Latest news with #BeeNetwork
Daily Record
15-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Anas Sarwar pledges to back local businesses as First Minister as bus firm set to leave Scotland
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Labour leader will join mayors of some of the UK's biggest cities to try and create a contracts pipeline for domestic firms. ANAS Sarwar has pledged to prioritise local companies if he becomes First Minister in the wake of the collapse of a Scottish bus firm. The Scottish Labour leader is planning a major transport summit with some of the UK's mayoral heavyweights to discuss how to protect domestic manufacturers. It comes after Larbert bus firm Alexander Dennis announced last week it was putting 400 jobs at risk and is preparing to move its operations to one site in England. Sarwar accused the Scottish Government of failing to invest in Scottish firms and opting instead to buy from overseas companies in places like China, Turkey and Poland. This summer he is planning a major meeting with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Liverpool mayor Steve Rotherham and the mayors of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and North East England to discuss how to give firms like Alexander Dennis greater stability. The First Minister will also be invited. Sarwar said: 'I won't sit back while jobs are under threat at Alexander Dennis in Larbert. 'I've called this summit to look at how we secure more work for domestic manufacturers but I also want to learn from Mayors like Andy Burnham who has already ensured that contracts go to Scottish and British firms. 'It's frankly a scandal that the Mayor of Greater Manchester has managed to buy almost four times as many buses from Scotland as the SNP Scottish Government. 'A future Scottish Labour Government will make sure that Scottish workers are put first. 'While the SNP fail Scottish manufacturing, Scottish Labour will stand up for workers and businesses here.' Alexander Dennis previously said it was considering moving manufacturing to a site in Scarborough and stop work at its Falkirk site. Operations at its second Scottish base in Larbert would also be closed after current contracts are finished. Paul Davies, the company's president, said the firm was facing strong competition from Chinese electric bus makers and said current UK policies didn't incentivise firms to provide local jobs. A consultation is now being launched which puts up to 400 jobs at risk of redundancy - 22 per cent of the company's 1850-strong workforce. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he had invested in 160 buses from the firm for his city's Bee Network public transport system - almost four times the number of vehicles bought by the Scottish Government, according to Alexander Dennis. He said: 'I'm proud that Greater Manchester has invested in Scottish and British manufacturing as we've built the Bee Network. 'The workforce at Alexander Dennis in Larbert are outstanding and the buses they've built for our city-region are the core of the Bee Network. 'Following the Chancellor's Spending Review, we now have an opportunity, as mayors, to maximise the funding we've secured and create a pipeline of work for companies here. 'This summit convened by Anas Sarwar is a key opportunity for mayors and Scottish Labour to work together, looking at how we can all provide greater certainty for our domestic manufacturers and workers like those at Alexander Dennis.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Liverpool mayor Steve Rotherham recently ordered 58 electric vehicles from Alexander Dennis while South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard, Mayor of North East England, Kim McGuinness and West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin are set to buy hundreds of buses in the coming years after a cash boost from the Treasury. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £15.6bn of transport funding for mayoral authorities in last week's Spending Review, with around £1.5bn expected for the Scottish Government. Sarwar hopes the funds can be used to benefit domestic firms and the UK economy by creating a coordinated stream of contracts from some of the biggest cities rather than having contracts go overseas. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: 'I have pledged to make the North East bus fleet fully electric as soon as possible as part of my plans to bring buses back under public control. 'I would love to buy buses from Scottish and UK-based manufacturers. It makes no sense to have to go abroad for green technology when we already have the skills and capacity just over the border in Scotland.' Rotherham said Sarwar's summit was 'the kind of united, people-powered leadership needed to safeguard jobs at Alexander Dennis'. He said: 'This gives us the chance to pool our buying power, create a clear pipeline of work for an outstanding Scottish workforce and their supply chains, and underpin greener, more affordable transport networks that communities can rely on.'
