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Solving parents' cost of living crisis? Manchester MP pledges free childcare if Labour wins next election
Serious Bolton crash involving two cars 'travelling at speed' hospitalises teenage passenger
Serious Bolton crash involving two cars 'travelling at speed' hospitalises teenage passenger
Tuesday Team Talk: England shouldn’t waste their time playing lesser teams like Scotland – we need a challenge
Tuesday 13 August 2013
When England meet Scotland on Wednesday at Wembley, England’s team will boast world class internationals like Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole who play for Premiership heavyweights Manchester United and Chelsea.
In contrast, Scotland have 12 players out of their 29 man squad not playing top flight football.
Even those Scottish players who play top-flight football shouldn’t pose much of a threat to England.
No disrespect to Norwich winger Robert Snodgrass or Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kenny Miller but, with Ashley Cole’s pace and sound defending, he should not be severely tested by them.
It is more likely that the England attacking line up will give the Scottish defence a torrid time. Wayne Rooney’s ability coupled with Danny Welbeck’s pace mean that England should create ample scoring opportunities against the Scots.
Instead of meaningless friendlies like these England should only play matches against the top 30 teams in FIFA’s official rankings.
Playing Scotland, who are ranked 50th – 36 places below England and have failed to qualify for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup – tells Roy Hodgson nothing about his side’s ability to compete with the world’s best players.
Previous international friendlies against top quality opponents have been a better measure of England’s progress, or lack of it.
When England played Brazil at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, in June this year, they fell behind to a goal by forward Fred, but took the lead thanks to goals by Rooney and Arsenal teenage winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, only to concede an 82nd minute goal to Paulinho. England learned that, while they spent large portions of the game under pressure, they could compete with the five-time world champions on their own ground.
The Three Lions also learned that they must continue working on their concentration late-on in games to ensure that they do not concede last minute goals in the knockout stages of tournaments that could abruptly halt English progress and lead to further national pain.
The lessons learned in Brazil will hold England in the good stead for playing in hot temperatures against top opposition should they qualify for next year’s World Cup.
Equally, Sweden’s 4-2 demolition of England in Stockholm in November 2012 with a four-goal haul by Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a brutal lesson.
When playing very organised teams like the Swedes they need a deliberate strategy to prevent the ball being delivered to the opposition’s most creative outlets.
World and European champions Spain are also guilty of the same inept organisation.
Their 5-1 thrashing of 40th ranked Panama in November 2012 will have taught them very little and could only serve to massage the egos of the Spaniards.
Furthermore, the match would not have been much use for Panama.
If teams want to improve then they need to play in competitive matches. Getting thrashed by the world champions is not competitive.
When Spain and England met in November 2011 the Three Lions came out on top 1-0.
This match offered both teams the opportunity to scout potential rivals and refine their systems in an even match-up.
I recognise that this is an elitist viewpoint that would pit the world’s best teams against each other, but weaker ones should improve their qualifying records before they are thrown into the deep end unrealistically challenging considerably superior opposition.
If England are serious about ending 47 years of hurt, then they must consistently test themselves against World Cup and European Championship contenders like the Brazil’s and Spain’s of this world and less against the Scotland’s.
Only then will they know to what extent they can compete against them and the progress they must make to match their level.
It might make us feel nostalgic to revive the Anglo-Scot rivalry and thrash the Scots, but I would rather choose silverware over nostalgia any day of the week.
END
Comment: Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid is huge mistake – Old Trafford would give him the silverware
Wednesday 28 August 2013
Gareth Bale could be on his way to Real Madrid for a sensational £86million within days – yet if there is an offer on the table from Manchester United, he’d be a fool not to head to Old Trafford.
It is understandable for any footballer to seize an opportunity to play alongside the world’s most gifted players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, but Real Madrid’s appeal is not what it was.
The club has failed to clinch the European Cup since 2002 and came home trophy-less last season. Adding salt to the wound, arch-rivals Barcelona comprehensively beat them by 15 points to regain the La Liga title.
Madrid also failed to win the consolidation prize of the Copa del Rey after a shock 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Bale has a higher likelihood of challenging for domestic and European honours at United – just look at their track record.
And United will be hungrier than ever to regain the Premier League after last season’s record breaking 20th title, not to mention trying to prove it wasn’t quite all down to Sir Alex.
With a bit of luck, the Red Devils are capable of winning the Champions League this season. They could have beaten Madrid in the last 16 of the competition and gone on to win the final, had it not been for a wayward decision seeing Nani sent off.
He could end up being another Galáctico in a team of Galácticos, where the team is not built around him – which spoiled him at Tottenham Hotspur.
Midfielder Luka Modrić and striker Karem Benzema are examples of leading players at their former clubs Tottenham and Lyon who now seem average squad players in a team with superstars like Ronaldo and Kaká.
Their futures might lie elsewhere after being linked with moves to Manchester United and Arsenal this summer.
Whereas at United, Bale would be a guaranteed starter on the left-wing, providing an much-needed boost into the Red’s flagging midfield, no doubt becoming an indispensable member of the first-team alongside Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
Moving to Madrid will be a huge change for Bale, even if his former team-mate Modrić is at the club to give him a sense of familiarity from back home. He will face a club and country with a different culture than the one he had hitherto experienced.
Former Real Madrid striker Michael Owen painted a less than desirable picture of life off the pitch for an ex-pat in his August Daily Telegraph column.
The Los Blancos provided a hotel for him and his family for five months that was not suited to a young family.
This was compounded by restaurants in Spain not opening until late at night, so his two-year-old daughter was awake until midnight.
Given that Bale has a partner and a young child, finding himself in a situation where his family are unsettled, is something that he should consider when weighing up the merits of moving to a foreign country.
Playing in Manchester would give him the pick of any mansion in Alderley Edge. He would be helped to settle into the club by its seasoned veterans like fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs.
One wonders whether it is sensible for him to move to a club who lack managerial stability.
Since Bale was born in 1989, none of Real’s managers have been in charge for more than four years.
While Moyes is new, he’s likely to still be seen as a long-term prospect, irrespective of how much silverware United haul in.
The board at United will give him the long-term stability that Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed during his 27-year reign despite a disappointing third place finish at the end of the 2003-2004 season.
Will those who follow in the footsteps of Real boss Carlo Ancelotti consider Bale as integral to the squad?
If Bale’s desire is to fulfil a boyhood dream of becoming a Galáctico, with the added bonus of scorching heat that Manchester cannot offer all year, then perhaps he should be looking into flights to Madrid.
But beyond the glittering Santiago Bernabéu, history and weather, and before booking a one-way ticket to the continent, Bale should pause and ask himself: how good is that weather going to be without a mountain of silverware to sit on?
END
Pop stars Sugababes (MKS), Rylan Clark and Misha B to get party started at Manchester Pride 2013
Tuesday 13 August 2013
Pop starlets the Sugababes, now known as MKS, Big Brother star Rylan Clark and X Factor powerhouse Misha B are just some of the acts performing at Manchester Pride 2013.
Brit Award-nominated group The Feeling will launch the eagerly-anticipated event which takes place from August 23 to 26.
This year’s parade theme is Acceptable in the 80s? a recognition of the impact the decade had on the LGBT community, HIV activism and outrageous fashions, giving people plenty of scope to don outrageous costumes.
Manchester Pride Chief Executive, John Stewart said: “We have a great mix of talent for this year’s Big Weekend, ensuring that there is broad appeal.
“Manchester has a fantastic music history and we are proud to host chart artists Misha B, Ren Harvieu and Rowetta, while also being able to showcase local up-and-coming talent to the Manchester Pride audience.”
Manchester’s Pride Fringe features more than 40 musical, drama, film and sporting events.
They include a 9 to 5 musical comedy, based on Dolly Parton’s U.S. number one single 9 to 5 about three office workers who stand up to their sexist boss.
Underground disco operators Horse Meat Disco, Karnival’s resident DJ Tacet and DJ act F__KDUST will spin the decks at the Gaydio Dance Arena.
Shayne Ward, crowned X Factor winner back in 2005, will headline the final day of the Big Weekend event on August 26 in the main arena and will be joined by X Factor BFFs Lucy Spraggan and Rylan Clark.
Sackville Gardens will host to the ever-popular Proms in the Park in the afternoon of August 24 while Pride Patron and former Waterloo Road actress Heather Peace will headline a themed Women’s Stage in the evening.
The culmination of the Big Weekend celebrations is on August 26 at 9.15pm during the poignant George House Trust candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens.
The spiritual heart of the festival sees the area transformed into a sea of flickering candles where people can take a moment to remember those who have succumbed to the HIV virus.
For more information about Manchester Pride visit http://www.manchesterpride.com/
END
It’s no joke now! Manchester duo launch Only Joking Records to release vinyl compilation of city’s fresh artists
Thursday 15 August 2013
Two music enthusiasts determined to spread their love of Manchester musicians have released a vinyl compilation of the city’s established and up-and-coming bands.
J-Wo and Mango Chego launched Only Joking Records in April to produce the vinyl compilation after spotting what they believed was a gap in the market.
The vinyl ‘Manchester Standards’ features two sides, one devoted to seasoned bands and the other focused on emerging DIY garage rock bands such as Former Beliefs and Gnod.
J-Wo said: “Creating an anthology had been talked about by many in Manchester for years, but even though it costs a lot of money we decided to take a risk.
“It was a great feeling when the anthology was released. We were fortunate that many bands got behind it as rejections would have been a problem for us.
“There were ups and downs, but you live and learn and overall we are happy with it.”
Mango Chego added: “It was really exciting to see that all the hard work we put into it had paid off.”
“The sales have exceeded our expectations and we want people listen to it, hope that they think that the music sounds amazing and hope that they give bands exposure for their work.”
Their favourite artists are all on the album, with J-Wo having a soft spot for Gnod in particular.
And the duo have admitted their respect for the X-Factor, with J-Wo defending the talent show from its critics, who brand it as a money-making enterprise producing unoriginal singers to the detriment of real undiscovered talent who have not received the same level of exposure.
J-Wo said: “X-Factor is a great show. It serves its purpose of selecting the best singers, and while it might present a romantic view of them and give you their life story, it also has good entertainment value for viewers.”
They plan to release a second compilation by the end of November 2013 and a third one in spring 2014.
Manchester Standards can be purchased for £10.00 including free hand delivery by emailing onlyjokingrecords (at) gmail (dot) com or ordering online here.
END
Alcohol, drugs and lawsuits with the Man in Black: Son of Johnny Cash’s manager reveals all before Manchester screening
Thursday 15 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
The son of Johnny Cash’s personal manager is revealing all about his estranged father’s life working for the Man in Black – and its effects on his own upbringing – ahead of his new film on the subject.
My Father and the Man in Black is being shown at Manchester’s Cornerhouse on Sunday – and MM caught up with its award-winning director ahead of the screening.
Director Jonathan Holiff created My Father and the Man in Black to explain why his emotionally distant and fiercely driven father Saul Holiff unexpectedly committed suicide on March 17 2005 – without leaving a note.
Holiff also looks at how his father coped with the burden of managing Johnny Cash, one of the most talented musicians of the 20th century.
Holiff told MM: “My father treated like me like one of his clients. He made me sign contracts as a child.
“The film was a unique experience for me to know him while he was alive and after he was born via audio files never intended to be heard.”
After being inundated with calls from journalists after his father’s death, his mother gave him the key to a storage lockage belonging to his father.
Holiff saw an unknown reflective side to his father after discovering more than 600 letters, many handwritten between Saul, Johnny and his wife June Carter Cash, who performed and toured with Johnny for 40 years.
It also included 60 hours of personal audio diaries with Cash recorded in the early 1960s and his problems with prescription drugs such as arrest warrants and mug shots.
Saul had handled the high and low points of Grammy Awards to his divorce with his wife of 13 years Vivian Liberto for indiscretions and substance abuse.
“It was inescapable how tenuous my father’s job was as Cash was up and down so often with court appearances, his addiction with prescription drugs, missing promotions, alcohol abuse and lawsuits.”
But in 1973 at the height of Cash’s career, troubled by alcoholism, Holiff unexpectedly resigned after 13 years after a major argument with June was the final straw.
This was unprecedented as during that era it was unheard of for managers to walk away from lucrative deals with superstars and stars often fired their managers.
“Managers would more readily convert to scientology than to walk away from earning millions of dollars managing a superstar,” Holiff said.
Ultimately, Holiff realised that he learnt more about his father after he died compared to when he was alive and that he was conscious of his shortcomings but struggled to overcome them.
“My father was a brilliant, hard working man with character flaws that were major. He was self-aware, unable to change and consequently a tragic figure.”
My Father and the Man in Black will be screened at Cornerhouse, Oxford Street, Manchester, on Sunday August 18 at 18:20 pm.
To buy tickets go to http://www.cornerhouse.org/film/cinema-listings/my-father-and-the-man-in-black
END
Tuesday Team Talk: Veterans Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard are model pros in pool of Premier League greed
Tuesday 27 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
Today, top level footballers are criticised for earning excessive multi-million pound salaries prematurely without commitment to the game.
But while it is easy to tarnish all players with the same brush, there are one or two guiding lights who kick against the popular perception.
Midfield maestros Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard – who locked horns in last night’s dour 0-0 draw – will undoubtedly play a major role in whether the Premier League title will stay at Old Trafford or return to Stamford Bridge and these are just two who buck the trend.
Welsh wizard Giggs embodies the consistency and stamina that all aspiring footballers should hope for, as the club’s record appearance holder with 944 games to his name over the last 23 years.
Giggs’ achievement is remarkable and is testament to his dedication and passion for the game, given the demanding frequency of domestic and European games Manchester United play.
In the capital, Lampard is a box-to-box player who dispatches penalties with ease and is a venomous free-kick taker that leaves goalkeepers with no chance of saving them.
His 30-yard screamer against Hull City on the opening day of the season was further evidence of Lampard’s ability to change a game with an unexpected moment of brilliance.
Despite being a central midfielder, Lampard has a goal scoring record that most forwards would be proud of.
He has scored an extraordinary 166 goals making him the only midfield player to have scored 150 goals or more in the Premier League and is fourth on the Premier League’s all time top scorers list.
While being a left-winger, whose role means they create more assists and score few goals, Giggs has maintained his record of being the only player to have played and scored in every Premier League season since its inception in 1992.
Giggs’ age has not resulted in or loss in his contribution to the team, even if on occasions he has come off the bench.
The 39-year-old scored crucial goals against Everton and Queens Park Rangers last season to help give the club a record 20th Premiership title.
When media reports in May 2013 suggested that Lampard could leave the club as a free agent as the club was stalling offering him a new contract, he maintained his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge and did not publically criticise the Blues’ hierarchy for their dallying.
Lampard eventually signed a one-year contract extension with the club, which is probably a lesson to all players seeking a new contract to conduct themselves.
For England, Lampard has been an ever-present performer and considered to be one of the team’s best players and matchwinners.
At World Cups and European Championships, Lampard has been the bright light among England’s regular dismal last 16 and quarter-final exits. He was named in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament, scoring three goals in four games.
Giggs and Lampard are model examples of consistency and professionalism that should be examples to aspiring and younger footballers alike.
Both players earn multi-million pound salaries, but on the basis of their service to their clubs Giggs and Lampard are worth every penny.
END
‘I’ll take care of her!’: Olympic swim medallist Steve Parry vows to beat Keri-Anne Payne in Manchester
Saturday 10 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
Confident Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry is promising to ‘take care’ of Olympic silver medallist Keri-Anne Payne when they face off at a fun Manchester swimming challenge.
The unprecedented event at Manchester Aquatics Centre on Saturday September 21 is to encourage people to take up swimming to improve their physical health.
It involves teams of four swimming the first leg of either a 1 kilometre or 500 metre race alongside these Olympians.
Parry believes that there is a swimming Olympic legacy underway that will be sustained over the long-term.
“There is 2.5million more people participating in swimming than before the Olympic Games,” he said.
Sponsor British Gas SwimBritain’s goal is to have 500,000 more people swimming regularly by 2015 and SwimBritain registrants will be offered four free coaching sessions to use in over UK 150 pools.
Parry said: “British Gas SwimBritain is unique. It has never been done before getting friends, family together swim as fast as possible for 1,000 metres.
“I think it is something that families will really enjoy as it does have a competitive element to it.
“We cannot wait for government investment. We need more FTSE 100 companies like British Gas putting time and energy to invest in sports and that will be our Olympic legacy.”
For more information on British Gas SwimBritain Manchester, go to www.swimbritain.co.uk/signup
END
Kidney dialysis patient returning from hospital has rare gold necklace ripped from him in violent daylight robbery
Friday 9 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
A vulnerable Manchester hospital patient returned home from kidney dialysis last week only to be viciously robbed of a £1,500 necklace and beaten on his own doorstep.
The 51-year-old man was returning from Manchester Royal Infirmary when he was assaulted by two men at around 7.15pm on August 2 at his home on Carlton Road, Whalley Range.
After a brief struggle, one of the offenders ripped a rare necklace from the victim with a real tiger tooth covered in gold worth more than £1,500.
The men then attempted to enter the victim’s property but fled after the burglar alarm sounded.
Detective Constable Lisa McGrane said: “This was an absolutely disgusting and cowardly attack on a vulnerable and frail man who needs dialysis treatment three times a week for kidney failure.
“I have no doubt people who are reading or hearing this will be absolutely disgusted and I would implore people to use that sense of anger and indignation to help us catch the despicable offenders responsible for this crime.”
Crucially, one of the robbers asked for the man’s Kara, a Punjabi word for bangle, suggesting that the offender might be of Asian descent.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
END
Midnight movie DEADline: Horror fans given until clock chimes 12 to grasp Grimmfest 2013 early bird tickets
Thursday 8 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
Cult cinema lovers worried that they might miss out on grabbing early bird passes for Manchester’s Grimmfest 2013 can now breathe a sigh of relief.
The deadline for early bird passes was today, but their huge public appeal means that passes can be snapped up until midnight on Friday.
The fifth annual Grimmfest is returning to the city this autumn showcasing all things gore, cult, and horror and sci-fi at the suitably creepy Dancehouse Theatre.
Festival goers will be in for a ghoulish treat with film premieres, special celebrity guests, Q&As and signings with some of the stars of the world of horror throughout the four-day festival.
Kicking off the celebrations with an off-colour homage to their illustrious namesakes, the Brothers Grimm, Grimmfest will be premiering Hansel and Gretel Get Baked.
Early bird passes are now available for a discounted price of £48.50.
If you miss this opportunity, full price tickets will be on sale at the box office next week for £65.00.
To book your early bird passes go to http://grimmfest.com/grimmupnorth/tickets-2013/
END
Suspected burglar who pretended to be ‘thirsty’ before stealing purse also hunted over Stockport rape
Wednesday 7 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
A man who allegedly pretended to be ‘thirsty’ in order to burgle a house is also being hunted in connection with a rape in Stockport last month.
Karl Daniels, 35, from Stockport, allegedly knocked on a house on Hipley Close, Woodley, and asked for a glass of water as a distraction to maliciously steal a purse.
Greater Manchester Police want to speak to Daniels in connection with the rape of a young woman at a house in Hazel Grove, witnesses being threatened and two burglaries in Marple and Romiley.
Superintendent Chris Sykes of Greater Manchester Police said: “Daniels is wanted after a young woman was raped at her home.
“He is also wanted for witness intimidation in relation to the rape as well as numerous burglaries.
“Anyone who sees him should not approach him but call police immediately.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9154 or 101.
END
Alcohol, drugs and lawsuits with the Man in Black: Son of Johnny Cash’s manager reveals all before Manchester screening
Thursday 15 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
The son of Johnny Cash’s personal manager is revealing all about his estranged father’s life working for the Man in Black – and its effects on his own upbringing – ahead of his new film on the subject.
