Oldham set for £3m airport windfall

OLDHAM Council has outlined its spending plans for a £3million dividend from its share in Manchester Airport.

Council leader Jim McMahon has welcomed the windfall, which overall gives the 10 local borough councils a share of £60million - £3million each, plus £33 million for largest shareholder Manchester City Council.

Councillor McMahon said: “Our investment in the Manchester Airport Group and recent decision to invest in London Stansted is paying real dividends for the residents of Oldham.”

The council uses part of the annual dividend to fund essential services, but any surplus goes into “making a difference people can see”.

This year £1million of the money will be used to boost the educational chances of the young identified by Oldham’s Education and Skills Commission.