, should you feel like tuning in.
“I’d like to see more stuff made in Birmingham and the creativity and talent championed here,” told our . “But I don’t think we’d like it to become a city of media tossers.”
I was also in Liverpool crown court briefly this morning for a hearing in the case of the teenagers accused of Brianna Ghey. Nothing can be reported from that, apart from that the trial is not going to start on 10th July as planned. An alternative date has yet to be fixed.
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Busy day today - I was in court to see eight men from Rochdale go on trial accused of grooming and exploiting two girls from the age of 12 and 13. Very grim story theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/m
I wrote it for you. Wishing you every happiness, even if the path you end up on is not the one you would have chosen.