My Father and the Man in Black is being shown at Manchester’s Cornerhouse on Sunday – and MM caught up with its award-winning director ahead of the screening.
Director Jonathan Holiff created My Father and the Man in Black to explain why his emotionally distant and fiercely driven father Saul Holiff unexpectedly committed suicide on March 17 2005 – without leaving a note.
Holiff also looks at how his father coped with the burden of managing Johnny Cash, one of the most talented musicians of the 20th century.
Holiff told MM: “My father treated like me like one of his clients. He made me sign contracts as a child.
“The film was a unique experience for me to know him while he was alive and after he was born via audio files never intended to be heard.”
After being inundated with calls from journalists after his father’s death, his mother gave him the key to a storage lockage belonging to his father.
Holiff saw an unknown reflective side to his father after discovering more than 600 letters, many handwritten between Saul, Johnny and his wife June Carter Cash, who performed and toured with Johnny for 40 years.
It also included 60 hours of personal audio diaries with Cash recorded in the early 1960s and his problems with prescription drugs such as arrest warrants and mug shots.
Saul had handled the high and low points of Grammy Awards to his divorce with his wife of 13 years Vivian Liberto for indiscretions and substance abuse.
“It was inescapable how tenuous my father’s job was as Cash was up and down so often with court appearances, his addiction with prescription drugs, missing promotions, alcohol abuse and lawsuits.”
But in 1973 at the height of Cash’s career, troubled by alcoholism, Holiff unexpectedly resigned after 13 years after a major argument with June was the final straw.
This was unprecedented as during that era it was unheard of for managers to walk away from lucrative deals with superstars and stars often fired their managers.
“Managers would more readily convert to scientology than to walk away from earning millions of dollars managing a superstar,” Holiff said.
Ultimately, Holiff realised that he learnt more about his father after he died compared to when he was alive and that he was conscious of his shortcomings but struggled to overcome them.
“My father was a brilliant, hard working man with character flaws that were major. He was self-aware, unable to change and consequently a tragic figure.”
My Father and the Man in Black will be screened at Cornerhouse, Oxford Street, Manchester, on Sunday August 18 at 18:20 pm.
To buy tickets go to http://www.cornerhouse.org/film/cinema-listings/my-father-and-the-man-in-black
END
Tuesday Team Talk: Veterans Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard are model pros in pool of Premier League greed
Tuesday 27 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
Today, top level footballers are criticised for earning excessive multi-million pound salaries prematurely without commitment to the game.
But while it is easy to tarnish all players with the same brush, there are one or two guiding lights who kick against the popular perception.
Midfield maestros Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard – who locked horns in last night’s dour 0-0 draw – will undoubtedly play a major role in whether the Premier League title will stay at Old Trafford or return to Stamford Bridge and these are just two who buck the trend.
Welsh wizard Giggs embodies the consistency and stamina that all aspiring footballers should hope for, as the club’s record appearance holder with 944 games to his name over the last 23 years.
Giggs’ achievement is remarkable and is testament to his dedication and passion for the game, given the demanding frequency of domestic and European games Manchester United play.
In the capital, Lampard is a box-to-box player who dispatches penalties with ease and is a venomous free-kick taker that leaves goalkeepers with no chance of saving them.
His 30-yard screamer against Hull City on the opening day of the season was further evidence of Lampard’s ability to change a game with an unexpected moment of brilliance.
Despite being a central midfielder, Lampard has a goal scoring record that most forwards would be proud of.
He has scored an extraordinary 166 goals making him the only midfield player to have scored 150 goals or more in the Premier League and is fourth on the Premier League’s all time top scorers list.
While being a left-winger, whose role means they create more assists and score few goals, Giggs has maintained his record of being the only player to have played and scored in every Premier League season since its inception in 1992.
Giggs’ age has not resulted in or loss in his contribution to the team, even if on occasions he has come off the bench.
The 39-year-old scored crucial goals against Everton and Queens Park Rangers last season to help give the club a record 20th Premiership title.
When media reports in May 2013 suggested that Lampard could leave the club as a free agent as the club was stalling offering him a new contract, he maintained his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge and did not publically criticise the Blues’ hierarchy for their dallying.
Lampard eventually signed a one-year contract extension with the club, which is probably a lesson to all players seeking a new contract to conduct themselves.
For England, Lampard has been an ever-present performer and considered to be one of the team’s best players and matchwinners.
At World Cups and European Championships, Lampard has been the bright light among England’s regular dismal last 16 and quarter-final exits. He was named in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament, scoring three goals in four games.
Giggs and Lampard are model examples of consistency and professionalism that should be examples to aspiring and younger footballers alike.
Both players earn multi-million pound salaries, but on the basis of their service to their clubs Giggs and Lampard are worth every penny.
END
‘I’ll take care of her!’: Olympic swim medallist Steve Parry vows to beat Keri-Anne Payne in Manchester
Mancunian Matters
Confident Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry is promising to ‘take care’ of Olympic silver medallist Keri-Anne Payne when they face off at a fun Manchester swimming challenge.
The unprecedented event at Manchester Aquatics Centre on Saturday September 21 is to encourage people to take up swimming to improve their physical health.
It involves teams of four swimming the first leg of either a 1 kilometre or 500 metre race alongside these Olympians.
Parry believes that there is a swimming Olympic legacy underway that will be sustained over the long-term.
“There is 2.5million more people participating in swimming than before the Olympic Games,” he said.
Sponsor British Gas SwimBritain’s goal is to have 500,000 more people swimming regularly by 2015 and SwimBritain registrants will be offered four free coaching sessions to use in over UK 150 pools.
Parry said: “British Gas SwimBritain is unique. It has never been done before getting friends, family together swim as fast as possible for 1,000 metres.
“I think it is something that families will really enjoy as it does have a competitive element to it.
“We cannot wait for government investment. We need more FTSE 100 companies like British Gas putting time and energy to invest in sports and that will be our Olympic legacy.”
For more information on British Gas SwimBritain Manchester, go to www.swimbritain.co.uk/signup
END
Kidney dialysis patient returning from hospital has rare gold necklace ripped from him in violent daylight robbery
Friday 9 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
A vulnerable Manchester hospital patient returned home from kidney dialysis last week only to be viciously robbed of a £1,500 necklace and beaten on his own doorstep.
The 51-year-old man was returning from Manchester Royal Infirmary when he was assaulted by two men at around 7.15pm on August 2 at his home on Carlton Road, Whalley Range.
After a brief struggle, one of the offenders ripped a rare necklace from the victim with a real tiger tooth covered in gold worth more than £1,500.
The men then attempted to enter the victim’s property but fled after the burglar alarm sounded.
Detective Constable Lisa McGrane said: “This was an absolutely disgusting and cowardly attack on a vulnerable and frail man who needs dialysis treatment three times a week for kidney failure.
“I have no doubt people who are reading or hearing this will be absolutely disgusted and I would implore people to use that sense of anger and indignation to help us catch the despicable offenders responsible for this crime.”
Crucially, one of the robbers asked for the man’s Kara, a Punjabi word for bangle, suggesting that the offender might be of Asian descent.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
END
Midnight movie DEADline: Horror fans given until clock chimes 12 to grasp Grimmfest 2013 early bird tickets
Thursday 8 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
Cult cinema lovers worried that they might miss out on grabbing early bird passes for Manchester’s Grimmfest 2013 can now breathe a sigh of relief.
The deadline for early bird passes was today, but their huge public appeal means that passes can be snapped up until midnight on Friday.
The fifth annual Grimmfest is returning to the city this autumn showcasing all things gore, cult, and horror and sci-fi at the suitably creepy Dancehouse Theatre.
Festival goers will be in for a ghoulish treat with film premieres, special celebrity guests, Q&As and signings with some of the stars of the world of horror throughout the four-day festival.
Kicking off the celebrations with an off-colour homage to their illustrious namesakes, the Brothers Grimm, Grimmfest will be premiering Hansel and Gretel Get Baked.
Early bird passes are now available for a discounted price of £48.50.
If you miss this opportunity, full price tickets will be on sale at the box office next week for £65.00.
To book your early bird passes go to http://grimmfest.com/grimmupnorth/tickets-2013/
END
Suspected burglar who pretended to be ‘thirsty’ before stealing purse also hunted over Stockport rape
Wednesday 7 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
A man who allegedly pretended to be ‘thirsty’ in order to burgle a house is also being hunted in connection with a rape in Stockport last month.
Karl Daniels, 35, from Stockport, allegedly knocked on a house on Hipley Close, Woodley, and asked for a glass of water as a distraction to maliciously steal a purse.
Greater Manchester Police want to speak to Daniels in connection with the rape of a young woman at a house in Hazel Grove, witnesses being threatened and two burglaries in Marple and Romiley.
Superintendent Chris Sykes of Greater Manchester Police said: “Daniels is wanted after a young woman was raped at her home.
“He is also wanted for witness intimidation in relation to the rape as well as numerous burglaries.
“Anyone who sees him should not approach him but call police immediately.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9154 or 101.
END
Debate: Who needs a hot head? Pellegrini’s relaxed attitude will be key to Manchester City’s league success
Tuesday 6 August 2013
Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini often struggled to remain composed in high-pressure moments during his reign at the Etihad stadium.
After goalkeeper Joe Hart bemoaned their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, Mancini snapped and said the England number one should ‘stay in goal and make saves’.
Contrarily, new boss Manuel Pellegrini takes a refreshingly new approach and appears calm and composed amidst the pressure of the Premier League.
After conceding three quick-fire goals to AC Milan in a recent friendly the Chilean manager constructively asked his players to improve their concentration.
Instead of reacting angrily the new boss was philosophical ‘it’s better that this happens now rather than in the Premier League’ was his response.
Pellegrini has already stated that there is no ultimatum to win the league this season, saying ‘I’m not concerned about the pressures’.
This is in contrast to David Moyes’ confidence in his squad that suggests he is expecting United to retain the Premier League crown and he may be under pressure if they don’t.
During the last campaign Mancini was always overly optimistic about City’s chances of winning the league.
Even when United were 15 points ahead of them in March – just two months before the end of the season – he claimed that Reds’ Champions League defeat to Real Madrid and FA Cup draw with Chelsea were indications of the players suffering from fatigue, but that was not the case.
Pellegrini, unlike Mancini, has brought a new quiet determination and relaxed view on City’s title chances that could be the key to the Blues’ success.
We all know that performance on the football pitch is down to psychology as well as footballing ability. As a result, when Mancini publically pilled pressure on his team to win every game to pip United to the title, it must have had a negative effect on the team.
The enormity of the task they faced may have been too big to handle for some of City’s recent signings, who found competing for the championship a new experience.
Captain Vincent Kompany has recently praised Pellegrini for having a ‘certain flair’ and ‘a lot of class’. Given that the captain can be a good or bad influence on the atmosphere within a team, Kompany’s positive endorsement of Pellegrini is welcome. He will help unite the team behind the manager which is crucial during the early stages of his City career.
Pellegrini’s indifference towards José Mourinho’s legendary mind games is a wise decision that underpins the Chilean’s cerebral confidence.
Resisting the temptation to goad him and Moyes before potentially title deciding games, will give City a psychological strength born out of their manager’s focus on football.
Ultimately, the concept of reverse psychology is one that will bring silverware to the Eithad stadium.
By considering each game as equally important and not thinking about the end goal of winning the title, the team can play with confidence and enjoy their football.
Manchester City had enough in-fighting under Mancini. It is time to try something new: release that pressure and maybe, just maybe the Premiership might be heading to the blue side of Manchester.
END
Serious Bolton crash involving two cars ‘travelling at speed’ hospitalises teenage passenger
Monday 5 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
A collision between two high-performance cars in Bolton yesterday morning has left a driver and his teenage passenger with serious injuries.
At around 1.50am yesterday morning police were called to Blackburn Road at its junction with Blackbank Street after two cars crashed.
A silver Mercedes and a white Audi A6 were travelling at speed along Blackburn Road towards Astley Bridge.
As they approached the junction with Blackburn Road, a silver Mercedes pulled into the opposite carriageway to overtake another white Audi, a Q7, which was turning right into Blackbank Street and hit its off-side.
The driver of the silver Mercedes, 26, sustained a chest injury which is not thought to be life-threatening.
The 15-year-old front seat passenger suffered wounds to his spleen and remains in a serious but stable condition – both are in hospital.
The drivers of the Audis were not injured.
Police are appealing to anyone who has information about the incident to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4745.
END
You wanna roll with that? Liam’s dinner lady retires
Tuesday 10 July 2012
Manchester Evening News
A dinner lady who cooked for a young Liam Gallagher has retired after 30 years at the same school.
Barbara Hall, 65, joined St. Bernard’s Primary School in 1981 as the head cook.
She said she remembered the Oasis frontman as a ‘lovely little boy with gorgeous blue eyes who was always smiling.”
Barbara, pictured from Fallowfield, added: “The memories I will take with me are definitely all the children. I can honestly say I’ve liked each one. I’ve never met a child I didn’t like.
”I’ve worked with some wonderful colleagues and will miss the excellent staff and friendly parents.
Barbara, a mother-of-three and grandmother-of-six does not plan to slow down.
She added: ”I will be travelling with my husband to Sri Lanka to visit my son, spend time with family and friends and catching up with some jobs around the house.
Staff payed tribute to Barbara’s work at the school.
Marian Teehan, the Deputy Head said: ”Barbara is a first class professional. She has been exemplary in her dedication to St Bernard’s school over the years.
”Her meals are excellent in terms of their nutrition and flavour.
“And she has that magic ingredient of being calm and capable.”
END
Honorary degree for Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr
Sunday 8 July 2012
Manchester Evening News
Rock star Johnny Marr will receive an honorary degree for services to music. The Smiths’ guitarist is to be honoured at Salford University.
The Wythenshawe-born star has been teaching music at the university for the last five years as a visiting professor.
He will receive the honorary doctorate later this month, along with millionaire bookmaker Fred Done.
Marr, 48, said: “I’m very pleased to be given an honorary degree by Salford University.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the students in my capacity as visiting professor and hopefully we can find some more opportunities for creative work in the future.”
Marr will collect his doctorate of arts alongside hundreds of students at the graduation ceremony on July 19.
Salford bookmaker Fred Done, a regular commentator for the M.E.N, will receive a doctorate of business administration for services to entrepreneurship and his contribution to the north west.
Others receiving awards include Balfour Beatty executive Mike Peasland, surveying professor Peter Brandon, and former police sergeant Chris Wells, a volunteer at the university.
University Vice-Chancellor Martin Hall said: “All our honorary graduates have made outstanding contributions to their fields of work and expertise, and we will be proud to have them join our community through these awards.”
END
Tea party will support cancer charity and Big clear-up tidies estate
Wednesday 13 June 2012
1) Tea party will support cancer charity
Leicester Mercury
A cancer care charity is organising a tea party to raise money for a UK cancer charity.
South Leicestershire Marie Curie Cancer Care Support Group is collecting money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The Blooming Great Tea Party will be held on Wednesday, June, 20, at 2.30 pm on 52 Abbey Road, Enderby LE19 2DA.
Tickets can be bought for £2.50 in advance by contacting Cara Ackerman on 0780 398 6932.
END
2) Big clear-up tidies estate
Leicester Mercury
Volunteers have dug deep to tackle rubbish on an estate.
A group of residents, workers and staff from Leicester City Council spent Monday cleaning up litter in the Saffron Lane area.
Twenty five tonnes of rubbish were removed from streets including Neston Gardens, Neston Road and Windy Road.
The event was set up by staff from Saffron neighbourhood housing office.
Organiser Stacey Hewitt, 41, of Stocking Farm, said: “It was a massive success by everyone to clear so much rubbish despite the bad weather.
“All the staff and volunteers contributed to the clean-up to make this happen.
“We managed to remove graffiti and the carpenters cut back untidy shrubbery and we dealt with grot-spots targeted by fly-tippers near to Kingfisher Community Centre.”
END
Family step out for a worthy cause
Monday 4 July 2011
Leicester Mercury
A mother and daughter will trek across the Great Wall of China for a charity that is close to their hearts.
Natasha Ridewood, 38, and her mother Juliette, 64, are aiming to raise £3,000 each for Kidney Research UK.
It comes after they discovered Natasha’s sister, Katie, 35, who suffers from kidney disease, needed to go back on the waiting list for a new kidney.
Natasha, from Thorpe Satchville, near Melton, said: “I’m really looking forward to it, it should be a really great experience because I’m going with my mum.”
This will be the pair’s first sponsored challenge together.
They hope the trip, in October, will raise the profile for Kidney Research UK and encourage people to become organ donors.
Juliette, who lives in Burton on the Wolds, said: “When we realised Katie was ill again, we thought it was a wonderful, practical thing we could do to help.”
Juliette wants to encourage others to join the organ donor register. She gave one of her kidneys to her daughter in 1997.
She added: “Donating a kidney has made no change to my health, I’m still really fit and healthy.”
All the money raised will go towards research into finding a cure.
They are funding the trip themselves.
END
Women in discussions with police
Friday 24 June 2011
Leicester Mercury
More than 100 women attended an event to discuss issues affecting them, including forced marriages.
Leicester police community engagement team hosted the day-long event for women who live in Highfields, St Matthew’s and the surrounding area of Leicester.
A variety of agencies and community groups also pitched stands at the The Venue, in Gwendolen Road, Evington, Leicester.
Presentations were given by Assistant Chief Constable Steph Morgan and Alison Cairns from the Home Office’s forced marriage unit.
Sergeant Gemma Streather, of the community engagement team, said: “We’re delighted with the response to the event, with 110 women visiting on the day.
“It’s really important to make it known that we are available to offer support to women, so that they be confident in turning to us with any issues of deep concern facing their communities.
“We received lots of positive feedback from the women who came to the event.”
END
City centre to get free wi-fi access?
Friday 24 June 2011
Leicester Mercury
Free wireless internet could be made available for shoppers and tourists.
Leicester City Council is looking at whether to introduce wi-fi internet access in public areas across the city centre, which anyone could connect to using laptops and smartphones.
If that is a success, it could be rolled out across the city and into parts of the county.
Jill Craig, director of information and support at Leicester City Council, said: “This is a very exciting development.
“We will be looking to meet with other councils to learn from their experiences in delivering free wi-fi in public spaces.
“We have already begun work on the development of two wi-fi pilots for public access, in New Walk Museum and the central library.”
Leicester would be following in the footsteps of cities such as Barcelona, New Orleans and San Francisco.
London Mayor Boris Johnson has promised to have a free wi-fi network in place in the capital in time for next year’s Olympics.
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “We’re still in the early stages. Initially, it will be focused on the city centre but if it is a success then it could be expanded across the city.
“It would be convenient for shoppers and visitors.”
The city council said it was too early to say how much the scheme would cost.
It is not known yet how fast the network would be, but many city networks around the world offer speeds of up to five megabits per second – similar to a lower-end home network.
Some cities have provided tiered access, with slower speeds free and faster connection available for a fee.
Student Hani Alquhayz, 27, who lives in the city centre, said: “Having wi-fi in Leicester city centre would be great.
“I have a contract with Vodafone but it would be great to have free wi-fi out and about.”
Teresa Martin, 26, of Highfields, Leicester, said: “Introducing wi-fi in the city centre would be a great idea because everyone uses the internet.
“Wi-fi is available in some cities, so it should really be extended to more cities, such as Leicester.”
Leicestershire County Council said it would look to work with the city council on the scheme.
A spokesman said: “We are keen to explore how businesses and communities in Leicestershire could be supported by such networks.”