Time Out
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Parklife 2025: ultimate guide to line-up, stage times, tickets and dates
Parklife is one of the UK's finest festivals (according to Time Out). It's hosted the likes of Wu Tang Clan, Liam Gallagher and Snoop Dogg in years gone by, so naturally, this year's bill features even more of the planet's biggest stars. The Manchester festival kicks off this weekend, with performances spanning multiple genres, from '90s hiphop to electronic, pop and dubstep. And if you're feeling spontaneous, there are still plenty of tickets to get your hands on. Here's everything you need to know ahead of Parklife 2025. When is Parklife 2025? Parklife is happening on June 14 and June 15. Gates open at 12pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday, finishing at 11pm. Where is Parklife 2025 and how do I get there? As always, the festival is taking place at Manchester's Heaton Park. The best way to get there is to hop on the dedicated shuttle bus, which goes from Lever Street in the city centre every 10 minutes, dropping punters right outside the festival site. The journey takes around 30 minutes. At the end of each day, it'll begin picking people up from the site at 6.30pm and keep running until the site is clear. There are also the trams from Manchester Victoria to Heaton Park which run every six minutes, with the journey lasting 15 minutes. If you download the Bee Network app, you can purchase the Parklife Travel Pass for £8 a day (or £14.85 for the weekend), which will let you get on any bus or tram service in Greater Manchester to get to and from the event. Who are the headliners for Parklife 2025? On Saturday night, the headline slot belongs to rapper 50 Cent. Then on Sunday, Charli xcx tops the bill. What's the full Parklife lineup and set times? Saturday The Valley 12pm-2.15pm: Rich Reason & Yami 2.15pm-2.45pm: JD Cliffe 3.15pm-4pm: Antony Szmierek 4.30pm-5pm: Flo 5.45pm-6.45pm: Rudimental 7.45pm-8.30pm: Jorja Smith 9.30pm-10.45pm: 50 Cent The Hangar 2pm-1.45pm: Nautica 1.45pm-3.30pm: Joëlla Jackson 3.30pm-5pm: Obskür 5pm-6.30pm: Rossi 6.30pm-8pm: Max Dean 8pm-9.30pm: Mochakk 9.30pm-11pm: PAWSA Matinee 12pm-1pm: Leaha 1pm-2.20pm: Faster Horses 2.20pm-3.40pm: sim0ne 3.40pm-5pm: MALUGI 5pm-6.30pm: Interplanetary Criminal 6.30pm-8pm: KI/KI 8pm-9.30pm: Partiboi69 9.30pm-11pm: Alex Farell Magic Sky 12pm-1.30pm: Niamh 1.30pm-3pm: Inafekt 3pm-4.30pm: Beccs Vernon 4.30pm-6.15pm: Kyle Starkey 6.15pm-8pm: Morgan Seatree 8pm-9.30pm Steve Angello Big Top 12:00 - 13:45: Hold Tight DJs 13:45 - 14:45: Saint Ludo 14:45 - 15:45: Champion 15:45 - 16:45: Surusinghe 16:45 - 17:45: 4am Kru 17:45 - 18:45: Y U QT 18:45 - 19:45: Skream & Benga 19:45 - 20:45: Joy Orbison 20:45 - 21:45: NOTION 22:00 - 23:00: salute presents True Vision G Stage 12:00 - 13:20: OBP (Jelsen b2b Stocked Up b2b Simmo) 13:20 - 14:40: Murphy's Law 14:40 - 16:00: Enzo Is Burning 16:00 - 17:20: L.P. Rhythm 17:20 - 18:40: Paige Tomlinson 18:40 - 20:00: Chaos In The CBD 20:00 - 21:30: Luuk Van Dijk 21:30 - 23:00: Sally C Jägermeister 12pm–1.30pm: Ned Spencer 1.30pm–2.30pm: Dave Cooper 2.30pm–3.30pm: DJ Ironik 3.30pm–4.30pm: Just Yas 4.30pm–5.30pm: Majestic 5.30pm–6.30pm: Joe Lobel 6.30pm–7.30pm: Beyond Chicago 7.30pm–8.30pm: Charlie Powell 9.15pm–10pm: Yemz Captain Morgan 12pm–2pm: Shimrise 2pm–4pm: JJESS 4pm–6pm: VNEE 6pm–8pm: Arthi 8pm–10pm: Just Jane Sunday The Valley 1pm-2pm: Gina Breeze 2pm-3pm: Jodie Harsh 3.30pm-4.15pm: Marc Rebillet 4.30pm-5.30pm: Girls Don't Sync 6pm-6.45pm: Confidence Man 7.15pm-8.45pm: Peggy Gou 9.30pm-10.45pm: Charli xcx The Hangar 1pm-2.10pm: Krysko 2.10pm-3.30pm: Aletha 3.30pm-4.50pm: DJ Gigola 4.50pm-6.10pm Ewan McVicar 6.10pm-7.30pm: DJ HEARTSTRING 8pm-9pm: Overmono 9.30pm-11pm: BICEP presents CHROMA (AV/DJ Set) Matinee 1pm-2.20pm: PACH 2.20pm-3.40pm: Mella Dee 3.40pm-5pm: Chloé Caillet 5pm-6.30pm: Prospa 6.30pm-8pm: Josh Baker 8pm-11pm: Chris Stussy Magic Sky 1pm-1.45pm: North Base b2b Mark XTC 1.45pm-2.35pm: Harriet Jaxxon (w/ Jolie P) 2.35pm-3.25pm: A Little Sound 3.25pm-4.15pm: Basslayerz 4.15pm-5.10pm: Hedex (w/ Eksman) 5.10pm-6.05pm: Motionz (w/ IC3) 6.05pm-7pm: Bou (w/ B Live 247) 7pm-7.55pm: Hybrid Minds (w/ Tempza) 7.55pm-8.50pm: Sota (w/ Carasel) 8.50pm-9.45pm: Andy C (w/ Tonn Piper) Big Top 1pm–2pm: Urbi 2pm–3.15pm: Mix-Stress 3.15pm–4.30pm: D.O.D 4.30pm–5.45pm: Fish56Octagon 5.45pm–7pm: Paul Woolford 7pm–8.15pm: Sam Divine 8.15pm–9.30pm: Mau P 9.30pm–10.45pm: Armand Van Helden G Stage 1pm–2pm: Larishka b2b Butchaboi 2pm–3pm: Rich Reason (w/ Fox) 3pm–4pm: Miley Serious (w/ Truthos) 4pm–5pm: Club Angel 5pm–6pm: Diffrent b2b Shuffa (w/ Riko Dan) 6pm–7pm: Ghoulish (w/ T-Man) 7pm–8pm: Conducta 8pm–9pm: Todd Edwards (w/ Chunky) 9pm–10pm: Oppidan 10pm–11pm: BAKEY (w/ Strategy) Jägermeister 1pm–2pm: PHIA 2pm–2.45pm: Adele 2.45pm–3.30pm: Sham Steele 3.30pm–4.15pm: Readee 4.15pm–5pm: Sha Dev 5pm–6pm: Cash Only 6pm–6.30pm: Local 6.30pm–7.30pm: G2 7.30pm–8.30pm: Alex Mills 8.30pm–9.15pm: CJ Beatz 9.15pm–10pm: Sam Supplier Captain Morgan 1pm–2pm: Selectacee 2pm–4pm: Fliss Mayo 4pm–6pm: 6pm–8pm: ESC 8pm–10pm: Gracie T Can I still buy tickets for Parklife Festival 2025? You sure as hell can. Full weekend tickets are still up for grabs for £164.45, and Saturday or Sunday only tickets are on sale for £97.70. There are also VIP packages still available from £140. You can get your last-minute ticket here. When is last entry? Don't be dilly-dallying. Parklife says last entry on each day is 'strictly' 5pm. After that you won't be let through. You also won't be allowed to leave and re-enter – once you're in, you're in. Full list of banned items It goes without saying – you can't bring any illegal like drugs, explosives or sharp weapons into the festival. There's a long list of other stuff you won't be able to take past the gates either. Here it is in full: No alcohol or liquids of any kind No drugs including 'legal highs' or Nitrous Oxide. No knives or weapons No EPOS machines No aerosols, sprays or pressurised containers permitted No flag poles No balloons No camp chairs/stools No clothing, garments or items which promote cultural appropriation No glass Compact umbrellas permitted, no golf umbrellas Admission is subject to search No under 17's – 17 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible guardian aged 18 or over. (Maximum of 4 under 18's per responsible guardian). No food No perfumes or aftershaves No dogs No flares or fireworks No bikes No re-entry No drink of any kind [empty plastic refillable bottle are allowed – up to 500ml, no metal bottles, free water points are located across the festival. Water bags/rucksacks are not permitted] Sun cream or lotion sized at 200ml or less in original containers, vape liquid, and eye drops in standard plastic 10ml containers will be allowed but contents may be tested on arrival No laser pens or pointers No professional cameras, including professional camera equipment (e.g. camera stand, lenses, and selfie sticks) No audio recording equipment, noise-making devices No skateboards and rollerblades, hover-boards, scooters, bicycles, and other personal motorized and non-motorized vehicles No unauthorised solicitation or marketing materials (e.g., handbills, flyers, stickers) No drones or unmanned aerial systems No unofficial tabards and reflective hi vis jackets No rucksacks or large bags. Small bags, that are not rucksacks, are allowed into the festival with the dimensions W21cm x H30CM x D8cm. This is A4 Size. No Selfie-Sticks Filming and photography in the gate areas is not allowed. Weather forecast We hate to say it, but there is some rain on the cards. The Met Office says that that there's a high chance of rain in Greater Manchester on Saturday from 7am all the way through to 5pm. Sunday's looking a little better with rain only forecast around 1pm. Temperatures are predicted to range from 15C to 20C.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Metrolink disruption as points failure means trams not calling at key stop
