Friday High Five – what’s been in the news

The new government has wasted little time in getting to grip with some of the issues behind the stories that have preoccupied us over the last couple of years.

However, it’s fair to say that each one prompts a follow on question.

You just can’t see the West Cumbria coal mine happening can you? But what is the economic vision for West Cumbria beyond nuclear energy and this project?

The talk has been tough to the water companies, but the staggering amounts of investment needed to prevent further sewage spills needs to be funded privately, and no-one will do that if it’s not an investable proposition.

The appointment of James Timpson as prisons minister was widely hailed as an inspired move. Anyone who has been with him on a visit to a prison, as I have, or heard him speak about the flaws in the justice system, will attest, his knowledge and judgement is bold.

However, the early release of thousands of prisoners to ease the system will put another strain on the housing and probation system.  

The story about Manchester’s United’s widening losses and their stretched finances also reminds us that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is going to be making a big ask of the government and Andy Burnham over redeveloping Old Trafford.  

It’s been an extraordinary couple of years to be a journalist covering the regions.

Government press releases were deeply cynical exercises in crude electioneering. Staged announcements of ‘levelling up’ projects were gimmicky and were frankly a waste of millions of pounds of public money.

You felt gaslighted by the blatant mendacity of what they were punting.

It’s weird that a bit of straight talking and genuine ambition has shifted the mood within a week.

I’ve known Angela Rayner for 10 years and it has been incredible to witness her journey to such heights. In the week where three Stockport lads played such a huge role in England’s win over the Netherlands, that a girl from Bridgehall has made it so far is inspirational.

Let’s hope that the Stockport secret sauce does its magic on Sunday too.