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ITV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Campaigners raise concerns over delays to the Hillsborough Law
ITV Granada's political correspondent Lise McNally looks into concerns surrounding the Hillsborough Law. Campaigners fear the proposed Hillsborough Law aimed at combatting establishment cover-ups is in danger of being watered Government promised to pass the law before the latest anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster in April but there is still no sign of it coming before Parliament. Those who support the Bill say it is about much more than the legacy of Hillsborough - they say it's to protect all victims of avoidable harm, like the Infected Blood and Post Office scandals, Grenfell and grooming gangs. Campaigners say to be a true legacy for the '97, the Hillsborough law must contain three basic principles, to protect the public if they're caught up in any disasters where the state could try to cover up its mistakes. Duty of Candour - This would compel public bodies and their employees to tell the truth in any inquiry and actively provide evidence and assistance. Criminal Sanctions - Those found to have lied about wrongdoing must face criminal sanctions. Parity of Funding - Bereaved families should be given parity of funding, so they can afford the same quality of lawyers as the public authorities they need to challenge. It is believed that how these could work in practice have caused disagreements and delays in Whitehall. The MP for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne fears the Hillsborough Law will be watered down. The MP for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne was at Hillsborough on the day of the disaster. He is very worried that when the law finally does appear - it won't go far enough. "It's going to be a piece of legislation which changes the culture of cover ups and changes the very fabric within this country. "We cannot allow a continuation of the betrayal of the Hillsborough families and survivors in my city, if this isn't delivered." Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall told the Prime Minister to "do the right thing." Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall lost her son James in the disaster, she says any watering down of the law would be a disgrace. "We had to go campaigning to raise funds as well, trying to get over your loss. "You'll never get over that. We can't bring them back. "But to deal with the media, to campaign for funding, to beg for the release of all documentation, and not get it. We had all that to face. "Do I want other people, the ordinary people to face that ever again? No. Things have got to change. "So if we can do anything to change that system, my jobs is done. That is my job completely finished. "I thought it was finished at the second inquest, if we got accountability, never realised, my job is still not done. "And I've told Mr Starmer, it won't be done and I will never rest in peace until we have Hillsborough in all its entirety, for the good of this nation." Today the Deputy Prime Minister claimed the government 'remains fully committed' to introducing a Hillsborough Law with work 'at pace' to get it right. During Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon, Deputy PM Angela Rayner, said legislation would be brought forward 'as soon as we're confident they will deliver the justice victims deserve.' She was questioned on the delay by Anneliese Midgley, Labour MP for Knowsley. She said: ''Last Saturday marked eight years since Grenfell, eight years fighting for justice. The Hillsborough families, including Margaret Aspinall, from Huyton, have campaigned for 36 years for the Hillsborough law, decades. 'Can the Deputy Prime Minister tell me today will this Labour government bring forward the Hillsborough law without delay? Will it honour promises made to victims of state cover-ups and will it finally deliver justice for the 97?' Ms Rayner said: 'I thank my honourable friend for her question and the work with campaigners like Margaret in their fight for justice. We remain fully committed to bringing a Hillsborough Law. 'The state has failed victims and their families too many times in the past and that is precisely why our focus is on getting the legislation right. "I can assure her measures will be brought forward as soon as we're confident they will deliver the justice victims deserve and we want to do this at pace.' Until the legislation is laid down before Parliament, the legacy of the Hillsborough disaster remains up in the air.
ITV News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Young Oldham filmmaker produces short film based on his childhood in care starring Corrie actor
ITV Granada's Entertainment Correspondent talks to new filmmaker Saleem Miah about his film 'Spice for Life' A young filmmaker from Oldham has produced his very first short film starring a Coronation Street actor. Saleem Miah's film 'Spice for life' is based it on his own experience of growing up in the foster care system. His film, which is shot entirely in the North West, stars Coronation street actor Adam Hussain and Hollyoaks actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter. The film is about a care worker who fails to bond with her foster son until they connect over cooking. Saleem wrote, produced and directed the film which is being screened as part of Manchester Metropolitan University's 2025 Filmmaking cohort. Saleem said: "I grew up in foster care myself, I moved about quite a lot. I grew up in Oldham, and I was placed with a lot of white families, which I think is quite like a unique, interesting. upbringing. "I've always wanted to make a film about it. The story it's fictional, but a lot of the scenes in it I have kind of got from my own life, really. "But I've been really lucky in the sense that I've met people along the way that have supported me." He added: "I feel like people have assumptions, don't they, and they sort of assume that kids and care face, you're not very smart or, like, you're a troublemaker, you're not ambitious. "I've always wanted to be an example of someone that doesn't sort of fit those stereotypes and it just proving that we can be just as good as anyone else at something and we can live through it like really good lives." Saleem is a third year Filmmaking student from Manchester and is also a recipient of the RTS Beryl Vertue Scholarship, supported by Hartswood Films bosses Sue and Debbie Vertue, who mentor him. He began his journey into the industry through a local BFI talent development scheme, going on to gain a place on the NFTS Film Academy. The young filmaker is keen to dedicate his career to getting underrepresented voices on screen.