END
All city workers deserve living wage, says Leicester mayor
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Leicester Mercury
Low-paid city workers could be paid a “living wage” which is significantly higher than the legal minimum.
Leicester’s mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has ordered council officers to try to calculate the basic pay people should receive.
While the minimum wage – £5.93 an hour – is enforceable by law the living wage is not and it would be up to the council to persuade businesses to agree to pay a higher amount.
A living wage is the minimum amount a person needs to earn to meet basic needs such as food, housing, health care and recreation and is based on the cost of living in a particular area. In London, it is £8.30 an hour.
Sir Peter said: “We think that we can help people in the city by encouraging businesses to commit to raising their levels of pay.
“It wouldn’t just improve the lives of low-paid individuals, it would boost the local economy.
“The council will have to lead by example.
“We have to be realistic, though. This is a long-term plan and it won’t happen overnight.”
Many catering, administrative and cleaning jobs advertised in Leicester pay the minimum wage.
Wayne Griffin, 20, of Highfields, is looking for work in the catering industry.
He said: “Most of the work around is minimum wage and it’s not possible to live on that kind of money.
“A living wage would make life easier for a lot of people, including me.
Lisa Nightingale, 32, of Beaumont Leys, who works in administration, said: “The cost of living is going up all the time. The minimum wage is far too low to keep up.”
Martin Traynor, chief executive of Leicester Chamber of Commerce, said with the economy still coming out of recession “any implementation of the living wage must be a medium to long-term goal”.
Jaspal Singh Minhas, president of Leicester Asian Business Association, said: “The devil is going to be in the detail of the proposition.
“The last thing small businesses – in fact, any businesses – need, is a layer of bureaucracy that monitors wage levels.”
One manager of a city centre branch of a national fashion chain said the proposal was unlikely to gain much support from the company.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “I can’t see why any firm would voluntarily increase its outgoings like this.”
However, many firms in London do adhere to the living wage for all staff. They include Deloitte, Nomura, Prudential and Standard Chartered.
END
An interview with Liz Kendall
Winner of Best Article at The 2011 Demon Media Awards
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Student magazine for De Montfort University: Demon
Outspoken shadow health minister Liz Kendall has defended her decision not to sign the pledge against the trebling of tuition fees.
De Montfort University Students’ Union was disappointed that Ms Kendall did not sign the pledge against the trebling of tuition fees.
In an interview at her Leicester constituency surgery, she said: “I voted against the rise in tuition fees and I did not sign the pledge because Labour began the Browne Review. I did not want to make a promise I was not 100 per cent certain I could keep.
She added: “Trebling of tuition fees is wrong for students and wrong for the economy.”
Ms Kendall criticised the Liberal Democrats’ categorical pledge during the general election campaign to “resist and campaign” against any increases in tuition fees.
“Politicians should not make promises they cannot keep just to win cheap votes like Nick Clegg did. We now know that he knew that committing his party to phasing out tuition fees over six years was a false position, but did it anyway just to win votes.”
Ms Kendall admitted that Ed Miliband’s support of a graduate tax to replace how students repay their loans has many problems – but it remains a ‘viable’ alternative to the current system where students repay their loans when they earn over £21,000 a year.
“The advantage of a graduate contribution is that the more you earn, the more you pay, but there are difficulties with the graduate tax which is that people significantly pay more than the cost of their course; Graduates can move abroad and the Treasury collect the money rather than the money being given to universities.
“While the graduate tax has complications, we must find a better system than the one we currently have.”
She also spoke passionately about her desire to see social mobility increase in the United Kingdom.
Speaking after a lecture at De Monfort University, she said: “getting on in life should not just be the preserve of the very rich.”
The lecture, called “Social Mobility: Where next”? was about how every child should fulfill their potential regardless of their social and economic background.
She said that investing in the child’s early years was critical to their future educational attainment.
“When I was Director of the Maternity Alliance charity, I did a lot of work around early years which is critical in shaping a child’s later life chances. By the time, kids reach the age of eight, less talented put better off kids are doing better than really talented, poorer kids,” she said.
She said that universities must do more to encourage students from the poorest households to attend university.
“There is a lot more that universities can do to reach students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who we know do incredibly well at university – if they get the chance.
She added: “They may not always get the best A-Level grades, but when they get to university they often outperform the children from much better off families.”
When asked about whether she is concerned that politics is dominated by public school educated, Oxbridge graduates, Ms Kendall said: “It is a problem if people who make decisions which affect our lives are from a narrow background.
“The danger is that they do not understand the lives of other groups of people, and can possibly make poor decisions.
“Alan Milburn’s report about social mobility talked about how if a student knows other doctors and lawyers, or their parents do, then they can secure work placements in these professions, whereas someone without connections will find it difficult to find work placements.”
END
Rewarding failure?
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Student magazine for De Montfort University: Demon
In 2008, the global financial crisis struck; Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS received £37bn of taxpayers’ money – meaning that taxpayers own 60% of RBS and 40% of Lloyds TSB and HBOS.
Three years later and we are witnessing the award of huge bonuses to senior bankers, yet many small to medium sized enterprises cannot obtain credit from these banks. So, are large banks not meeting their responsibilities to their customers and wider society after being rescued by the taxpayer? It would appear not.
In August 2010, the Daily Mail reported that despite HSBC making profits of £7 billion, the bank admitted that they had not lent credit to enough viable businesses in the past 12 months.
In December 2010, Royal Bank of Scotland said that they wanted to pay cash bonuses of up to £50,000 for its senior investment bankers. It is scandalous that the bankers are thanking the taxpayers for their generosity through greater bonus payments and restricting the access of credit to businesses.
BBC Panorama investigation, “Carry On Banking!” explained how the senior executives of these banks when they collapsed, and had not suffered as a result of their failure. Then RBS chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin left the company with a pension of £8.3 million, and was employed as a senior adviser for international architect firm, RMJM. Equally, former RBS deputy chief executive Gordon Pell received a pension of £13.5 million when he retired, and is now employed by Coutts, a UK private banking company owned by RBS.
The lack of deterrence against risk taking in the financial industry was expressed by Geraint Anderson, best-selling author of Cityboy. He said that if a banker placed a bet and won, he/she would keep a portion of the bet “as a bonus.” Likewise, if he/she placed a bet and they lost, their pay packet for that month would be unaffected. The irresponsible decisions of a minority of greedy investment bankers and hedge fund traders have affected the majority of their responsible colleagues.
Over the past two years, 20,000 people have been made redundant at Lloyds Banking Group. Angela and Stephen Robson were one of those people who lost their jobs. Losing their jobs caused the couple to endured sleepless nights, and led to them cancelling Christmas. “We had to make sacrifices,” Stephen told reporter Mark Daly in the documentary. On average, Stephen was applying for up to 25 jobs a week but a year later and neither has found work.
The coalition government has sought to curb bankers’ bonuses by introducing a permanent bank levy on bank balance sheets that could generate £2.5 billion a year from 2012. Business Secretary Vince Cable told the BBC’s Andrew Marr that if banks do not curb bonus payments then the government can take action against the banks through “some form of taxation.” Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that the government “will not stand idly by” if government owned banks like RBS do not increase lending to businesses and reduce the size of bonus payments.
In reality there is very little that the government can do to prevent banks paying out excessive bonuses and stop risk taking.
The British economy is heavily dependent on the financial services industry, as according to the British Bankers Association (BBA) it pays 10% of all tax paid to the Treasury.
It is doubtful that the government can legislate to force these banks to set aside credit to lend to businesses. What a pity that there was no clause in the bailout deal to defer bonuses in the medium term and set aside a fund to lend to businesses.
It seems that senior bankers will continue to receive no punishment for their excessive risk taking. Will Hutton,executive vice-chair of the Work Foundation was right when he claimed “unless there was really substantial change” he would not be surprised if another financial crisis occurred within 25 years. The sooner that our government invests in re building our manufacturing sector and developing our biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, perhaps they will not flinch taking tougher action against the banks, who will not be able to hold the British economy hostage.
In December 2010, Chancellor George Osborne and Vince Cable met chief executives who manage Britain’s largest banks to discuss how winter bonus payments can be reduced.
I was struck by Santander CEO Ana Patricia Botin’s statement that a commitment on small businesses can be made in return for “leniency on pay.” It is becoming increasingly unfortunate that where the banks are concerned, there really is no punishment for failure.
END
What’s in Store For Life After Uni?
Samson Dada looks into life after University and wonders whether we’ll be better off than our parents, or whether our living standards could be even worse.
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Student magazine for De Montfort University: Demon
Most parents hope that their children will experience better living standards than they did: A good education, job prospects, a reasonable amount of disposable income, and to live happy and fulfilling lives.
Children who were the first in their family to attend university would make their parents believe that they would enjoy a more prosperous life than they did. In President Barack Obama’s Oval Office address on August 31st about the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, he also spoke about “Americans who have fought to see that the lives of our children are better than our own.” He speaks not only as President, but as a father of two daughters Malia, 12 and Sasha, 9 and firmly believes that the living standards of each generation should be better than the generations that preceded them.
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the global economic downturn has left over 2 million Britons unemployed which begs the question: Will we face worst living standards than our parents?
In July of this year, a report by the Higher Education Institute showed that unemployment among graduates under 24 rose by 25%. More people are graduating from university to find that they are competing with hundreds of other applicants for one job vacancy, and a degree is not enough to secure the job of their choice.
Jean Girling, a 75-year-old pensioner who featured in BBC News Online Spending Review series ahead of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review on Wednesday October 20, said that her granddaughter had to settle for a position in a supermarket despite graduating from university with a double first in English. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with working in a supermarket, my mother works in a supermarket, but someone with such an outstanding degree should hope to work in a career like journalism, public relations or teaching for example.
Then there is the housing market. Deposits for first-time buyers are very expensive. A typical deposit is up to 25 per cent of the price of a property. So for instance if you had to provide a 25 per cent deposit and the cost of the property was £150,000 you would need to pay a £37,500 deposit.
The reality is that only a minority of young adults with affluent parents who can contribute towards their child’s deposit will get the opportunity to own a property. Gone are the days when parents could pay £80,000 – £90,000 for a three bedroom semi or detached house and watch its value significantly increase. It is very unlikely that our generation will be able to own a property that they can use as a financial asset and something that they can pass on to their children.
Rising food prices have meant that those on lower incomes have had to choose between food and electricity. In August of this year, The Daily Mail reported that shoppers were paying up to 58 per cent more for basic grocery items, compared to what they were paying three years ago.
This year, the Guardian told the story of Holly Billen, 26 and eight months pregnant who had to seek handouts from a food bank in order to save money to pay for her fuel bills. I am not suggesting that all young adults will be placed in this Catch 22 situation, but we are certainly not experiencing a post-World War II global economic boom.
Former Conservative British Prime Minister Harold McMillan famously said at a rally in Bedford that “most of our people have never had it so good.”
It will be a long time before our generation can say these words again.
END
Child support debt owed by constituency
Nearly £4bn is owed across the country in child maintenance support. Find out the figures where you live.
Friday 16 July 2010
The Guardian
Gingerbread, the single parent charity, has described the level of child maintenance debt across the country as “truly shocking” after collating figures on how much child maintenance is owed in every Parliamentary constituency.
Nationally, £3.7bn was owed in child maintenance arrears as of March 2010, with Grimsby, Milton Keynes and Blackpool topping the list of constituencies where debts are highest.
More than £1bn of this owned money is deemed to be collectable, but Gingerbread says the Child Support Agency has no target for 2010-11 for the collection of arrears.
Fiona Weir, chief executive of Gingerbread, says:
"The scale of child maintenance owed to children is truly shocking, when so many single parent families struggle financially. In every parliamentary constituency (Northern Ireland excepted), at least £1 million of child maintenance is owed. This rises to over £10 million in the top six constituencies. This is much-needed money which would be helping pay for items such as children’s clothes, school meals, trips and activities and childcare.
"Ultimately the responsibility for paying child maintenance rests with the non-resident parent, but the Child Support Agency has to do its job too in collecting debts and enforcing payment. The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (which is in charge of the CSA) has not set a debt recovery target for the current year, and failed to meet its own target last year. We are calling for a debt recovery target to be set as a matter of urgency."
Last year, the Child Support Agency (CSA) collected £147 million of arrears against a target of £170 million.
END
Cash strapped pre-retirees raid savings
A report from insurer LV= says one in five people approaching retirement are reducing their pension savings by more than £300 a month
Thursday 15th July 2010
The Guardian
Cash-strapped people over the age of 50 have reduced their pension savings by almost £18bn in the past 12 months, according to latest research.
The annual State of Retirement report, compiled by insurer LV=, shows that one in five of those approaching retirement have decreased their retirement savings by an average of £324 a month. This is more than double the £137 average reduction in retirement savings made by 20% of over-50s last year.
The report also found that fewer imminent retirees over 50 are saving sufficient amounts to maintain a comfortable lifestyle once they finish work, with one in three pinning their retirement hopes on economic recovery. The figure is even higher for the over-60s with 46% hoping for a substantial recovery in the UK to improve their retirement prospects.
Women approaching retirement appear to be feeling the effects of the recession and credit crunch more, with 23% cutting their monthly retirement savings by an average of £372, or £4,464 a year. In contrast, one in five men approaching retirement have reduced their retirement savings by an average of £265 a month, or £3,180 a year.
LV=, the UK's biggest friendly society, has urged tomorrow's retirees to look at alternatives to boost their income. Ray Chinn, head of pensions at LV=, said: "Britain's over-50s have already seen their pension pots damaged by the economic crisis, and now many appear to be diverting still more money away from retirement saving to deal with immediate pressures.
"We urge those already close to retirement not to give up on saving at such a crucial time. These days there are far more financial options available as you reach retirement age – everything from drawing an income while your pension stays invested to releasing equity from your home."
Increased savings, decreased awareness
Despite some improvement in equity markets over the past year, only one in 12 of Britain's non-retired over-50s have increased their pensions savings over this period.
People's awareness of their likely future income has fallen since last year when 63% felt they had a grasp on how much they would have to live on in retirement. Now only four in 10 of those approaching retirement have a "fair" or "good" idea of how much income they will have when they retire. A further 14% say they will be totally reliant on the state to support them financially.
The main factors behind this are the rising cost of food and utilities (cited by 74%), the lower interest rates available on their savings (66%), and the effects of the ongoing economic downturn.
Despite their concerns about financial security in retirement, just one in five over-50s have consulted an independent financial adviser for retirement planning advice. The number of over-50s going it alone with their retirement planning has increased 7% since the first LV= survey in 2008, with nearly two-thirds admitting they have never sought advice about their retirement.
Opinium Research questioned 1,557 British adults over the age of 50 for the survey. The UK's over-50s population is 21,573,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.
JLS The X-Factor-created boyband sold just under 1m of their self-titled debut. The Club is Alive, taken from their second album, went straight to the top of the charts this week.
Two 20-year-old men found with serious abdominal injuries and woman is sexually assaulted
T in the Park, the biggest outdoor music festival in Scotland, was at the centre of an attempted murder investigation today after an attack on two men, a sexual assault and an unrelated death.
Two 20-year-old men were found with serious abdominal injuries on a walkway between the main arena and the festival campsite at about 11.50pm yesterday. Three men, all in their 20s, have been arrested.
In a separate incident, David Catto, from Newtonhill, near Aberdeen, collapsed on Friday night as he made his way back from the festival arena to a campsite. The cause of death is unknown. His death was described by T in the Park organiser, Geoff Ellis, as a tragedy.
In a third incident, a woman was pushed over and sexually assaulted near the bus parking area on Saturday.
Detective Inspector Steve Bissett, of Tayside police, appealed for witnesses to come forward.
He said of the attack on the two men: "This has been a particularly disturbing incident where two men have sustained very serious injuries. This was the time when the majority of campers were making their way back to the campsite following the closure of the arena entertainment.
"It's possible some campers may have captured vital images of the incident on cameras or mobile phones, and a number of others will have witnessed the assault.
"I would urge anyone who witnessed these incidents or anyone who may have photographs or footage to get in touch with us." Police said three men were helping with inquiries.
There has been criticism of the event on internet forums. On the E-festivals website, Rexclark wrote: "The event was getting worse every year." Keyinboyle82 described "the campsite as full of total idiots, and it's been getting worse for the last 5 years".
Tayside police made 64 arrests, up from 59 last year.
Brendán Burton, who was at the festival, criticised the standard of security. "Security should be better, whether they employ more staff, or perhaps just better staff who are willing to help or look after festival goers," he said.
T in the Park has not responded to the criticisms.
END
Political exclusive
December 2009 edition
Sixth form college magazine: Xaverian X-press
In August 2009, I secured an exclusive interview with Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party.
Here are excerpts from my interview.
Will you be committing the party to any new policies at the Liberal Democrat conference?
It’s a democratic forum, and I can’t be certain what will or won’t be voted through, but I hope we’ll be passing a lot of important new policies. We’ll be looking at ways to protect consumers from greedy banks and businesses, ways of generating electricity from tidal energy and at protecting our civil liberties. There will also be policies on stopping MPs abusing their expenses, improving our rail network and better support for our armed forces.
What are your thoughts on MPs who ‘tweet’ during sessions in the House of Commons?
I prefer to concentrate on the debate. Twitter’s better when you’re out and about. Parliament is on the television if people want to know what’s going on.
Gordon Brown’s continued mantra in PMQs is that “The Liberal Democrats have no policy for jobs, no policy for growth and no policy for housing.” Is this the case and is the Prime Minister telling the truth when he says this?
The Liberal Democrats are the only party with a clear plan to get British people back to work, rebuild the economy and build the homes people need. We’re the only ones ready to do things differently by moving away from the mistakes that got us into this mess. We want an economy that’s not just centered in London and on financial services, but strong throughout the country. And we want to build growth and jobs out of going green, so we can stop dangerous climate change.
Out of Labour and the Conservatives, which party is closer to the ideals and values of the Liberal Democrats?
I think they’re closer to each other! Both are fundamentally parties of the establishment who won’t change anything fundamental about the way our country works and that’s why nothing ever really changes when they’re in government. Liberal Democrats are different – we want a fresh start, a better way of doing things and an end to the same old mistakes.
Your party have highlighted that the recession has increased the number of people on unemployment benefits which has caused the number of cases of mental illnesses such as depression to rise. Why are the Liberal Democrats opposed to renewing Trident when this will send people to work?
We do not need the comprehensive Trident nuclear weapons system to protect Britain – and at a cost of up to £100bn, it is far too expensive for our needs. The government should make strategic defence decisions on the basis of protecting the country, not to make jobs for people. A far better way to create jobs for unemployed people is to invest in building new homes and renewable energy, so that we can build a new, green economy. That’s a better and more sustainable solution.
Do you believe we will still be in Afghanistan in 10, 15 or 20 years?
We could be if we don’t sort out the political strategy for building up the Afghan government, police and army. That’s why I’ve been so outspoken in arguing for better co-ordination between international forces, governments and aid agencies, so that the work our troops do leads to long-lasting peace. If we are to stop Afghanistan from being a haven for terrorism and drug traffickers, all nations need to work together.
Do you get a lot of young people visiting your surgeries?
I get a whole mix of people with all sorts of questions and problems. It’s a great way to really keep in touch with what matters to people, and often help get their issues sorted out, too. Sheffield has two big universities, so I often meet a lot of students locally too.
Many teenagers, including myself will be voting for the first time in a general election that carries huge importance for the future of this country. How can Nick Clegg ‘get down with the kids’?
