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Poll Tax bill 22 years overdue

Woman chased for outstanding Poll Tax bill

it's 20 years ago this year since the controversial community charge which became known as the poll tax - was abolished.

Yet amazingly many councils are still chasing residents for back payments.

Liverpool City Council is still owed millions of pounds of poll tax and says it has a legal duty to collect all the outstanding cash.

But many of the people they're targeting say they still can't afford to pay.

This from our Political Reporter Daniel Hewitt:

Poll Tax bill 22 years overdue

Poll Tax bill 22 years overdue

A woman from Liverpool has spoken of her shock after receiving an outstanding Poll Tax bill dating back 22 years.

Janet Bell received the charge for one hundred and 14 pounds in the same week as the death of Margaret Thatcher, who introduced the unpopular Community Charge in 1990.

Liverpool City Council is still owed £15 million in unpaid poll tax, and says it's only right that people pay what they owe.

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Football brings as much money to Manchester as the Olympics

Manchester CIty and Manchester United scarves Credit: PA

Football in Greater Manchester brings in as much money as the Olympic games every 4 seasons according to a report.

The Sport Industry Research Centre and Cambridge Econometrics who carried out the research says football contributed around £330 million in gross value added (GVA) to Greater Manchester’s economy in 2010-11.

The researchers say if the Manchester United and Manchester City continue to perform as well in the next 20 years it could be worth more than 2.5 billion pounds to the area.

Manchester Central MP to lead childcare debate

Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell Credit: Press Association

Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell will lead a debate in Parliament today against the growing cost of childcare.

Britain is said to be the second most expensive country in the developed world for childcare, with families spending on average a quarter of their earnings on it.

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Seven Britannia branches to close in the North West

The Co-operative Bank today announced plans to close 37 branches, including seven in the North West.

The Co-operative Bank today announced plans to close 37 branches, including seven in the North West. Credit: Press Association

The company will roll out a rebrand that will see the Britannia name disappear from the high street.

The North West branches are:

Crewe, Nantwich Rd - Britannia

Alderley Edge - Britannia

Preston - Britannia

Stockport - Britannia

Warrington - Britannia

Wigan - Britannia

Macclesfield - Co-operative

Branches are being shut where there is another close by - on average within half a mile and in some cases next door to each other - as part of an overhaul following its merger with Britannia building society in 2009.

But the group stressed a presence will be kept in towns and cities where branches are being closed.

The move will lead to 34 job losses, largely at a managerial level, while the bulk of the 188 staff employed across affected banks are being relocated to neighbouring branches.

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