ITV News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Manchester to get the UK's tallest building outside of London
ITV Granada's Emma Sweeney reports on plans to build two new skyscrapers in Manchester City centre. Manchester planners have given the go-ahead for the UK's tallest skyscraper outside of London to be built in the city centre. The 76-storey 'Viadux 2' tower will stand at 246m high, which is roughly the height of 12 double decker buses. It will be home to Robert De Niro's luxury hotel and restaurant chain, Nobu, and also house 452 apartments. Manchester City Council also gave the green light for a second skyscraper nearby. But music venue, Rebellion, on Whitworth Street, says it'll be sandwiched between the two. Co-owner Alex Kostayakov says he fears complaints from new residents could impact the business: "At the very worst, we get closed down after noise complaints, and that prohibits our ability to put bands on and give them a performance base." Rebellion puts on around 220 events each year. The two skyscrapers were given approval last month, but the proposals had to go back before planners after the venue said they weren't properly consulted. Jay Taylor from the Music Venue Trust says: "Plans have proceeded for both these developments without engaging in any meaningful way with the operators of the venue, so no conversations have been had about noise, about operational choices, about footfall, about how their customers come and go. There's been no consideration to that at all." But today, concerns around the developments were considered as councillors reassessed the planning proposals and the plan was approved for a second time, as Alex Kostayakov watched on: "As a young person living in Manchester, I totally understand the need for new housing." He went on to say: "We'll have our door open, and we hope the developers talk to us." "We want to be amicable, we want to work with them, we want to co-exist alongside them, but that only works if they talk to us."
ITV News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Excitement builds in Bilbao ahead of Manchester United's game with Spurs in the Europa League final
Video report by ITV Granada sports correspondent Chris Hall. It's a huge night for Manchester United as they face Tottenham in the final of the Europa League. Thousands of United supporters have headed over to the Spanish city of Bilbao. After a Premier League season to forget Manchester United are hoping for a Europa League campaign to remember. Despite their club's domestic difficulties fans have travelled in their thousands to be here for the final. The San Mames stadium in Bilboa is once again hosting United supporters who are enjoying a second sitting of it's cuisine and culture just three weeks after they were there for the first leg of their Europa League semi final with local side Athletic Club. It has a capacity of 53,000, with both United and their opponents fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur receiving an allocation of 15,000 each. At their official fan park, United fans have been soaking up the pre match atmosphere with some well known faces. Wayne Rooney talks to ITV Granada's David Chisnall in Bilbao. Former United striker Wayne Rooney says a win tonight is vital: "If you win this , you end the season with a European trophy and get back to the Champions and I'm sure that would be very important in bringing players in the summer as well. "So I think it's a huge game for both teams and whoever wins it, you know could say they've actually finished the season in not a bad position, whoever loses it, I think it's a nightmare season for them." Harry Maguire says the team are motivated to win the final for the fans, he said: "They've been absolutely incredible. It is surprising as players how much they are backing us. "We've disappointed them far too much. I'd say they're the greatest fans in the world. They deserve it and we deserve to go and win the first final and give them that day out." Manchester United have secured just six Premier League victories since Ruben Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag in November, but their impressive unbeaten run in the Europa League has kept their campaign alive. 'Nothing is going to change our season,' he said on the impact of the glory in Spain. 'Players know, everybody knows the stuff, the fans know. 'But winning a European title can help us to have that feeling that can help us to build (for) the future.'
ITV News
07-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Police were called after disability campaigners were refused entry to consultation on benefit reform
ITV Granada's Elaine Willcox reports on protests in Manchester over government plans to reform PIP benefits. Protests have taken place at a meeting in Manchester to discuss government proposals on benefits reform. Protestors gathered at Angel Meadow Park in the city centre this morning at the invite-only consultation on the DWP Green paper on Pathways to Work. The organisation Disabled People Against Cuts organised the protest at the meeting over fears that benefits for disabled people will be cut back, at a time when the cost of living is on the rise. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced the cuts earlier this year, mostly from a reduction in support for those on incapacity or disability benefits. Three million people are expected to be impacted by the savings. Musician Dennis Queen relies on Personal Independence Payments and says, "The question is 'Can any of you afford to lose a third of your income?' The answer to which is 'no'." "They don't need to come round the country, holding meetings, asking anyone 'Can you afford to lose a big chunk of your income'." Protestors were unable to get into the meeting and police were called. It's understood that just 20 tickets were issued to the meeting and dozens of disabled people were turned away, which Amnesty International, who attended the protest, labelled a violation of people's rights. Amnesty's Jen Clark says, "Look at what's happening today, they're asking to be let in and have a say, and they're being refused entry." "You know this isn't OK." "We've written to the Secretary of State alongside them saying exactly that." But the government say they need to save £5 billion, pledging support but saying that the system as it is, can't continue. "When it relates to sickness benefit for Universal Credit and PIP, where almost one in ten people are receiving it, we've got to make sure that it's going to the people who really need it and deserve it more," says Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds. He adds, "So it is difficult, but we've got to look at how that system is working because it's not sustainable at the minute."