I’m in my early 40s, and I don’t think it’s any use pretending otherwise. I think it’s pretty patronising to teenagers when politicians try to be ‘cool’, as if teenagers don’t have the intellect or capacity to engage with them on adult terms. I spend a lot of time out and about in the country, and my favourite thing to do is hold an open forum meeting where people can ask me any question they like. Some of the best discussions have been when we’ve had public meetings at schools or colleges and young people come along. It’s corny to say, but young people are the country’s future and I think engaging with them is one of the most important things I can do – and that means taking them seriously, not trying to be “down with the kids!”
END
The power of enrichment activities
October 2008 edition
Sixth form college magazine: Xaverian X-press
For the majority of us, our college years are spent working on that latest coursework project, homework assignment or revising for those dreaded exams. However, putting aside some time to commit yourself to just one extra curriculum activity will really help to shape your college experience.
For me, it was the college and schools’ public speaking competition. Yes, you have probably heard a similar cliché before, but signing up last year was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
Last September we were encouraged to sign up for as many activities as possible, because ‘it would look good on our UCAS forms.’ I tried not to be someone who would sign up for every activity and not be able to commit to them. But I had a burning desire to sign up for public speaking. Addressing a crowd with a message that has meaning and purpose has always been something that I have aspired to do, and public speaking would give me the platform to do this.
Preparation for the Rotarians’ Public Speaking Semi-Final was quite intense. I needed to write a speech that a varied audience could relate to. Choosing a topic can sometimes feel more of a challenge than writing the speech itself! I decided to deliver my speech entitled ‘Education Maintenance Allowance’ that I had delivered in the college competition. My argument was that the allowance system was flawed because there was an assumption by the government that all parents earning above £30,000 would support their child financially.
On the night of the semi-final at Burnage High School For Boys, the other competitors in the senior category were: My Upper-Sixth colleague Becci Raine, with her speech ‘Does the ends justify the means?’; Loreto Sixth Form College pair Dominic Biddle and Addy Dada, St Bedes College David Callaghan and two students from Manchester Grammar Sixth Form College.
I was the third person to deliver my speech. I was feeling slightly nervous but once I was standing in front of the audience, my nerves began to subside. Overall, I had delivered the speech fairly well, remembering large parts of the speech, but still occasionally having to peer down at my notes. As I walked to my seat, I felt quietly confident that memorable sound bites like “What EMA is doing to the value of education is a bit like what prostitution is doing for love” would get me through to the final.
All junior and senior semi-finalists were told to wait in the hall pending the judges’ announcement of the four finalists for the two categories. The refreshments were disappointing! Some speakers tried to convince others around them that they would be unconcerned if they failed to reach the final, but their true feelings were pretty evident.
The senior semi-finalists were kept in suspense a little longer, since the junior finalists were announced first. It wasn’t much of a surprise that the polished David and dramatic Dominic were the first speakers to reach the final. Thus, there were two more places left. “SAMSON DADA,” one of the judges announced, however I did not let myself get too excited; I was looking ahead to the final.
Addy Dada was the last name to be called out and both of us would be faced with repetitive questions of whether we were related. Just to clear that up, we are not related.
On the way home, Mr Birch and I were discussing possible speech topics for the final. He suggested that I could write a speech about the importance of names.
A few weeks later, I had written ‘What’s in a name?’ There were nine points of discussion in the speech: Speaking directly to parents; why I might have been given my name; the meaning of my first name and how it can be ‘humored’ by others; how I fail to live up to my biblical namesake; the cultural movement of Dadaism; the link between Dadaism and my interests; the meaning of someone’s name does not necessarily mirror their personality; outrageous names of celebrity babies and the importance of parents choosing the right name for their child.
Practice sessions during lunchtimes and free periods had allowed me to work on perfecting pronunciation of key words in the speech, varying my delivery and learning as much of the speech as possible.
Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport was the venue for the final, with over 100 guests in attendance. There were about 5-8 dinner tables, each with the names cards of the speakers, their guests and members of the public who had paid £25 to hear us speak! Mr. Birch pointed out the lectern to me and explained that the absence of a microphone and the positioning of the lectern meant I had to project my voice very well so all sides of the room could hear me. It was also vital to connect with the audience too.
The three-course meal was very appetising. The starter was asparagus soup, followed by Etruscan Style Lamb and rounded off with lemon meringue pie, coffee and mints.
Like the semi-final, I was the third person to speak. I was very pleased that I had projected my voice well, maintained eye contact, looked at my notes only for the last few lines of the speech and received some laughs from the audience for my humorous content.
Before the presentation of the prizes, each speaker was given feedback by the adjudicator, Dr Christine Smith. The winner of the junior competition was Charlotte Ward, who had the audience in stitches with ‘You make me sick’. I was described as an “accomplished speaker” but the speech could have included more variety. David Callaghan, a frequent participant in public speaking contests walked away with the senior title.
I could not help feeling a little upset that the trophy was not heading to Xaverian, but putting things into perspective it was a great achievement that I had reached the final in my first ever public speaking competition, and the £25 book voucher was not bad either.
Trust me; take a look at the enrichment activities available, you never know just how far they may take you.
END
We’ve settled in
Thursday 27 August 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Exciting times lie ahead for Manchester Settlement after the centre moved into its new home in The New Roundhouse on Ashton Old Road, Openshaw.
Relocation was decided once workers realised that the previous building on Bosworth Street had insufficient space to allow all of their projects to be carried out.
An official opening day in June was attended by more than 100 people, and the building was named after the settlements original home, The Roundhouse on Every Street in Ancoats.
Play schemes will be held during Easter and summer holidays with a maximum intake of 50 children aged between six and 12 years.
The first play scheme at the new building proved to be a success, with more than 130 children registering and there has been a full capacity on numerous occasions. Children have visited Eureka, Blackpool Zoo and Camelot.
Clare McGlone of Manchester Settlement, said: “The settlement has been helping people in East Manchester since 1895. Our aim is to continue to help local people realise their own potential and make better lives for themselves and their families.”
“We are busy looking at other after school activities for children – so watch this space.
“We have received a lot of interest from community members and residents; everyone wants to know who we are, what we do and what is on offer at the new building. We have asked residents to come forward with suggestions of activities that they want to do at the New Roundhouse, we have had a very good response and hope to have a variety of creative, educational, health related and fun activities on offer in the coming months.
“Young people who attend our projects and activities are happy that they have the opportunity to be involved in the new roundhouse, as the building is modern and bright and is a great space for them."
The Settlement is a registered Independent school and as a result of its funding for adult education, there are vacancies for teaching assistant and adult tutors to deliver a variety of sessions.
Interested applicants can call Clare on 0161 614 8448 to apply for any one of these positions and to receive more information.
See www.manchestersettlement.org.uk
END
Letter: The right to have children?
Thursday 13 August 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
I was surprised to see that 64 per cent of respondents in a July poll believed that there should be a limit on how many children parents have.
Expanding family sizes contribute to an ever growing population. Parents who want their children to enter higher education and have good jobs may find that having excessive numbers of children will create a greater demand for these institutions and on the jobs market.
I am not saying do not have any kids at all, but there are so many parents who cannot look after themselves, let alone provide for children. It almost seems silly how you need identification to buy an 18 rated DVD, but you do not need a licence to become a parent.
Chris and Wendy Jeub from Monument, Colorado has 15 children five boys and 10 girls. Apparently they belong to a ‘Quiverfull movement’ that rejects birth control. “Wendy and I believe God wants us to trust him in our family planning.” This is the type of ridiculous statement that makes one question the motives behind the reasons that man and woman choose to have children. Well, the family now has a US TV series for their efforts.
I am not sure if it is fair to bring children into the world should the child have to suffer from material and cultural deprivation, and endure the bullying, mental and psychological effects that can come from scarcity?
It was your choice to have a baby. Perhaps a limit on how many children parents have may need to be looked at. Have one child, two or maybe even three, but do you really need more?
END
New parking powers for councils
Tuesday 21 July 2009
Manchester Evening News
Drivers who double park or block dropped kerbs can be hit with an instant £70 fine under new powers given to councils.
Parking bosses now no longer have to put up warning notices to be able to issue the penalty notices.
Blocking the road by double parking, and blocking a dropped kerb intended to help wheelchair users and people with prams cross, are both offences in the Highway Code.
But until now councils have only been able to issue fines if there are either yellow lines or a warning notice.
The new powers could also be used to fine people who block a dropped kerb to a house or a drive, but in these cases the homeowner would need to ask the council to take action.
The change in the rules was welcomed by Coun Derek Antrobus, head of planning at Salford council.
He warned: “Parking attendants will be looking to enforce all these extended powers.”
Those who flout the rules will get a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
END
Threat to our mail should be stamped out . . .
Thursday 12 March 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
North and east Manchester political leaders have made it clear that they do not want the Royal Mail to be privatised.
Last week, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson introduced a government Bill into the House of Lords to part privatise 30 per cent of the Royal Mail.
Lord Mandelson and many government ministers argue that privatisation is essential for the modernisation of the post office.
He told the BBC that new investment was sorely needed as Royal Mail “was in danger of running out of money.”
However, approximately 125 Labour MPs oppose the scheme. They have expressed concerns about full privatisation, job cuts and Labour breaking a campaign pledge to keep services in public ownership.
A total of 145 MPs have signed a Commons motion against the plan.
Labour MP for Manchester Blackley, Graham Stringer spoke at a rally in Albert Square organised by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in support of stopping the privatisation of the Royal Mail.
“There is absolutely no need to sell part of the Royal Mail off. One only has to have a look at other partial privations which show that the private sector gets the profits and the taxpayer gets the debt.
“We want modernisation not privatisation. It is ridiculous that the Royal Mail have to deliver their private sector competitors letters and in doing so they are being forced to subsidise them. If they didn’t have to subside their competitors an extra £100 million a year, this money could be used to improve the service.
“Peter Mandelson has done many good things for the Labour Party and the country, but he has got this one wrong.”
Harpurhey Councillor Paul Fairweather said: “All three Harpurhey councillors are 100 per cent behind the campaign to keep the Post Office public.
“We campaigned very hard to keep our sub post office on Rochdale Road and we would fight every inch to keep our main Harpurhey Post Office at Barnes Green.
“Our main post office provides an invaluable and important public service for the people of North Manchester.
“Most of the banks have pulled out of the Harpurhey and Collyhurst area so the post office is truly the ‘People’s Bank.’
Councillor Pat Karney echoed Fairweather’s sentiments. He said: “The Postal Service like any other body has to keep up to date and be responsive to customers.
“I don’t think that the privatisation of the water, utility and telephone service has brought great benefits to the consumer. Clearly the postal service has to take account of modern communications systems like email. I personally receive about 100 emails a day but I still receive about ten to fifteen letters. We need to lift the threat of privatisation and get everyone together, managers, staff and consumers, to plan for a modern public postal service.
People are not daft; they know that many changes have to be made with the growth of information technology. The local post office should be developed into the ‘people’s bank’ – it would be a better job than many of the present banks.”
Ancoats and Clayton councillor and City Council Deputy Leader Jim Battle said: “We expect the Royal Mail to provide a high quality affordable service, to secure employment and protect post office workers’ pension schemes.
We recognise that the trade unions and others are concerned that current Government proposals may undermine the Royal Mail and we urge the Government and MPs to carefully re-consider these plans and secure a viable future for this national asset.”
For more information log on to www.cwunorthwest.org
END
Serious Bolton crash involving two cars ‘travelling at speed’ hospitalises teenage passenger
Monday 5 August 2013
Mancunian Matters
A collision between two high-performance cars in Bolton yesterday morning has left a driver and his teenage passenger with serious injuries.
At around 1.50am yesterday morning police were called to Blackburn Road at its junction with Blackbank Street after two cars crashed.
A silver Mercedes and a white Audi A6 were travelling at speed along Blackburn Road towards Astley Bridge.
As they approached the junction with Blackburn Road, a silver Mercedes pulled into the opposite carriageway to overtake another white Audi, a Q7, which was turning right into Blackbank Street and hit its off-side.
The driver of the silver Mercedes, 26, sustained a chest injury which is not thought to be life-threatening.
The 15-year-old front seat passenger suffered wounds to his spleen and remains in a serious but stable condition – both are in hospital.
The drivers of the Audis were not injured.
Police are appealing to anyone who has information about the incident to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4745.
END
You wanna roll with that? Liam’s dinner lady retires
Tuesday 10 July 2012
Manchester Evening News
A dinner lady who cooked for a young Liam Gallagher has retired after 30 years at the same school.
Barbara Hall, 65, joined St. Bernard’s Primary School in 1981 as the head cook.
She said she remembered the Oasis frontman as a ‘lovely little boy with gorgeous blue eyes who was always smiling.”
Barbara, pictured from Fallowfield, added: “The memories I will take with me are definitely all the children. I can honestly say I’ve liked each one. I’ve never met a child I didn’t like.”I’ve worked with some wonderful colleagues and will miss the excellent staff and friendly parents.
Barbara, a mother-of-three and grandmother-of-six does not plan to slow down.
She added: ”I will be travelling with my husband to Sri Lanka to visit my son, spend time with family and friends and catching up with some jobs around the house.
Staff payed tribute to Barbara’s work at the school.
Marian Teehan, the Deputy Head said: ”Barbara is a first class professional. She has been exemplary in her dedication to St Bernard’s school over the years.
”Her meals are excellent in terms of their nutrition and flavour.
“And she has that magic ingredient of being calm and capable.”
END
Honorary degree for Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr
Sunday 8 July 2012
Manchester Evening News
Rock star Johnny Marr will receive an honorary degree for services to music. The Smiths’ guitarist is to be honoured at Salford University.
The Wythenshawe-born star has been teaching music at the university for the last five years as a visiting professor.
He will receive the honorary doctorate later this month, along with millionaire bookmaker Fred Done.
Marr, 48, said: “I’m very pleased to be given an honorary degree by Salford University.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the students in my capacity as visiting professor and hopefully we can find some more opportunities for creative work in the future.”
Marr will collect his doctorate of arts alongside hundreds of students at the graduation ceremony on July 19.
Salford bookmaker Fred Done, a regular commentator for the M.E.N, will receive a doctorate of business administration for services to entrepreneurship and his contribution to the north west.
Others receiving awards include Balfour Beatty executive Mike Peasland, surveying professor Peter Brandon, and former police sergeant Chris Wells, a volunteer at the university.
University Vice-Chancellor Martin Hall said: “All our honorary graduates have made outstanding contributions to their fields of work and expertise, and we will be proud to have them join our community through these awards.”
END
Tea party will support cancer charity and Big clear-up tidies estate
Wednesday 13 June 2012
Leicester Mercury
1) Tea party will support cancer charity
Leicester Mercury
A cancer care charity is organising a tea party to raise money for a UK cancer charity.South Leicestershire Marie Curie Cancer Care Support Group is collecting money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The Blooming Great Tea Party will be held on Wednesday, June, 20, at 2.30 pm on 52 Abbey Road, Enderby LE19 2DA.
Tickets can be bought for £2.50 in advance by contacting Cara Ackerman on 0780 398 6932.
END
2) Big clear-up tidies estate
Leicester Mercury
Volunteers have dug deep to tackle rubbish on an estate.
A group of residents, workers and staff from Leicester City Council spent Monday cleaning up litter in the Saffron Lane area.
Twenty five tonnes of rubbish were removed from streets including Neston Gardens, Neston Road and Windy Road.
The event was set up by staff from Saffron neighbourhood housing office.
Organiser Stacey Hewitt, 41, of Stocking Farm, said: “It was a massive success by everyone to clear so much rubbish despite the bad weather.
“All the staff and volunteers contributed to the clean-up to make this happen.
“We managed to remove graffiti and the carpenters cut back untidy shrubbery and we dealt with grot-spots targeted by fly-tippers near to Kingfisher Community Centre.”
END
Family step out for a worthy cause
Monday 4 July 2011
Leicester Mercury
A mother and daughter will trek across the Great Wall of China for a charity that is close to their hearts.
Natasha Ridewood, 38, and her mother Juliette, 64, are aiming to raise £3,000 each for Kidney Research UK.
It comes after they discovered Natasha’s sister, Katie, 35, who suffers from kidney disease, needed to go back on the waiting list for a new kidney.
Natasha, from Thorpe Satchville, near Melton, said: “I’m really looking forward to it, it should be a really great experience because I’m going with my mum.”
This will be the pair’s first sponsored challenge together.
They hope the trip, in October, will raise the profile for Kidney Research UK and encourage people to become organ donors.
Juliette, who lives in Burton on the Wolds, said: “When we realised Katie was ill again, we thought it was a wonderful, practical thing we could do to help.”
Juliette wants to encourage others to join the organ donor register. She gave one of her kidneys to her daughter in 1997.
She added: “Donating a kidney has made no change to my health, I’m still really fit and healthy.”
All the money raised will go towards research into finding a cure.
They are funding the trip themselves.
END
Women in discussions with police
Friday 24 June 2011
Leicester Mercury
More than 100 women attended an event to discuss issues affecting them, including forced marriages.
Leicester police community engagement team hosted the day-long event for women who live in Highfields, St Matthew’s and the surrounding area of Leicester.
A variety of agencies and community groups also pitched stands at the The Venue, in Gwendolen Road, Evington, Leicester.
Sergeant Gemma Streather, of the community engagement team, said: “We’re delighted with the response to the event, with 110 women visiting on the day.
“It’s really important to make it known that we are available to offer support to women, so that they be confident in turning to us with any issues of deep concern facing their communities.
“We received lots of positive feedback from the women who came to the event.”
END
City centre to get free wi-fi access?
Friday 24 June 2011
Leicester Mercury
Free wireless internet could be made available for shoppers and tourists.
Leicester City Council is looking at whether to introduce wi-fi internet access in public areas across the city centre, which anyone could connect to using laptops and smartphones.
If that is a success, it could be rolled out across the city and into parts of the county.
Jill Craig, director of information and support at Leicester City Council, said: “This is a very exciting development.
“We will be looking to meet with other councils to learn from their experiences in delivering free wi-fi in public spaces.
“We have already begun work on the development of two wi-fi pilots for public access, in New Walk Museum and the central library.”
Leicester would be following in the footsteps of cities such as Barcelona, New Orleans and San Francisco.
London Mayor Boris Johnson has promised to have a free wi-fi network in place in the capital in time for next year’s Olympics.
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “We’re still in the early stages. Initially, it will be focused on the city centre but if it is a success then it could be expanded across the city.
“It would be convenient for shoppers and visitors.”
The city council said it was too early to say how much the scheme would cost.
It is not known yet how fast the network would be, but many city networks around the world offer speeds of up to five megabits per second – similar to a lower-end home network.
Some cities have provided tiered access, with slower speeds free and faster connection available for a fee.
Student Hani Alquhayz, 27, who lives in the city centre, said: “Having wi-fi in Leicester city centre would be great.
“I have a contract with Vodafone but it would be great to have free wi-fi out and about.”
Teresa Martin, 26, of Highfields, Leicester, said: “Introducing wi-fi in the city centre would be a great idea because everyone uses the internet.
“Wi-fi is available in some cities, so it should really be extended to more cities, such as Leicester.”
Leicestershire County Council said it would look to work with the city council on the scheme.
A spokesman said: “We are keen to explore how businesses and communities in Leicestershire could be supported by such networks.”
END
All city workers deserve living wage, says Leicester mayor
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Leicester Mercury
Low-paid city workers could be paid a “living wage” which is significantly higher than the legal minimum.
Leicester’s mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has ordered council officers to try to calculate the basic pay people should receive.
While the minimum wage – £5.93 an hour – is enforceable by law the living wage is not and it would be up to the council to persuade businesses to agree to pay a higher amount.
A living wage is the minimum amount a person needs to earn to meet basic needs such as food, housing, health care and recreation and is based on the cost of living in a particular area. In London, it is £8.30 an hour.
