Manchester sees biggest rise in living standards in boost for Burnham

The Independent describes its journalism mission as separating facts from messaging and sending reporters to cover major issues across the political spectrum without paywalls. It highlights work ranging from reproductive rights and climate change to investigations involving Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC and a documentary on American women fighting for reproductive rights. The piece then reports findings from the Centre for Cities that Manchester reduced the share of deprived inner-city neighbourhoods by 17 percentage points from 2010 to 2025. Nationally, the share of central city neighbourhoods in the most disadvantaged 20% fell from 38% to 31%, driven largely by Manchester, Liverpool, and London. In Manchester, 58.4% of neighbourhoods around the city centre were among the most underprivileged in 2025, down from 75.7% in 2010. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor, is seeking a return to parliament and promoting “Manchesterism” politics.

"The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story."

"The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Manchester has seen the biggest boost to inner-city living standards anywhere in the UK since 2010, providing a boost to Andy Burnham as he seeks a return to parliament."

"Analysis from the independent think tank Centre for Cities has found that Manchester reduced its share of deprived inner-city neighbourhoods by 17 percentage points from 2010 to 2025. Nationally, the proportion of all central city neighbourhoods ranking among the 20 per cent most disadvantaged areas fell by seven percentage points from 38 to 31 per cent, largely driven by Manchester, Liverpool and London. Within Manchester, 58.4 per cent of neighbourhoods in and around the city centre ranked among the most underprivileged in 2025, down from 75.7 per cent in 2010 a fall of 17.3 percentage points."

"It is welcome news for Andy Burnham as the Greater Manchester mayor hopes to return to Westminster in the Makerfield by-election. If he is elected, he is expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership through a brand of politics he calls Manchesterism. Andy Burnham describes Manchesterism' as the end of trickle-do"

Read at www.independent.co.uk