Metrolink services are facing disruption meaning that some trams will not be calling at a key stop. Tram services towards Manchester will not be calling at MediaCityUK 'until further notice', Transport for Greater Manchester says. The disruption, which has been caused by a points failure, has been affecting services since the start of this morning (June 14). READ MORE: 'I see mums who can't afford to feed their children - how can they afford this?' READ MORE: A rapist on the run, the 'racial prejudice' that saw the case collapse and a jury room bust-up - what can now be revealed about the Rochdale grooming trial Passengers travelling on the line from Eccles to Ashton-Under-Lyne have been told to use Harbour City or Broadway instead. In a post on X, the Bee Network wrote: "Due to a points fault, tram services towards Manchester will not call at MediaCityUK. "Please use Harbour City or Broadway to complete your journey. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused." Elsewhere on the network, there will be changes to services operating on several lines due to events such as Parklife taking place. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Swinney 'deeply concerned' over bus firm job cuts
The first minister has said the Scottish government will do "everything it can" to support workers at bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis. John Swinney said he was "deeply concerned" the firm was planning to move its full operation to a site in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, putting 400 jobs at factories in Falkirk and Larbert at risk. However, he faced criticism from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who claimed his government had ordered more buses from China than it had from the firm. Swinney said most bus ordering decisions in Scotland were made by private operators, and the government had to comply with state subsidy rules in the way it supported businesses. At First Minister's Questions Swinney said: "This issue has been occupying a great deal of the focus and the attention of the deputy first minister and I and the UK government ministers since we became aware of the situation over the last few weeks, and then ultimately to the decision that was announced yesterday." He quoted a joint letter from the UK and Scottish governments, which pledged to "work closely with Alexander Dennis at this challenging time". Up to 400 jobs at risk at Scottish bus maker Alexander Dennis Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis warns of 160 jobs at risk Alexander Dennis (ADL) cited strong competition from the China, which has seen its market share grow from 10% to 35%, among its reasons for the move. The firm also criticised UK policy, and called for jobs and local economic benefit to be factored in when taxpayers money is invested. Earlier Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham pointed to an order of 160 ADL buses for the publicly-owned "Bee Network" in the city, and questioned why the Scottish government could not do the same. In a statement, Burnham - who has previously visited the Falkirk site - said: "Our iconic Bee Network buses are a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester. "We have over 160 Alexander Dennis buses criss-crossing our city-region every day - connecting our communities to opportunity. "If Greater Manchester can invest in world-class Scottish bus manufacturing, then why can't the SNP Scottish government?" Sarwar