“It wouldn’t just improve the lives of low-paid individuals, it would boost the local economy.
“The council will have to lead by example.
“We have to be realistic, though. This is a long-term plan and it won’t happen overnight.”
Many catering, administrative and cleaning jobs advertised in Leicester pay the minimum wage.
Wayne Griffin, 20, of Highfields, is looking for work in the catering industry.
He said: “Most of the work around is minimum wage and it’s not possible to live on that kind of money.
“A living wage would make life easier for a lot of people, including me.
Lisa Nightingale, 32, of Beaumont Leys, who works in administration, said: “The cost of living is going up all the time. The minimum wage is far too low to keep up.”
Martin Traynor, chief executive of Leicester Chamber of Commerce, said with the economy still coming out of recession “any implementation of the living wage must be a medium to long-term goal”.
Jaspal Singh Minhas, president of Leicester Asian Business Association, said: “The devil is going to be in the detail of the proposition.
“The last thing small businesses – in fact, any businesses – need, is a layer of bureaucracy that monitors wage levels.”
One manager of a city centre branch of a national fashion chain said the proposal was unlikely to gain much support from the company.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “I can’t see why any firm would voluntarily increase its outgoings like this.”
However, many firms in London do adhere to the living wage for all staff. They include Deloitte, Nomura, Prudential and Standard Chartered.
END
An interview with Liz Kendall
Winner of Best Article at The 2011 Demon Media Awards
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Student magazine for De Montfort University: Demon
Outspoken shadow health minister Liz Kendall has defended her decision not to sign the pledge against the trebling of tuition fees.
De Montfort University Students’ Union was disappointed that Ms Kendall did not sign the pledge against the trebling of tuition fees.
She added: “Trebling of tuition fees is wrong for students and wrong for the economy.”
Ms Kendall criticised the Liberal Democrats’ categorical pledge during the general election campaign to “resist and campaign” against any increases in tuition fees.
“Politicians should not make promises they cannot keep just to win cheap votes like Nick Clegg did. We now know that he knew that committing his party to phasing out tuition fees over six years was a false position, but did it anyway just to win votes.”
Ms Kendall admitted that Ed Miliband’s support of a graduate tax to replace how students repay their loans has many problems – but it remains a ‘viable’ alternative to the current system where students repay their loans when they earn over £21,000 a year.
“The advantage of a graduate contribution is that the more you earn, the more you pay, but there are difficulties with the graduate tax which is that people significantly pay more than the cost of their course; Graduates can move abroad and the Treasury collect the money rather than the money being given to universities.
“While the graduate tax has complications, we must find a better system than the one we currently have.”
She also spoke passionately about her desire to see social mobility increase in the United Kingdom.
Speaking after a lecture at De Monfort University, she said: “getting on in life should not just be the preserve of the very rich.”
The lecture, called “Social Mobility: Where next”? was about how every child should fulfill their potential regardless of their social and economic background.
She said that investing in the child’s early years was critical to their future educational attainment.
“When I was Director of the Maternity Alliance charity, I did a lot of work around early years which is critical in shaping a child’s later life chances. By the time, kids reach the age of eight, less talented put better off kids are doing better than really talented, poorer kids,” she said.
She said that universities must do more to encourage students from the poorest households to attend university.
“There is a lot more that universities can do to reach students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who we know do incredibly well at university – if they get the chance.
She added: “They may not always get the best A-Level grades, but when they get to university they often outperform the children from much better off families.”
When asked about whether she is concerned that politics is dominated by public school educated, Oxbridge graduates, Ms Kendall said: “It is a problem if people who make decisions which affect our lives are from a narrow background.
“The danger is that they do not understand the lives of other groups of people, and can possibly make poor decisions.
“Alan Milburn’s report about social mobility talked about how if a student knows other doctors and lawyers, or their parents do, then they can secure work placements in these professions, whereas someone without connections will find it difficult to find work placements.”
END
Rewarding failure?
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Student magazine for De Montfort University: Demon
Three years later and we are witnessing the award of huge bonuses to senior bankers, yet many small to medium sized enterprises cannot obtain credit from these banks. So, are large banks not meeting their responsibilities to their customers and wider society after being rescued by the taxpayer? It would appear not.
In August 2010, the Daily Mail reported that despite HSBC making profits of £7 billion, the bank admitted that they had not lent credit to enough viable businesses in the past 12 months.
In December 2010, Royal Bank of Scotland said that they wanted to pay cash bonuses of up to £50,000 for its senior investment bankers. It is scandalous that the bankers are thanking the taxpayers for their generosity through greater bonus payments and restricting the access of credit to businesses.
BBC Panorama investigation, “Carry On Banking!” explained how the senior executives of these banks when they collapsed, and had not suffered as a result of their failure. Then RBS chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin left the company with a pension of £8.3 million, and was employed as a senior adviser for international architect firm, RMJM. Equally, former RBS deputy chief executive Gordon Pell received a pension of £13.5 million when he retired, and is now employed by Coutts, a UK private banking company owned by RBS.
The lack of deterrence against risk taking in the financial industry was expressed by Geraint Anderson, best-selling author of Cityboy. He said that if a banker placed a bet and won, he/she would keep a portion of the bet “as a bonus.” Likewise, if he/she placed a bet and they lost, their pay packet for that month would be unaffected. The irresponsible decisions of a minority of greedy investment bankers and hedge fund traders have affected the majority of their responsible colleagues.
Over the past two years, 20,000 people have been made redundant at Lloyds Banking Group. Angela and Stephen Robson were one of those people who lost their jobs. Losing their jobs caused the couple to endured sleepless nights, and led to them cancelling Christmas. “We had to make sacrifices,” Stephen told reporter Mark Daly in the documentary. On average, Stephen was applying for up to 25 jobs a week but a year later and neither has found work.
The coalition government has sought to curb bankers’ bonuses by introducing a permanent bank levy on bank balance sheets that could generate £2.5 billion a year from 2012. Business Secretary Vince Cable told the BBC’s Andrew Marr that if banks do not curb bonus payments then the government can take action against the banks through “some form of taxation.” Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that the government “will not stand idly by” if government owned banks like RBS do not increase lending to businesses and reduce the size of bonus payments.
In reality there is very little that the government can do to prevent banks paying out excessive bonuses and stop risk taking.
The British economy is heavily dependent on the financial services industry, as according to the British Bankers Association (BBA) it pays 10% of all tax paid to the Treasury.
It is doubtful that the government can legislate to force these banks to set aside credit to lend to businesses. What a pity that there was no clause in the bailout deal to defer bonuses in the medium term and set aside a fund to lend to businesses.
It seems that senior bankers will continue to receive no punishment for their excessive risk taking. Will Hutton,executive vice-chair of the Work Foundation was right when he claimed “unless there was really substantial change” he would not be surprised if another financial crisis occurred within 25 years. The sooner that our government invests in re building our manufacturing sector and developing our biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, perhaps they will not flinch taking tougher action against the banks, who will not be able to hold the British economy hostage.
In December 2010, Chancellor George Osborne and Vince Cable met chief executives who manage Britain’s largest banks to discuss how winter bonus payments can be reduced.
I was struck by Santander CEO Ana Patricia Botin’s statement that a commitment on small businesses can be made in return for “leniency on pay.” It is becoming increasingly unfortunate that where the banks are concerned, there really is no punishment for failure.
END
What’s in Store For Life After Uni?
Samson Dada looks into life after University and wonders whether we’ll be better off than our parents, or whether our living standards could be even worse.
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Student magazine for De Montfort University: Demon
Children who were the first in their family to attend university would make their parents believe that they would enjoy a more prosperous life than they did. In President Barack Obama’s Oval Office address on August 31st about the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, he also spoke about “Americans who have fought to see that the lives of our children are better than our own.” He speaks not only as President, but as a father of two daughters Malia, 12 and Sasha, 9 and firmly believes that the living standards of each generation should be better than the generations that preceded them.
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the global economic downturn has left over 2 million Britons unemployed which begs the question: Will we face worst living standards than our parents?
In July of this year, a report by the Higher Education Institute showed that unemployment among graduates under 24 rose by 25%. More people are graduating from university to find that they are competing with hundreds of other applicants for one job vacancy, and a degree is not enough to secure the job of their choice.
Jean Girling, a 75-year-old pensioner who featured in BBC News Online Spending Review series ahead of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review on Wednesday October 20, said that her granddaughter had to settle for a position in a supermarket despite graduating from university with a double first in English. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with working in a supermarket, my mother works in a supermarket, but someone with such an outstanding degree should hope to work in a career like journalism, public relations or teaching for example.
Then there is the housing market. Deposits for first-time buyers are very expensive. A typical deposit is up to 25 per cent of the price of a property. So for instance if you had to provide a 25 per cent deposit and the cost of the property was £150,000 you would need to pay a £37,500 deposit.
The reality is that only a minority of young adults with affluent parents who can contribute towards their child’s deposit will get the opportunity to own a property. Gone are the days when parents could pay £80,000 – £90,000 for a three bedroom semi or detached house and watch its value significantly increase. It is very unlikely that our generation will be able to own a property that they can use as a financial asset and something that they can pass on to their children.
Rising food prices have meant that those on lower incomes have had to choose between food and electricity. In August of this year, The Daily Mail reported that shoppers were paying up to 58 per cent more for basic grocery items, compared to what they were paying three years ago.
This year, the Guardian told the story of Holly Billen, 26 and eight months pregnant who had to seek handouts from a food bank in order to save money to pay for her fuel bills. I am not suggesting that all young adults will be placed in this Catch 22 situation, but we are certainly not experiencing a post-World War II global economic boom.
Former Conservative British Prime Minister Harold McMillan famously said at a rally in Bedford that “most of our people have never had it so good.”
It will be a long time before our generation can say these words again.
END
Child support debt owed by constituency
Nearly £4bn is owed across the country in child maintenance support. Find out the figures where you live.
Friday 16 July 2010
The Guardian
Gingerbread, the single parent charity, has described the level of child maintenance debt across the country as “truly shocking” after collating figures on how much child maintenance is owed in every Parliamentary constituency.
Nationally, £3.7bn was owed in child maintenance arrears as of March 2010, with Grimsby, Milton Keynes and Blackpool topping the list of constituencies where debts are highest.
More than £1bn of this owned money is deemed to be collectable, but Gingerbread says the Child Support Agency has no target for 2010-11 for the collection of arrears.
Fiona Weir, chief executive of Gingerbread, says:
"The scale of child maintenance owed to children is truly shocking, when so many single parent families struggle financially. In every parliamentary constituency (Northern Ireland excepted), at least £1 million of child maintenance is owed. This rises to over £10 million in the top six constituencies. This is much-needed money which would be helping pay for items such as children’s clothes, school meals, trips and activities and childcare.
"Ultimately the responsibility for paying child maintenance rests with the non-resident parent, but the Child Support Agency has to do its job too in collecting debts and enforcing payment. The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (which is in charge of the CSA) has not set a debt recovery target for the current year, and failed to meet its own target last year. We are calling for a debt recovery target to be set as a matter of urgency."
Last year, the Child Support Agency (CSA) collected £147 million of arrears against a target of £170 million.
END
A report from insurer LV= says one in five people approaching retirement are reducing their pension savings by more than £300 a month
Thursday 15th July 2010
The Guardian
Cash-strapped people over the age of 50 have reduced their pension savings by almost £18bn in the past 12 months, according to latest research.
The annual State of Retirement report, compiled by insurer LV=, shows that one in five of those approaching retirement have decreased their retirement savings by an average of £324 a month. This is more than double the £137 average reduction in retirement savings made by 20% of over-50s last year.
The report also found that fewer imminent retirees over 50 are saving sufficient amounts to maintain a comfortable lifestyle once they finish work, with one in three pinning their retirement hopes on economic recovery. The figure is even higher for the over-60s with 46% hoping for a substantial recovery in the UK to improve their retirement prospects.
Women approaching retirement appear to be feeling the effects of the recession and credit crunch more, with 23% cutting their monthly retirement savings by an average of £372, or £4,464 a year. In contrast, one in five men approaching retirement have reduced their retirement savings by an average of £265 a month, or £3,180 a year.
LV=, the UK's biggest friendly society, has urged tomorrow's retirees to look at alternatives to boost their income. Ray Chinn, head of pensions at LV=, said: "Britain's over-50s have already seen their pension pots damaged by the economic crisis, and now many appear to be diverting still more money away from retirement saving to deal with immediate pressures.
"We urge those already close to retirement not to give up on saving at such a crucial time. These days there are far more financial options available as you reach retirement age – everything from drawing an income while your pension stays invested to releasing equity from your home."
Increased savings, decreased awareness
Despite some improvement in equity markets over the past year, only one in 12 of Britain's non-retired over-50s have increased their pensions savings over this period.
People's awareness of their likely future income has fallen since last year when 63% felt they had a grasp on how much they would have to live on in retirement. Now only four in 10 of those approaching retirement have a "fair" or "good" idea of how much income they will have when they retire. A further 14% say they will be totally reliant on the state to support them financially.
The main factors behind this are the rising cost of food and utilities (cited by 74%), the lower interest rates available on their savings (66%), and the effects of the ongoing economic downturn.
Despite their concerns about financial security in retirement, just one in five over-50s have consulted an independent financial adviser for retirement planning advice. The number of over-50s going it alone with their retirement planning has increased 7% since the first LV= survey in 2008, with nearly two-thirds admitting they have never sought advice about their retirement.
Opinium Research questioned 1,557 British adults over the age of 50 for the survey. The UK's over-50s population is 21,573,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.
END
First Dizzee Rascal, now the British urban scene is getting crowded
First Dizzee Rascal, now the British urban scene is getting crowded
Homegrown acts led by Tinchy Stryder and Taio Cruz are making sure British talent is recognised in the US
Tuesday 13 July 2010
The new wave
Tinie Tempah Pass Out was a No 1 and sold almost half a million copies. His second single, Frisky, hit No 2 in June, and his debut album, The Disc-Overy, is set to be released in September.
JLS The X-Factor-created boyband sold just under 1m of their self-titled debut. The Club is Alive, taken from their second album, went straight to the top of the charts this week.
Plan B The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B, real name Ben Drew, went straight to No 1 in April and won plaudits for its soul-influenced sound. He will return to hip-hop with his next album, The Ballad of Belmarsh.
Professor Green The east London rapper, who has released Just be Good to Green with pop star Lily Allen this week, is hotly tipped to be one of the biggest urban stars of 2010.
Devlin Signed to Island, the grime artist Devlin was named as one of the BBC's Sound of 2010 finalists. His first album is due in the autumn
END
Police investigate attempted murders at T in the Park festival
Two 20-year-old men found with serious abdominal injuries and woman is sexually assaulted
Monday 12 July 2010
T in the Park, the biggest outdoor music festival in Scotland, was at the centre of an attempted murder investigation today after an attack on two men, a sexual assault and an unrelated death.
Two 20-year-old men were found with serious abdominal injuries on a walkway between the main arena and the festival campsite at about 11.50pm yesterday. Three men, all in their 20s, have been arrested.In a separate incident, David Catto, from Newtonhill, near Aberdeen, collapsed on Friday night as he made his way back from the festival arena to a campsite. The cause of death is unknown. His death was described by T in the Park organiser, Geoff Ellis, as a tragedy.
In a third incident, a woman was pushed over and sexually assaulted near the bus parking area on Saturday.
Detective Inspector Steve Bissett, of Tayside police, appealed for witnesses to come forward.
"It's possible some campers may have captured vital images of the incident on cameras or mobile phones, and a number of others will have witnessed the assault.
"I would urge anyone who witnessed these incidents or anyone who may have photographs or footage to get in touch with us." Police said three men were helping with inquiries.
There has been criticism of the event on internet forums. On the E-festivals website, Rexclark wrote: "The event was getting worse every year." Keyinboyle82 described "the campsite as full of total idiots, and it's been getting worse for the last 5 years".
Tayside police made 64 arrests, up from 59 last year.
Brendán Burton, who was at the festival, criticised the standard of security. "Security should be better, whether they employ more staff, or perhaps just better staff who are willing to help or look after festival goers," he said.
T in the Park has not responded to the criticisms.
END
Political exclusive
December 2009 edition
Sixth form college magazine: Xaverian X-press
In August 2009, I secured an exclusive interview with Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party.
Here are excerpts from my interview.
Will you be committing the party to any new policies at the Liberal Democrat conference?
It’s a democratic forum, and I can’t be certain what will or won’t be voted through, but I hope we’ll be passing a lot of important new policies. We’ll be looking at ways to protect consumers from greedy banks and businesses, ways of generating electricity from tidal energy and at protecting our civil liberties. There will also be policies on stopping MPs abusing their expenses, improving our rail network and better support for our armed forces.
What are your thoughts on MPs who ‘tweet’ during sessions in the House of Commons?
I prefer to concentrate on the debate. Twitter’s better when you’re out and about. Parliament is on the television if people want to know what’s going on.
Gordon Brown’s continued mantra in PMQs is that “The Liberal Democrats have no policy for jobs, no policy for growth and no policy for housing.” Is this the case and is the Prime Minister telling the truth when he says this?
The Liberal Democrats are the only party with a clear plan to get British people back to work, rebuild the economy and build the homes people need. We’re the only ones ready to do things differently by moving away from the mistakes that got us into this mess. We want an economy that’s not just centered in London and on financial services, but strong throughout the country. And we want to build growth and jobs out of going green, so we can stop dangerous climate change.
Out of Labour and the Conservatives, which party is closer to the ideals and values of the Liberal Democrats?
I think they’re closer to each other! Both are fundamentally parties of the establishment who won’t change anything fundamental about the way our country works and that’s why nothing ever really changes when they’re in government. Liberal Democrats are different – we want a fresh start, a better way of doing things and an end to the same old mistakes.
Your party have highlighted that the recession has increased the number of people on unemployment benefits which has caused the number of cases of mental illnesses such as depression to rise. Why are the Liberal Democrats opposed to renewing Trident when this will send people to work?
We do not need the comprehensive Trident nuclear weapons system to protect Britain – and at a cost of up to £100bn, it is far too expensive for our needs. The government should make strategic defence decisions on the basis of protecting the country, not to make jobs for people. A far better way to create jobs for unemployed people is to invest in building new homes and renewable energy, so that we can build a new, green economy. That’s a better and more sustainable solution.
Do you believe we will still be in Afghanistan in 10, 15 or 20 years?
We could be if we don’t sort out the political strategy for building up the Afghan government, police and army. That’s why I’ve been so outspoken in arguing for better co-ordination between international forces, governments and aid agencies, so that the work our troops do leads to long-lasting peace. If we are to stop Afghanistan from being a haven for terrorism and drug traffickers, all nations need to work together.
Do you get a lot of young people visiting your surgeries?
I get a whole mix of people with all sorts of questions and problems. It’s a great way to really keep in touch with what matters to people, and often help get their issues sorted out, too. Sheffield has two big universities, so I often meet a lot of students locally too.
Many teenagers, including myself will be voting for the first time in a general election that carries huge importance for the future of this country. How can Nick Clegg ‘get down with the kids’?
I’m in my early 40s, and I don’t think it’s any use pretending otherwise. I think it’s pretty patronising to teenagers when politicians try to be ‘cool’, as if teenagers don’t have the intellect or capacity to engage with them on adult terms. I spend a lot of time out and about in the country, and my favourite thing to do is hold an open forum meeting where people can ask me any question they like. Some of the best discussions have been when we’ve had public meetings at schools or colleges and young people come along. It’s corny to say, but young people are the country’s future and I think engaging with them is one of the most important things I can do – and that means taking them seriously, not trying to be “down with the kids!”
END
The power of enrichment activities
October 2008 edition
Sixth form college magazine: Xaverian X-press
For the majority of us, our college years are spent working on that latest coursework project, homework assignment or revising for those dreaded exams. However, putting aside some time to commit yourself to just one extra curriculum activity will really help to shape your college experience.
For me, it was the college and schools’ public speaking competition. Yes, you have probably heard a similar cliché before, but signing up last year was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
Last September we were encouraged to sign up for as many activities as possible, because ‘it would look good on our UCAS forms.’ I tried not to be someone who would sign up for every activity and not be able to commit to them. But I had a burning desire to sign up for public speaking. Addressing a crowd with a message that has meaning and purpose has always been something that I have aspired to do, and public speaking would give me the platform to do this.
Preparation for the Rotarians’ Public Speaking Semi-Final was quite intense. I needed to write a speech that a varied audience could relate to. Choosing a topic can sometimes feel more of a challenge than writing the speech itself! I decided to deliver my speech entitled ‘Education Maintenance Allowance’ that I had delivered in the college competition. My argument was that the allowance system was flawed because there was an assumption by the government that all parents earning above £30,000 would support their child financially.
On the night of the semi-final at Burnage High School For Boys, the other competitors in the senior category were: My Upper-Sixth colleague Becci Raine, with her speech ‘Does the ends justify the means?’; Loreto Sixth Form College pair Dominic Biddle and Addy Dada, St Bedes College David Callaghan and two students from Manchester Grammar Sixth Form College.
I was the third person to deliver my speech. I was feeling slightly nervous but once I was standing in front of the audience, my nerves began to subside. Overall, I had delivered the speech fairly well, remembering large parts of the speech, but still occasionally having to peer down at my notes. As I walked to my seat, I felt quietly confident that memorable sound bites like “What EMA is doing to the value of education is a bit like what prostitution is doing for love” would get me through to the final.
All junior and senior semi-finalists were told to wait in the hall pending the judges’ announcement of the four finalists for the two categories. The refreshments were disappointing! Some speakers tried to convince others around them that they would be unconcerned if they failed to reach the final, but their true feelings were pretty evident.
The senior semi-finalists were kept in suspense a little longer, since the junior finalists were announced first. It wasn’t much of a surprise that the polished David and dramatic Dominic were the first speakers to reach the final. Thus, there were two more places left. “SAMSON DADA,” one of the judges announced, however I did not let myself get too excited; I was looking ahead to the final.
Addy Dada was the last name to be called out and both of us would be faced with repetitive questions of whether we were related. Just to clear that up, we are not related.
On the way home, Mr Birch and I were discussing possible speech topics for the final. He suggested that I could write a speech about the importance of names.
A few weeks later, I had written ‘What’s in a name?’ There were nine points of discussion in the speech: Speaking directly to parents; why I might have been given my name; the meaning of my first name and how it can be ‘humored’ by others; how I fail to live up to my biblical namesake; the cultural movement of Dadaism; the link between Dadaism and my interests; the meaning of someone’s name does not necessarily mirror their personality; outrageous names of celebrity babies and the importance of parents choosing the right name for their child.
Practice sessions during lunchtimes and free periods had allowed me to work on perfecting pronunciation of key words in the speech, varying my delivery and learning as much of the speech as possible.
Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport was the venue for the final, with over 100 guests in attendance. There were about 5-8 dinner tables, each with the names cards of the speakers, their guests and members of the public who had paid £25 to hear us speak! Mr. Birch pointed out the lectern to me and explained that the absence of a microphone and the positioning of the lectern meant I had to project my voice very well so all sides of the room could hear me. It was also vital to connect with the audience too.
The three-course meal was very appetising. The starter was asparagus soup, followed by Etruscan Style Lamb and rounded off with lemon meringue pie, coffee and mints.
Like the semi-final, I was the third person to speak. I was very pleased that I had projected my voice well, maintained eye contact, looked at my notes only for the last few lines of the speech and received some laughs from the audience for my humorous content.
Before the presentation of the prizes, each speaker was given feedback by the adjudicator, Dr Christine Smith. The winner of the junior competition was Charlotte Ward, who had the audience in stitches with ‘You make me sick’. I was described as an “accomplished speaker” but the speech could have included more variety. David Callaghan, a frequent participant in public speaking contests walked away with the senior title.
I could not help feeling a little upset that the trophy was not heading to Xaverian, but putting things into perspective it was a great achievement that I had reached the final in my first ever public speaking competition, and the £25 book voucher was not bad either.
Trust me; take a look at the enrichment activities available, you never know just how far they may take you.
END
We’ve settled in
Thursday 27 August 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Exciting times lie ahead for Manchester Settlement after the centre moved into its new home in The New Roundhouse on Ashton Old Road, Openshaw.
Relocation was decided once workers realised that the previous building on Bosworth Street had insufficient space to allow all of their projects to be carried out.
An official opening day in June was attended by more than 100 people, and the building was named after the settlements original home, The Roundhouse on Every Street in Ancoats.
Play schemes will be held during Easter and summer holidays with a maximum intake of 50 children aged between six and 12 years.
The first play scheme at the new building proved to be a success, with more than 130 children registering and there has been a full capacity on numerous occasions. Children have visited Eureka, Blackpool Zoo and Camelot.
Clare McGlone of Manchester Settlement, said: “The settlement has been helping people in East Manchester since 1895. Our aim is to continue to help local people realise their own potential and make better lives for themselves and their families.”
“We are busy looking at other after school activities for children – so watch this space.
“We have received a lot of interest from community members and residents; everyone wants to know who we are, what we do and what is on offer at the new building. We have asked residents to come forward with suggestions of activities that they want to do at the New Roundhouse, we have had a very good response and hope to have a variety of creative, educational, health related and fun activities on offer in the coming months.
“Young people who attend our projects and activities are happy that they have the opportunity to be involved in the new roundhouse, as the building is modern and bright and is a great space for them."
The Settlement is a registered Independent school and as a result of its funding for adult education, there are vacancies for teaching assistant and adult tutors to deliver a variety of sessions.
Interested applicants can call Clare on 0161 614 8448 to apply for any one of these positions and to receive more information.
See www.manchestersettlement.org.uk
END
Letter: The right to have children?
Thursday 13 August 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Expanding family sizes contribute to an ever growing population. Parents who want their children to enter higher education and have good jobs may find that having excessive numbers of children will create a greater demand for these institutions and on the jobs market.
I am not saying do not have any kids at all, but there are so many parents who cannot look after themselves, let alone provide for children. It almost seems silly how you need identification to buy an 18 rated DVD, but you do not need a licence to become a parent.
Chris and Wendy Jeub from Monument, Colorado has 15 children five boys and 10 girls. Apparently they belong to a ‘Quiverfull movement’ that rejects birth control. “Wendy and I believe God wants us to trust him in our family planning.” This is the type of ridiculous statement that makes one question the motives behind the reasons that man and woman choose to have children. Well, the family now has a US TV series for their efforts.
I am not sure if it is fair to bring children into the world should the child have to suffer from material and cultural deprivation, and endure the bullying, mental and psychological effects that can come from scarcity?
It was your choice to have a baby. Perhaps a limit on how many children parents have may need to be looked at. Have one child, two or maybe even three, but do you really need more?
END
New parking powers for councils
Tuesday 21 July 2009
Manchester Evening News
Parking bosses now no longer have to put up warning notices to be able to issue the penalty notices.
Blocking the road by double parking, and blocking a dropped kerb intended to help wheelchair users and people with prams cross, are both offences in the Highway Code.
But until now councils have only been able to issue fines if there are either yellow lines or a warning notice.
The new powers could also be used to fine people who block a dropped kerb to a house or a drive, but in these cases the homeowner would need to ask the council to take action.
The change in the rules was welcomed by Coun Derek Antrobus, head of planning at Salford council.
He warned: “Parking attendants will be looking to enforce all these extended powers.”
Those who flout the rules will get a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
END
Helping people into employment
Thursday 9 April 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
A community-based resource centre is helping people gain important skills and qualifications to get into employment.
The Waterloo Centre, based in Cheetham Hill, is a centre occupied primarily by three non-profit organisations; CS Plus, First Asian Trust Limited (a registered charity) and Manchester Asian Care Limited.
There are three main organisations currently delivering a range of different services for the community including Employment, Learning and Domiciliary Care Services.
Basat Mahmood, project manager for the Waterloo Centre, said: “FAST JobNET, is a new deal for disabled people and providing job brokers who support disabled people on Incapacity Benefit and other health related benefits into sustainable employment.
“Our services include one-to-one help with CV making, job search, interview technique, Construction Skills and Certificate Skills cards, Security Industry Authority cards and in-work support, which is delivered across Manchester.
“CS Plus provides learning support including Learndirect facilities, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), Sewing and Design and Construction Skills and Certificate Skills courses.
Manchester Asian Care Limited provides domiciliary care services to older and disabled people in Manchester, Trafford and Bury.”
All organisations based at the Waterloo Centre market their services across Greater Manchester concentrating on the most deprived wards in Trafford, Salford and Manchester.
They are particularly active in areas such as Old Trafford, Broughton, Ordsall, Cheetham, Harpurhey, Crumpsall, Moston and Blackley.
Local people in these inner city wards are primarily long term unemployed with few or no qualifications.
They have been disadvantaged in schooling, work experience and skills training.
New communities have come into these areas including refugee communities (Somalia, Eritrean, Nigerian and other West African communities), as well as the new EU enlargement communities of Poles and Lithuanians.
Some of what their collective provision focuses on is supporting the learners’ progression into additional learning; preparing and supporting people on incapacity benefit; lone parent benefit and other health related benefits on their journey into employment.
Since 2006-2008, the Waterloo Centre has been responsible for engaging 723 new learners and 328 people on Incapacity Benefit or health related benefits.
They have provided information advice and guidance to 877 customers; securing sustained employment for 541 people and achieving 430 skills for life test passes in literacy and numeracy.
The centre is open Monday to Friday; 9am to 6pm and is fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), along with five accessible and 30 parking spaces.
There is also a fully accessible Learndirect ICT suite, including induction loop system, audible/visual fire alarm, large text software; text to sound conversion. There are hot/cold refreshments facilities.
The centre is easily accessible by bus, metrolink and car.
Mr Mahmood said: “To reinforce our delivery and commitment to making sustainable change in these areas, over the next three years we will open new resource centres in Old Trafford and Manchester (Harpurhey) and Salford.
“In 2009/10 the Waterloo Centre will continue to make improvements to facilitate our customers’ journey into employment. For example, we will be improving crèche facilities, enhancing the ICT suite, and having closer integration with Learndirect.
“We will also purchase and refurbish the first of the new additional resource centres in Harpurhey, the most deprived ward in Manchester and the third most deprived in England.”
END
Obama should do more over Cuba
Thursday 27 March 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Secretary for the Manchester Cuban Solidarity Campaign group Mark Burton has expressed doubts about the impact of President Barack Obama’s decision to lift some sanctions on Cuba.
“At the moment Obama is not lifting this cruel and illegal blockade. He is merely lifting some elements,” he said.
Obama should do more over Cuba“Those that affect expatriate Cubans who wish to send money to families or who wish to visit home. However in both cases restrictions look like they will remain. Secondly they are restrictions on those that affect US farmers who wish to sell foodstuffs to this natural regional market,” he added.
Cubans can now visit America annually instead of once every three years and the President has also dropped a requirement that Havana pay cash in advance for US food imports.
This provision was included in the $410 billion spending bill that Mr Obama signed into law.
A move seen as an indication of Obama’s willingness to improve relations with Cuba worsened by the Bush administration.
Relations between the two countries first deteroriated on 7 February 1962 when President John F Kennedy imposed an economic and trade sanction embargo on Cuba after Fidel Castro confiscated US property on the island.
“We need to remind ourselves of what the blockade means- and we must not forget that it was strengthened by George Bush senior and Bill Clinton.”
Mr Burton pointed out specific details of the blockade.
“The blockade actually means that no Cuban products or raw materials may enter the US, US companies and foreign subsidiaries are banned from trade with Cuba and Cuba must pay cash up front when importing US food.
“As well as this, ships which dock in Cuba may not dock in the US for six months, US citizens are banned from spending money or receiving gifts in Cuba without special permission, in effect a travel ban and US residents with family on the island are limited to one visit every three years.”
He revealed that despite the daily hardships that Cubans face, they are better off than if they lived in comparable countries such as Jamaica and Dominican Republic and better off than many in the so called developed countries.
“Life expectancy at birth in Cuba is 76 years old for males, and 80 years old for females. Manchester’s life expectancy is 71.2 years old for males and 77.6 years old for females.
“Harpurhey’s life expectancy for males is 67.6 years old and 75.4 for females.
“The UK’s life expectancy for males is 77 years old, while females live on average until 81 years old. The United States life expectancy is 75 years old and 80 years old respectively.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s life expectancy for males and females is 69 years old and 75 years old.
“In other words Cuba is almost identical to the UK as a whole and better than its neighbours USA and Jamaica, the one a far richer country and the other one of comparable income but without the welfare system that there is in Cuba.”
He also assessed Mr Obama’s first few months as President.
“He has made some predictable but disappointing moves in the intensification of the war in Afghanistan and full backing for Israel.
“On the plus side, Guantanamo Bay will be closed (but USA will still use detention centres in other countries and the US will hold onto this piece of Cuban territory).
“There has been some reduction in the aggression against Cuba and at last recognition of the urgent task of responding to climate change, although we will have to wait to see if the response will be anything like sufficient.”
END
Paper or paperless?
March 2009 edition
Sixth form college magazine: Xaverian X-press
Is that newspaper worth binning or reading? Is MTV base really a better alternative than Sky News? There are various ways of keeping up to date with current affairs; whether it is through listening to news broadcasts, reading online articles or buying newspapers. However, it seems that not enough members of the population are aware of events home and abroad. The indirect initiative to encourage more people to read newspapers enables you to pick up a free edition of the Metro and the Manchester Evening News in Piccadilly Gardens, and in various places around Manchester. The hope is that more people will be actively involved in finding out what is going on in the world. A common reason for such ignorance of daily news is time constraints. Well, that is a reasonable justification. After all there are only so many hours in a day. Some may also just not have any interest in the news. The cynics may tell you that the news produces nothing but bad news- A teenager getting stabbed one day, shootings in London and bombs being set off in conflicts that civilians are forced to bear the brunt of. News is not about finding the most negative stories, but it is about bringing the truth to the people and allowing them to gain a knowledge and understanding of it.
The Plastic Logic’s factory in Dresden is creating an alternative method for reading the news. An electronic reader (Pictured) is being tested that if successful may change how we read our news. Technology is an unbelievable revolution but if we suddenly find that the only ways we can read news is by pulling out our e-readers, then surely this kills the traditions of the newspaper industry. Nothing can compensate for the texture of the newspaper when you open it and turn the pages. Could you buy another e-reader as easily as a newspaper if you misplaced it? Then again an e-reader would eliminate the problems I get when we are reading a newspaper and parts of it end up in the direction of the passenger sitting beside us!
This was not something I could figure out myself. Paper or paperless? Which is the best and most appropriate form of media? I spoke to Cleland Thom (Pictured), one of the UK’s leading journalism trainers, and director of Cleland Thom Journalism Training Effective Online Courses.
He is an expert on the media; from broadcast journalism to speed-reading. Interviewing Margaret Thatcher, yes the ‘Iron Lady’ herself and finding his way onto the Arsenal bus after one of their many FA Cup Final appearances are just two of an extensive list of things he has done. The man who made me his youngest ever mentor student on his premier gold mentoring scheme; I could think of no one better to ask.
When asked on his opinion of just what the future is for media he said that he “thinks there will always be a place for printed newspapers. But there will be far fewer of them – the nationals will survive, but many locals and magazines will switch to online presence. The recession is already forcing many closures, and the titles that do survive will be forced to go online because it’s cheaper and easier to produce. Also, the global warming lobby will eventually force the closure of many printed products. He goes onto to say that he “prefers printed papers – partly because they are 100% reliable. I can put one in my bag and guarantee it’ll be there wherever and whenever I want to read it. That’s important to me. Even with all the latest technology, the web is unreliable, servers go down, pix are too big to download and you can’t use it on planes or in lifts or on the tube!”
Cleland says that journalists have more to tell readers than ever before. “From a journalist’s point of view, there’s never been more news around than there is now – locally, nationally and internationally. Economic crisis, global warming, terrorism, social unrest, wars, crime, and natural disasters most weeks – I wish I was a young journalist again, I’d have a field day! News isn’t dying.”
He admits that news can only carry out its function of holding people accountable and bringing them to justice “if there is a journalist who has the time, skills and perseverance to get to the truth.”
Meanwhile, he has some choice words for those who remain cynical about the media suggesting that “if they don’t like it – don’t buy it. Or maybe go and live in somewhere that has a State controlled press?”
In an ever-growing competitive industry where job cuts and redundancies are happening left, right and centre, he says that his business is doing very well. “We’re actually growing at the moment, more rapidly than we’ve ever done. But we cannot take anything for granted. I’ve always said that one person’s storm is another person’s chance to sell umbrellas. And we’re selling quite a few at the moment.”
Whether the media is paper based or paperless, one thing’s for sure- it’s not going to disappear.
Obama should do more over Cuba
Thursday 27 March 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
“At the moment Obama is not lifting this cruel and illegal blockade. He is merely lifting some elements,” he said.
Obama should do more over Cuba“Those that affect expatriate Cubans who wish to send money to families or who wish to visit home. However in both cases restrictions look like they will remain. Secondly they are restrictions on those that affect US farmers who wish to sell foodstuffs to this natural regional market,” he added.
Cubans can now visit America annually instead of once every three years and the President has also dropped a requirement that Havana pay cash in advance for US food imports.
This provision was included in the $410 billion spending bill that Mr Obama signed into law.
A move seen as an indication of Obama’s willingness to improve relations with Cuba worsened by the Bush administration.
Relations between the two countries first deteroriated on 7 February 1962 when President John F Kennedy imposed an economic and trade sanction embargo on Cuba after Fidel Castro confiscated US property on the island.
“We need to remind ourselves of what the blockade means- and we must not forget that it was strengthened by George Bush senior and Bill Clinton.”
Mr Burton pointed out specific details of the blockade.
“The blockade actually means that no Cuban products or raw materials may enter the US, US companies and foreign subsidiaries are banned from trade with Cuba and Cuba must pay cash up front when importing US food.
“As well as this, ships which dock in Cuba may not dock in the US for six months, US citizens are banned from spending money or receiving gifts in Cuba without special permission, in effect a travel ban and US residents with family on the island are limited to one visit every three years.”
He revealed that despite the daily hardships that Cubans face, they are better off than if they lived in comparable countries such as Jamaica and Dominican Republic and better off than many in the so called developed countries.
“Life expectancy at birth in Cuba is 76 years old for males, and 80 years old for females. Manchester’s life expectancy is 71.2 years old for males and 77.6 years old for females.
“Harpurhey’s life expectancy for males is 67.6 years old and 75.4 for females.
“The UK’s life expectancy for males is 77 years old, while females live on average until 81 years old. The United States life expectancy is 75 years old and 80 years old respectively.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s life expectancy for males and females is 69 years old and 75 years old.
“In other words Cuba is almost identical to the UK as a whole and better than its neighbours USA and Jamaica, the one a far richer country and the other one of comparable income but without the welfare system that there is in Cuba.”
He also assessed Mr Obama’s first few months as President.
“He has made some predictable but disappointing moves in the intensification of the war in Afghanistan and full backing for Israel.