claimed the Scottish government had secured just 44 buses from ADL as part of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) scheme last year. The fund was initially established in 2022 to "disrupt the bus and coach market" and allow operators the chance to make the move to zero-emission vehicles. Sarwar said that number was "five times" less than the number of buses ordered by Greater Manchester. However, that figure only covered the second phase of the rollout. The first phase, in which 276 buses were procured at a cost of about £62m, saw 137 buses ordered from ADL. An additional 116 buses were ordered from Chinese manufacturer Yutong, while the rest were built in the UK, Ireland and Europe. ScotZEBs predecessor, known as the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, also saw 207 electric buses ordered from ADL by operators between September 2020 and March 2021. Swinney said state aid regulations - in the form of the UK-wide Subsidy Control Act - prevented the government from directly procuring from a single supplier. In Scotland, most public service buses are procured by private operators, who then run them on routes across the country. Swinney said: "What I am doing, what the deputy first minister is doing, is how can we find a way in which we can remain legally compliant with the Subsidy Control Act and enable these obstacles to be overcome? "We are going to do everything we can to find a way through the Subsidy Control Act provision, so the government can continue to work within the law, and so we can support manufacturing in Scotland."
North Wales Chronicle
12-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Burnham presses Scottish Government on Alexander Dennis factory closure
The bus manufacturer announced on Wednesday it is proposing to consolidate its UK operations at a single site in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The decision puts 400 jobs at risk at its facility in Falkirk in another blow to the Forth Valley, which has already seen more than 400 jobs go at the Grangemouth refinery this year. Following the announcement, Mr Burnham pointed to the purchase of 160 buses from the manufacturer for Greater Manchester's Bee Network, while the Scottish Government ordered 44. The order from the Scottish Government was made as part of the second phase of the green bus initiative ScotZEB. In the first phase, the Government funded the building of 137 buses, according to a press release from the bus firm at the time, meaning a total of 181 have been ordered since 2022. Mr Burnham said: 'Our iconic Bee Network buses are a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester. 'We have over 160 Alexander Dennis buses criss-crossing our city-region every day – connecting our communities to opportunity. 'If Greater Manchester can invest in world-class Scottish bus manufacturing, then why can't the SNP Scottish Government? 'Meeting the ADL (Alexander Dennis) staff in Falkirk who have helped us to make the Bee Network a reality is always a pleasure and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the closure is a result of Holyrood ministers 'once again overlooking Scottish industry', as he pointed to the award of a contract to build ferries being given to a shipyardyard in Turkey. 'Alexander Dennis buses are already serving passengers successfully across Greater Manchester, yet SNP ministers appear unwilling to give their full backing to the company for the benefit of people here,' Mr Sarwar said. 'John Swinney promised this scheme (ScotZEB) would 'open up new economic opportunities', but he has failed to turn those words into action. 'If the First Minister is serious about boosting Scotland's economy and supporting workers, he should start by investing in Scottish workers.' The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.