“On the plus side, Guantanamo Bay will be closed (but USA will still use detention centres in other countries and the US will hold onto this piece of Cuban territory).
“There has been some reduction in the aggression against Cuba and at last recognition of the urgent task of responding to climate change, although we will have to wait to see if the response will be anything like sufficient.”
END
Paper or paperless?
March 2009 edition
Sixth form college magazine: Xaverian X-press
The Plastic Logic’s factory in Dresden is creating an alternative method for reading the news. An electronic reader (Pictured) is being tested that if successful may change how we read our news. Technology is an unbelievable revolution but if we suddenly find that the only ways we can read news is by pulling out our e-readers, then surely this kills the traditions of the newspaper industry. Nothing can compensate for the texture of the newspaper when you open it and turn the pages. Could you buy another e-reader as easily as a newspaper if you misplaced it? Then again an e-reader would eliminate the problems I get when we are reading a newspaper and parts of it end up in the direction of the passenger sitting beside us!
This was not something I could figure out myself. Paper or paperless? Which is the best and most appropriate form of media? I spoke to Cleland Thom (Pictured), one of the UK’s leading journalism trainers, and director of Cleland Thom Journalism Training Effective Online Courses.
He is an expert on the media; from broadcast journalism to speed-reading. Interviewing Margaret Thatcher, yes the ‘Iron Lady’ herself and finding his way onto the Arsenal bus after one of their many FA Cup Final appearances are just two of an extensive list of things he has done. The man who made me his youngest ever mentor student on his premier gold mentoring scheme; I could think of no one better to ask.
When asked on his opinion of just what the future is for media he said that he “thinks there will always be a place for printed newspapers. But there will be far fewer of them – the nationals will survive, but many locals and magazines will switch to online presence. The recession is already forcing many closures, and the titles that do survive will be forced to go online because it’s cheaper and easier to produce. Also, the global warming lobby will eventually force the closure of many printed products. He goes onto to say that he “prefers printed papers – partly because they are 100% reliable. I can put one in my bag and guarantee it’ll be there wherever and whenever I want to read it. That’s important to me. Even with all the latest technology, the web is unreliable, servers go down, pix are too big to download and you can’t use it on planes or in lifts or on the tube!”
Cleland says that journalists have more to tell readers than ever before. “From a journalist’s point of view, there’s never been more news around than there is now – locally, nationally and internationally. Economic crisis, global warming, terrorism, social unrest, wars, crime, and natural disasters most weeks – I wish I was a young journalist again, I’d have a field day! News isn’t dying.”
He admits that news can only carry out its function of holding people accountable and bringing them to justice “if there is a journalist who has the time, skills and perseverance to get to the truth.”
Meanwhile, he has some choice words for those who remain cynical about the media suggesting that “if they don’t like it – don’t buy it. Or maybe go and live in somewhere that has a State controlled press?”
In an ever-growing competitive industry where job cuts and redundancies are happening left, right and centre, he says that his business is doing very well. “We’re actually growing at the moment, more rapidly than we’ve ever done. But we cannot take anything for granted. I’ve always said that one person’s storm is another person’s chance to sell umbrellas. And we’re selling quite a few at the moment.”
Whether the media is paper based or paperless, one thing’s for sure- it’s not going to disappear.
END
Threat to our mail should be stamped out . . .
Thursday 12 March 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Last week, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson introduced a government Bill into the House of Lords to part privatise 30 per cent of the Royal Mail.
Lord Mandelson and many government ministers argue that privatisation is essential for the modernisation of the post office.
He told the BBC that new investment was sorely needed as Royal Mail “was in danger of running out of money.”
However, approximately 125 Labour MPs oppose the scheme. They have expressed concerns about full privatisation, job cuts and Labour breaking a campaign pledge to keep services in public ownership.
A total of 145 MPs have signed a Commons motion against the plan.
Labour MP for Manchester Blackley, Graham Stringer spoke at a rally in Albert Square organised by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in support of stopping the privatisation of the Royal Mail.
“There is absolutely no need to sell part of the Royal Mail off. One only has to have a look at other partial privations which show that the private sector gets the profits and the taxpayer gets the debt.
“We want modernisation not privatisation. It is ridiculous that the Royal Mail have to deliver their private sector competitors letters and in doing so they are being forced to subsidise them. If they didn’t have to subside their competitors an extra £100 million a year, this money could be used to improve the service.
“Peter Mandelson has done many good things for the Labour Party and the country, but he has got this one wrong.”
Harpurhey Councillor Paul Fairweather said: “All three Harpurhey councillors are 100 per cent behind the campaign to keep the Post Office public.
“We campaigned very hard to keep our sub post office on Rochdale Road and we would fight every inch to keep our main Harpurhey Post Office at Barnes Green.
“Our main post office provides an invaluable and important public service for the people of North Manchester.
“Most of the banks have pulled out of the Harpurhey and Collyhurst area so the post office is truly the ‘People’s Bank.’
Councillor Pat Karney echoed Fairweather’s sentiments. He said: “The Postal Service like any other body has to keep up to date and be responsive to customers.
“I don’t think that the privatisation of the water, utility and telephone service has brought great benefits to the consumer. Clearly the postal service has to take account of modern communications systems like email. I personally receive about 100 emails a day but I still receive about ten to fifteen letters. We need to lift the threat of privatisation and get everyone together, managers, staff and consumers, to plan for a modern public postal service.
People are not daft; they know that many changes have to be made with the growth of information technology. The local post office should be developed into the ‘people’s bank’ – it would be a better job than many of the present banks.”
Ancoats and Clayton councillor and City Council Deputy Leader Jim Battle said: “We expect the Royal Mail to provide a high quality affordable service, to secure employment and protect post office workers’ pension schemes.
We recognise that the trade unions and others are concerned that current Government proposals may undermine the Royal Mail and we urge the Government and MPs to carefully re-consider these plans and secure a viable future for this national asset.”
For more information log on to www.cwunorthwest.org
END
B of the Blog
Thursday 6 March 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
East Manchester Media Community Producer, David Kay says that B of the Blog is going from strength to strength.
This follows last week’s group of community reporters from east Manchester as reported in the Advertiser who stopped passers- by to ask them their own stories as their own tales were being shown on the big screen in Exchange Square; run by People’s Voice Media in partnership with the BBC.
B of the Blog gives local residents from Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw the opportunity to tell their stories online through images, audio or video.
Drop in sessions are held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Monday, meetings are held between 1:00- 4:00pm at the Grange, Beswick. While on Wednesday a two hour session from 10:00am- 12:00 noon takes place at The Wells Centre in Clayton, next to the Health Centre. The times of the Thursday and Friday sessions are 1:00- 3:00pm and 10:00am- 1:00pm at Victoria House, Openshaw and The Grange.
B of the Blog was recognised for its success after winning the Manchester Evening News blog of the week in December 2008.
The idea for B of the Blog came from Manchester Community Information Network (MCIN) who launched the Community Reporters Programme and through discussions.
David said that “there is a reference to B of the Bang which is a landmark in the area and something everyone in east Manchester has an opinion on!”
MCIN formed in 1993 with the key aims of finding gaps in information provision, bringing together information providers across sectors to reduce duplication and generate support for a co-ordinated strategy to deliver an electronic public information system to benefit the citizens of Manchester.
David says the main purpose of the project is to “allow people to tell their story online and improve their skills and self-confidence in the process that could lead to new opportunities.”
He added: “B of the Blog work with groups and individuals and run activities outside of our session times. We run drop in sessions, training sessions, and trips to the BBC, workshops, films shown on the big screen, work closely with all FM 96.9 community radio stations and take part in social events, parties and skill sharing.
“I really enjoy my role as East Manchester Media Community Producer. I get to work with a mix of people. No two days are the same and it’s just rewarding when local people think that they could get a job in the media. Learning new skills is equally as important.”
When I asked David, what his best moments in the job had been he said that they were “seeing people get their stories online, seeing a boost in their confidence and having them say they could do it.
“I also enjoyed the visits to BBC North West Tonight and seeing our videos on the Big Screen in Exchange Square.
“I would encourage more people to join B of the Blog because if they have a story then we can help them get their story online.”
For more information, you can write to:
East Manchester Media Community Producer
MCIN
The Grange Community Resource Centre
Pilgrim Drive
Manchester
M11 3TQ
Or alternatively, you can reach David at 0161 230 1430 or email david@mcin.net
Check out the blog: http://www.botheblog.com
Follow People’s Voice Media on Twitter: http://twitter.com/peoplesvoice
Subscribe to the People’s Voice Media podcast with iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=300550700
END
Helping to give kids a step up in life
Thursday 27 February 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Wright Robinson Sports College, Gorton, sends pupils who don’t attend school to Trinity House Community Resource Centre’s Schools Non-Attenders Project (SNAP) for support in continuing their education.
Young people who attend SNAP receive GCSE Mathematics and English, PHSE and Citizenship sessions and activities, plus work experience.
Paul Mattis, Community Development Manager of Trinity House Community Resource Centre, Rusholme, says Trinity House will be working more closely with the school in the coming months …
Tell our readers a little bit about yourself. How did you reach the post of community development manager at Trinity House?
During my youth I used to be one of the young men that are classed as socially excluded.
I grew up in the deprived communities of Manchester and would engage in anti-social behaviour with my peers. When a number of people wrote me off, in terms of employment, I was given an opportunity to become a trainee youth worker at the Hideaway Youth Project, Moss Side, working with young black men who were on the margins of, or directly involved in the drug and gang culture.
This is where my youth work career took off. After three years at the Hideaway I joined BHAF, now known as BHA (Black Health Agency), a sexual health development worker working with young men from BME (black and minority ethnic) communities with peer education being the delivery method. I then went on to be the coordinator of the project. After eight years at BHA I joined Trinity House Community Resource Centre as the Community Development Manager, which entails managing the organisations operational and strategic development.
What is the main aim of Trinity House Community Resource Centre?
Our mission is to provide a centre for the community to benefit children, young people, parents and carers by means of education, training, personal development and recreation.
What personally made you get involved with social and community work?
I suppose initially my involvement was because I needed a more positive means of employment than that which I was used to. For example, labouring work.
Once I started the post at the Hideaway I was exposed to a whole range of social issues which enabled me to explore and gain understanding of what living in deprived communities really means in terms of inequalities with regard to health, employment, housing, and education.
Obviously as manager you have quite a lot of responsibilities and many tasks to attend to. On a typical day, what does your job entail?
In general my role entails fundraising, working with our Board of Trustees to support the growth of the organisation, networking and forming partnership arrangements with other organisations, managing staff and their professional development, building relationships with service users.
Sometimes I make cups of tea for my staff and wash the cups, pick up litter when needed and open and close the building on the weekend occasionally. For me it’s about giving support wherever it’s needed.
Who else do you work with?
A number of the organisations and community groups that we work with are: Hideaway Youth Project, 42nd Street, ReelMcr, Anson Cabin, Birch Community Centre, City College, Connexions, Manchester Youth Service, SureStart, Manchester Primary Care Trust, Manchester Regeneration Team, Voluntary Youth Manchester and Rusholme & Fallowfield Forum.
The benefit of having such varied links with the highlighted organisations is that we can offer children, young people and their families a wide range of opportunities with regards to information, education, and access to health and social care support services and the opportunity to reshape services and policy development.
What types of youngsters do you work with?
We work with young people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds such as Caribbean, White British, Somali, Afghani, Asian and Arab. We work with school non-attendees, parents, toddlers and socially excluded groups of young people.
What methods or techniques do you use to encourage and work with them to change?
We use issue based and recreational activities to engage young people. We have a youth forum that plans, delivers and evaluates their own activities.
Over the last year we have been working with groups of young people to promote community cohesion. Our staff team reflects a number of our users in terms of ethnic origin and life experiences, which helps with the engagement process and building relationships.
Over time have you seen a difference between when youngsters arrive and when they leave?
Young people use the centre for different reasons.
I have seen changes in young people in a number of areas such as: different ethnic groups, who they once had conflicts with, building relationships; young people on the verge of leaving college stay in college; individuals who only used the centre for recreational purposes become more focused and join our youth forum as a means of supporting other young people.
Trinity House Community Resource Centre currently provides six services. Are you worried or envisage that finance will affect the continuity of these projects? Are you confident about funding prospects? Have you had to make financial or job cuts during these difficult economic times?
In relation to funding the young people themselves has amassed up to £10,000 for youth activities over the last year.
I have recently managed to secure funding to develop our youth programme over the next 2 years and will be looking to apply for funding to develop our early years provision. So the future is bright.
How have the local community reacted to the centre?
The community has generally reacted well to the centre and I am engaging them to identify what their needs are so they can use the centre more.
The local residents group is also supporting us in this.
What is your long term vision for the centre? Do you think similar centres will be built in local communities?
My vision for the centre is for it to be an all singing all dancing community provision.
We still have some distance to travel but we are getting there slowly but surely. Trinity House is the only centre of its kind in the Rusholme area and I don’t envisage any others being built in the near future.
Tell me more about the Youth Forum.
We encourage young people to take responsibility within the project and have a small team of young leaders who plan, deliver and evaluate their own activities.
Recently they planned and delivered a youth event to gauge what young people want from youth services. The forum features heavily in the future of Trinity House in terms of it being the managing body of all youth provision delivered from the centre.
Why should more people visit Trinity House Community Resource Centre?
Young people should use the centre because we are developing our provision so that they receive more positive outcomes for their personal and social development.
END
How important is junior football?
Thursday 30 January 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
In 2008, The Football Association put £200 million into a five-year vision for grassroots football called The FA National Game Strategy 2008-2012.
Grassroots football is all about giving youngsters an opportunity to take their interest in football further.
Inevitably, not all grassroots players will become professional footballers, but teamwork, leadership qualities friendships and playing and watching football in a safe environment are priceless.
I spoke to Moston Juniors chairman Paul Mitchell about the history of the club, what motivates him to continue running the club, the importance of grassroots football in producing professional footballers and whether the recession is affecting the club’s survival.
1. Can you give some history about Moston Juniors and its existence?
Moston Junior Football Club was formed in 1993. The club initially started with 3 teams and the U8s team won the Bluecoat Tournament in their first season. Presently the club has nineteen teams ranging from Under 7 to Under 16 years of age, with mixed, boys and girls teams included in this. The club has approximately 250 registered players across all age groups. In addition to this, there are other players (approximately 50) who are non registered and attend coaching sessions only.
2. What are the club’s objectives?
To provide facilities which can help meet the social, sporting, recreational and educational needs of different sections of the community. To create opportunities to achieve excellence in sport. To support young people in ways that will enable them to make a valued contribution to the local community.
3. When do you usually play your home fixtures?
Our mini soccer teams (from U7 through to U11) play on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Our girls teams play on Saturday mornings. Our 11-a-side teams play on both Sunday mornings and afternoons.
4. Where do you usually play your home fixtures?
Mini soccer games are played at Failsworth Soccer Centre. Girls fixtures are played at Chapel Road (Oldham) and Royton and Crompton astroturfs. 11-a-side games are played on Broadhurst Playing Fields and Heywood Sports Centre.
5. What motivates you to continue running the club?
I’ve no idea but if I find out I’ll let you know! Though in all seriousness, I want the children of Moston to be given the best opportunity to achieve things (either in sport or outside of it); for them to have an interest (hopefully football) that they start when they are 5 and are still interested at 55 (and beyond); I want to try and give them a sense of respect for the area that they live in and that as they grow older they can contribute to the area; but most of all I want to help them to grow up to be people that others want to be with and help them achieve friendships that will last forever.
6. What does the future hold for Moston Juniors?
The future is very strong for the club. This season we are in the running to win silverware at all levels. We are in a cup final for the U14 girls this Saturday; several of our teams are competing in the last 16 of the County Cup and the majority of our teams are at the top of their respective leagues. Further we are developing good partnerships with Bolton Wanderers and FC United that will help in the long term for player development. On the non-football side, stage one of our development of Ronald Johnson Playing Fields will be complete in July when we start to play on the new grass pitches (Football Foundation and Council funded). We are also hopeful later this year we will have got the funding in place to build an AstroTurf and clubhouse that will then make the facility at Ronald Johnson a grade 1 sporting venue.
7. For youngsters out there who are thinking of joining the club, tell me why more players should sign up with Moston Juniors?
The key aspect that I like to promote about the club is that they key aim of the club is to support young people in making a valued contribution to the local community. We do this by setting good examples of standards, behaviour and practice throughout the club and actively promote good attitudes amongst players, parents and coaches. It is also essential to note that whilst it is nice to win trophies and be successful, the learning and taking part are the most important aspects of what we are about.
8. Has the recession affected the daily running of the club?
At present we have not cut any costs, but we are constantly looking for sponsorships and grants that ensure that the direct costs to players are kept at a realistic level. Over the coming year, access to this type of sponsorship may become more difficult.
9. What is the importance of grassroots football?
Grassroots football is absolutely essential in producing pro footballers. Different players develop at different stages in their lives and there is a need for well run clubs with good coaches to assist these players into achieving their full potential.
END
Future hopes now rest with President Obama
Thursday 23 January 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington on Tuesday has been met with broad approval by North and East Manchester campaigners.
A record number of two million people packed into Washington and approximately 1.5 billion viewers watched Obama make his speech in front of the US Capitol building overlooking Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.
And campaigners in North and East Manchester have reacted with relief.
As the 44th President of the United States, Obama has made his way into the history books by becoming the first ever African-American President.
Following with tradition, Obama walked predecessor George W. Bush and wife Laura to the waiting presidential helicopter, to take him to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Now that Obama has enjoyed the glamour of the inaugural celebrations, he knows that at the top of his list before he can confront other issues, he has to deal with stopping a collapsing economy and rising unemployment figures; work out how to end the Iraq War; create a strategic operation against the Taliban in a difficult war in Afghanistan and handle the Middle East conflict. Providing healthcare for all Americans, tackling global warming and making US dependent from foreign oil are all major issues too.
Obama has already promised to invest $15bn over ten years to develop clean alternative energy, and has talked about his very ambitious target to slash 80 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Roy Wilkes of Campaign against Climate Change said: “The election of Barack Obama came as a huge relief to environmentalists.
“Obama has already promised to end Bush’s “twisting of science to suit politics or ideology” and to put climate change and the environment among his most urgent priorities. He has also appointed a number of respected environmentalists to key positions in his administration.
He added: “And as the recession deepens, Obama will come under a lot of pressure to maintain those subsidies as well as subsidizing the automobile industry. So although most environmentalists welcomed the election of Obama, we will at the end of the day have to judge him not by what he says but by what he actually does.
Meanwhile, Wilkes urged the people of North East Manchester to help in the fight against climate change.
“People in North East Manchester cannot leave it to the politicians to deliver on climate change.
“They need to get involved in building a mass movement to push for real and lasting change.
“In particular, we need to build and install tens of thousands of wind turbines (and North East Manchester used to have a flourishing engineering industry, just the sort of skills that could be utilized in building new generations of wind turbines).
“These are measures that are well worth fighting for, and the people of North East Manchester (and especially the youth, who have the most to gain from these measures) should join with others who are campaigning for them.”
Mark Krantz of Greater Manchester Stop The War Coalition, says that an Obama presidency will significantly influence British foreign policy decisions.
“It was only after Barack Obama announced a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq that Gordon Brown followed suit and said UK troops were returning too.
On Iraq, Brown and Tony Blair together followed George Bush into Iraq. It is inevitable that Brown will follow the same path as Obama in putting more troops into Afghanistan.”
Mark Burton, Secretary for the Manchester Cuban Solidarity Campaign group said: “President Obama could improve relations with Cuba- all he has to do is lift the blockade- many in the US call for it to be lifted, including many hostile to the Cuban revolution who see the blockade as counter-productive.
“He might also lift the travel ban and free the 5 anti-terrorists serving long sentences in the US following trumped up charges of spying (they had provided their information on terrorist groups to the FBI and this led to their arrest) and an unfair trial.”
END
‘The future is up to you’
Thursday 16 January 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
A rallying cry has been issued to Manchester’s young people by Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese.
He has challenged the city’s youth to get involved in politics and help shape their future.
In an exclusive interview, Councillor Leese said: “I would like to encourage more young people to get involved in politics, whether that is single issue campaign politics or party politics.
“The first piece of advice I would give is to read, watch and listen, find out what is happening in your locality, in your town, in your city, in your country, in the world.”
He added: “Decide what difference you want to make and then give some time to get involved.”
Councillor Leese was speaking after working alongside young people to campaign for the city’s congestion charge.
He reflected on a missed opportunity to change the face of Manchester public transport and boost employment in the city.
“I am disappointed with the outcome of the Transport Innovation Fund referendum because we have lost the opportunity to transform public transport across Greater Manchester, to create 10,000 new jobs at a time of recession, and to underpin economic growth in Greater Manchester for the next 25 years.”
He added, he had “no doubt that the general feeling of gloom caused by the credit crunch and the subsequent economic downturn had a major factor to play”.
He said he does not see a second referendum in the future.
Cllr Leese said: “There was no Plan B and the ten Greater Manchester local authorities will have to now reflect, re-prioritise the 30-plus business plans for public transport investment that have been prepared (most of the expenditure on TIF was on the preparation of these business cases), identify how a local contribution to any major transport schemes can be raised as this will always be a government requirement, and look to make a submission to government some time in the new year. I do not envisage a second referendum.
“One of the pleasures of the campaign was the extent to which we were able to work across political party boundaries with a whole range of environmental groups. It was also the case that the young, the future, were far more likely to be in support of the TIF proposals than older people. I don’t think that commitment to work together to improve public transport and to improve the environment has diminished at all and I expect that to continue in the future.”
The Youth Parliament (UKYP) running since February 2001 is giving youngsters the platform to debate, campaign and advocate important issues on a national scale.
There are currently more than 500 elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) and Deputy MYPs in the United Kingdom.
Any young person aged 11-18 can stand as a candidate or vote in UKYP elections, which are essentially representing the views of young people in their constituency.
Find out more information about becoming about a MYP in your area and other UKYP related events and activities by visiting http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk
END
Does the NHS deliver?
Thursday 9 October 2008
North and East Manchester Advertiser
The majority of people have probably experienced this on at least one occasion.
You phone your local clinic to book an appointment, but unfortunately there happens to be no room at the inn.
If you are lucky, you may be seen by your doctor on the same week or the following week.
The most frustrating occurrence is when one receives an unexpected call that there appointment has been cancelled.
And the postcode lottery that allows some areas to receive four times more cash for mental, health and cancer related illnesses has to be scrapped.
So is the National Health Service not working?
Personally, I have encountered no bad experiences with the service, but I am only sixteen and eligible to receive free National Health Service treatment.
I contacted the Pennine Acute Trust, which runs North Manchester General Hospital to find out whether the National Health Service is delivering for its patients.
Dr Ruth Jameson, medical director for Pennine Acute Trust, said: “Everyone in the NHS, whether they are doctors, nurses, allied health professionals or play a support role, are very aware of the significance of the service marking its 60th anniversary.
“Over the decades, we have seen enormous advances. We can do things now which clinicians of the past could only have dreamed about – some of the developments in clinical practice and technology would have been almost unimaginable. Who would have believed then that a surgeon in North Manchester General Hospital could share an X-ray image with a specialist colleague in London with a few clicks of a mouse to enable a second opinion? Yet we can now do this.
“The future holds challenge – types of illness which were very common in the past have now been substantially reduced. Vaccinations and public health developments have made a massive difference. However, in their place we have seen a rise in chronic ‘lifestyle’ conditions – so many problems are caused by too much alcohol, obesity and smoking.
“I certainly believe that the NHS has a bright future – at North Manchester General Hospital we have already started work on a new £30 million maternity and children’s centre of excellence, and we have just seen our new diabetes centre, created as part of a £1 million investment, officially opened by health minister and local MP Ivan Lewis. It’s been a great way to mark the 60th anniversary, and points the way to a very bright future.”
Minister of State for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo said: “We’ve got more doctors and nurses, and waiting lists are down. Patients now have more choice than ever before, and the establishment of an NHS Constitution will let us all know exactly what we should expect when we use the health service.
“Of course, we still have challenges to tackle, particularly in continuing to reduce inequalities. Thanks to the dedication of a million NHS workers, and the continuing support of the British people, I am sure we will succeed.”
END
The global credit crunch
Thursday 14 August 2008
North and East Manchester Advertiser
A year on after the global credit crunch, which has left millions scratching their heads, just what is the credit crunch and how did it start?
In America, prospective homeowners were offered cheap mortgages at low interest rates to enable them to purchase their property.
The banks had a brainwave. Why not sell some of these cheap, sub prime mortgages to banks and investors in the United Kingdom and across the world.
But then the realities started to hit home. Interest rates rose, investors got into trouble, the value of homes fell and banks suddenly became unwilling to lend money to each other.
The credit crunch began and the effects were a sudden cutback in loans and a sudden increase in the cost of obtaining a loan from a bank.
Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, Callum McCarthy says that they “are working closely with the Treasury and the Bank of England to strengthen the stability and resilience of the financial system and reduce the likelihood of banks failing.”
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said there were 18,900 repossessions in the six months to June, up from 12,800 in the same period last year, although the credit crunch has not only affected homeowners.
“I’m more worried about the future than I am about the present. I’m not struggling to eat or pay bills said Sarah O’Neill, a Blackley homeowner.
“However, I am very worried that in the near future things will get difficult for me, like gas bills going up and my mortgage coming up for renewal and then it might get hard she added.
“So I think I’m worried about the future, as the younger generations will never be able to afford to buy a house unless prices become more realistic.”
Soaring food and fuel prices have pushed inflation to 4.4 per cent from July- exceeding the government target of 2 per cent, due to an increased cost of transporting food and a use in ethanol as an automobile fuel, pushing up prices.
The price of crude oil has been at record highs of $145 a barrel as its demand from China and India to develop their economics has far outweighed its availability.
According to the Office for National Statistics, essentials such as bread and eggs have risen by 13% and 33.3 per cent, while cheese and milk are up by 15.8 per cent and 13.5% per cent respectively.
I still remember not long ago, a loaf of Warburton’s white bread from my local convenience store being around the 70p mark, but now it sets you back £1.37- then, the cost of nearly two loaves.
ASDA have pledged keep prices as low as possible: “We are totally committed to giving our customers the lowest prices in Britain every day of the year.
“With the credit crunch starting to bite and household bills on the rise that’s why we’re investing in price cuts on everyday staples such as bread & butter, eggs and fruit and vegetables.”
Average energy bills could rise from £600 to more than £1,000 early in the next decade, indicating that the credit crunch is affecting important aspects of our lives and show no signs of slowing down.
Little more than eight million Britons hold a mortgage and the signs do not bode well for the younger generations who hope to climb onto the housing market.
A study by IFAonline has shown that pensioners have been most affected by the credit crunch with over 84% of 55s forced to cut spending.
A large majority of pensioners do not receive high pensions and will struggle to make ends meet.
Growing costs will mean that an added financial burden is placed upon the shoulders of university students.
While it is clearly a global problem and it is extremely dangerous to increase wages subject to inflation, I think that the hierarchies in government should not be taking vacations and should really sit down and draw out some kind of plan to at least make things easier.
Labour MP for Manchester Blackley, Graham Stringer said: “It is important that the Government does everything it can to stop the credit crunch turning into another recession.”
END
Asylum seekers: Should they be allowed to stay?
Thursday 24 July 2008
North and East Manchester Advertiser
With the number of asylum seekers residing in North East Manchester believed to be between 15,000-20,000, refugees have established themselves as integral members of the community.
Following a recent claim from an influential House of Lords committee that record levels of immigration were having “little or no impact on the economic-well being of Briton’s”, it is now time to ask ourselves whether asylum seekers should be allowed to remain in Britain?
Are we failing to acknowledge the potential benefits of asylum seekers, shooting them down before they have the chance to prove themselves; based on hearsay and misrepresented misconceptions?
The general consensus among many has been that refugees seeking asylum in the United Kingdom are perfectly within their rights to do so, on the basis that they are not simply making up the numbers, but making some sort of contribution to the economy.
The negative attitudes towards asylum seekers come from not so much cynical, but misinformed Britons who are frustrated and feel hard done by the free accommodation and support offered to some refugees, while the majority of working class families, slave away to provide what asylum seekers appear to get offered on a plate!
Inevitably the arrival of more and more asylum seeking refugees will add to the burden of taxpayers in evidently difficult economic times; putting pressure on national health services and the availability of dwindling natural resources.
However, it is worth noting that in the whole of Manchester there are only about 1,000 asylum seekers receiving support, and some of them do not receive any means of accommodation.
Nevertheless, we must accept that asylum seekers have had varied experiences.
Many have been subjected to ordeals that we could not possibly imagine: Horrific beatings; persecution; torture; the desire to escape war and violence and young children being sent to fight are just a tip of the iceberg as to why asylum seekers seek refuge here.
It is these things that draw asylum seekers to come and seek refuge in our country. The American Dream is almost in their minds a vision of a personal British Dream.
In actual fact it is economic migrants- not asylum seekers who come here economic, social and political development in terms of being: financially able to support their families back home; interact in a multi- cultural society; have the right to vote in a democratic union and ultimately have a better quality of life.
While many of us complain about insignificant things such as the weather; asylum seekers are privileged to be plucked into a democratic society where the image of violence, injustice and young children armed with weapons on street corners becomes a distant memory.
City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: “Over the years asylum seekers and larger numbers of economic migrants have contributed enormously to the economic well-being of our city and to its vibrancy and dynamism.
“Many asylum seekers and refugees have endured unthinkable hardship and deserve our sympathy but we shouldn’t be forcing them to depend on state handouts but allow them to pay their own way through working while their cases are decided.”
Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd said: “I think that in Britain we should try to respect and provide proper human rights for asylum seekers.
“For example, the thousands of Zimbabweans that are forced to illegally cross the border to flee to South Africa in a bid to escape poverty, violence and hunger; coupled with the millions of Jews who fled to Eastern European countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia and the USSR during the 20th century to escape the holocaust genocide.
“Although, there are asylum seekers whose cases are not genuine and so there should be strict controls to try to find a distinction between the genuine and not so genuine cases.
“We should protect the genuine refugees seeking asylum against the opposition who do not want genuine refugees seeking asylum.”
Julia Ravenscroft, a spokesperson for the charity Refugee Action in Manchester, said: “Refugees come to the UK because they are fleeing persecution and not for economic reasons.
“Many are from some of the world’s most dangerous trouble spots and often spend all of their money on escaping to safety.
“Under the United Nations Convention on Refugees we have a legal and moral obligation to protect those whose lives are in danger and we must continue to do this.
“While they are seeking protection, asylum seekers need to be treated with humanity and given a fair hearing so that the right decision is made on their case.
“Refugees often go on to make a big contribution to communities in Britain, both economically and culturally.”
END
Green parking scheme hits the streets and It’s a beach at park
Thursday 13 July 2007
North and East Manchester Advertiser
1) Green parking scheme hits the streets
North-East Manchester is set to go green when a parking scheme designed to cut down on car emissions was launched this week.
The Green Badge Parking Scheme will mean that drivers with cleaner cars will get access to cheaper parking saving them up to £1,000 a year in parking fees.
Owners of cars with emissions of less than 120g/km of CO2 will be entitled to a 25 per cent discount on all the car parks run by NCP in Manchester city centre.
The idea is to reward commuters with a low CO2 output and it follows on from a recent survey which revealed that only 2.2 per cent of cars in Manchester were classed as low emission.
It is hoped the scheme could encourage people to buy low-emission cars rather than gas guzzlers.
Councillor Neil Swannick, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment said:
“Manchester has committed itself to becoming the greenest city in Britain and this is just one of many steps we are taking that has a direct impact on climate change.
“While using public transport is the best way to travel, we recognise that it isn’t practical for everyone and we have identified cheaper parking as a positive way to reward drivers that help cut emissions.
“We hoped this scheme will be the first of many across Greater Manchester and we are working with the Manchester is my Planet campaign to share our experience across the region.”
Paddy Dyson from NCP Manchester Ltd said: “We are proud to have joined forces with the council to launch this unique scheme.
“We recognise that is in everyone’s interest to reduce the impact on the environment and offering a substantial discount to drivers who choose a low emission car is a simple and effective way that we as a responsible business can help make a difference.”
Visitors to Phillips Park will have all the fun of the fair on Sunday thanks to the arrival of a top-notch event for all the family.
END
2) It's a beach in the park
The Party in the Park event- with a beach theme will be held from noon until 4pm and will feature a range of events including majorette displays, dog shows and a Punch and Judy show.
There will also be dance and music acts, including jazz bands as well as a range of tempting refreshments.
People looking for a makeover can also book themselves in for a face painting session and there will also be workshops to teach circus skills.
Groups including Age Concern will also be on hand to offer information and guidance on clubs and societies.
The event will be held at the park on Stuart Street, Beswick.
END
A crowning moment at the green
Thursday 12 July 2007
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Residents in Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw can now apply for grants of up to £4,000 to ‘Make a Difference’ to their area.
Individuals and community groups can apply for the money towards a wide range of projects – including community events, improving their local environment or local facilities, creating artwork such as murals, developing open spaces, or encouraging local people to get involved in groups, projects or activities.
But people must hurry as there is only two weeks left to apply. In all £45,000 is up for grabs in the scheme by East Manchester’s New Deal for Communities initiative, designed to improve the quality of life for local people.
Last year, garden improvements to North Road in Clayton were funded with £2,000 from the scheme; drumming sessions in east Manchester parks were paid for with £3,300 and colourful planting at the edge of Clayton Park received a boost with £900.
Openshaw AEU Bowling Club, on Club Street, received £3,750 last year – which members used to improve paths and benches, tidy up overgrown areas and put in plants.
Committee member Paul Conroy said: “You couldn’t walk all the way round the green before. The grant made everything look tidier and people are happier to come and watch the bowling. Half a dozen bowling teams now use the green and the club is hoping to encourage youngsters to get involved.
The deadline for entries for this year’s grants is 27 July.
To apply, write to New Deal for Communities, 187 Grey Mare Lane, Beswick, Manchester M11 3ND or contact Ryan Tracey on 0161 230 2100. Information is also available on www.eastmanchesterndc.com
END
Thursday 6 March 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
This follows last week’s group of community reporters from east Manchester as reported in the Advertiser who stopped passers- by to ask them their own stories as their own tales were being shown on the big screen in Exchange Square; run by People’s Voice Media in partnership with the BBC.
B of the Blog gives local residents from Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw the opportunity to tell their stories online through images, audio or video.
Drop in sessions are held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Monday, meetings are held between 1:00- 4:00pm at the Grange, Beswick. While on Wednesday a two hour session from 10:00am- 12:00 noon takes place at The Wells Centre in Clayton, next to the Health Centre. The times of the Thursday and Friday sessions are 1:00- 3:00pm and 10:00am- 1:00pm at Victoria House, Openshaw and The Grange.
B of the Blog was recognised for its success after winning the Manchester Evening News blog of the week in December 2008.
The idea for B of the Blog came from Manchester Community Information Network (MCIN) who launched the Community Reporters Programme and through discussions.
David said that “there is a reference to B of the Bang which is a landmark in the area and something everyone in east Manchester has an opinion on!”
MCIN formed in 1993 with the key aims of finding gaps in information provision, bringing together information providers across sectors to reduce duplication and generate support for a co-ordinated strategy to deliver an electronic public information system to benefit the citizens of Manchester.
David says the main purpose of the project is to “allow people to tell their story online and improve their skills and self-confidence in the process that could lead to new opportunities.”
He added: “B of the Blog work with groups and individuals and run activities outside of our session times. We run drop in sessions, training sessions, and trips to the BBC, workshops, films shown on the big screen, work closely with all FM 96.9 community radio stations and take part in social events, parties and skill sharing.
“I really enjoy my role as East Manchester Media Community Producer. I get to work with a mix of people. No two days are the same and it’s just rewarding when local people think that they could get a job in the media. Learning new skills is equally as important.”
When I asked David, what his best moments in the job had been he said that they were “seeing people get their stories online, seeing a boost in their confidence and having them say they could do it.
“I also enjoyed the visits to BBC North West Tonight and seeing our videos on the Big Screen in Exchange Square.
“I would encourage more people to join B of the Blog because if they have a story then we can help them get their story online.”
For more information, you can write to:
East Manchester Media Community Producer
MCIN
The Grange Community Resource Centre
Pilgrim Drive
Manchester
M11 3TQ
Or alternatively, you can reach David at 0161 230 1430 or email david@mcin.net
Check out the blog: http://www.botheblog.com
Follow People’s Voice Media on Twitter: http://twitter.com/peoplesvoice
Subscribe to the People’s Voice Media podcast with iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=300550700
END
Helping to give kids a step up in life
Thursday 27 February 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Young people who attend SNAP receive GCSE Mathematics and English, PHSE and Citizenship sessions and activities, plus work experience.
Paul Mattis, Community Development Manager of Trinity House Community Resource Centre, Rusholme, says Trinity House will be working more closely with the school in the coming months …
Tell our readers a little bit about yourself. How did you reach the post of community development manager at Trinity House?
During my youth I used to be one of the young men that are classed as socially excluded.
I grew up in the deprived communities of Manchester and would engage in anti-social behaviour with my peers. When a number of people wrote me off, in terms of employment, I was given an opportunity to become a trainee youth worker at the Hideaway Youth Project, Moss Side, working with young black men who were on the margins of, or directly involved in the drug and gang culture.
This is where my youth work career took off. After three years at the Hideaway I joined BHAF, now known as BHA (Black Health Agency), a sexual health development worker working with young men from BME (black and minority ethnic) communities with peer education being the delivery method. I then went on to be the coordinator of the project. After eight years at BHA I joined Trinity House Community Resource Centre as the Community Development Manager, which entails managing the organisations operational and strategic development.
What is the main aim of Trinity House Community Resource Centre?
Our mission is to provide a centre for the community to benefit children, young people, parents and carers by means of education, training, personal development and recreation.
What personally made you get involved with social and community work?
I suppose initially my involvement was because I needed a more positive means of employment than that which I was used to. For example, labouring work.
Once I started the post at the Hideaway I was exposed to a whole range of social issues which enabled me to explore and gain understanding of what living in deprived communities really means in terms of inequalities with regard to health, employment, housing, and education.
Obviously as manager you have quite a lot of responsibilities and many tasks to attend to. On a typical day, what does your job entail?
In general my role entails fundraising, working with our Board of Trustees to support the growth of the organisation, networking and forming partnership arrangements with other organisations, managing staff and their professional development, building relationships with service users.
Sometimes I make cups of tea for my staff and wash the cups, pick up litter when needed and open and close the building on the weekend occasionally. For me it’s about giving support wherever it’s needed.
Who else do you work with?
A number of the organisations and community groups that we work with are: Hideaway Youth Project, 42nd Street, ReelMcr, Anson Cabin, Birch Community Centre, City College, Connexions, Manchester Youth Service, SureStart, Manchester Primary Care Trust, Manchester Regeneration Team, Voluntary Youth Manchester and Rusholme & Fallowfield Forum.
The benefit of having such varied links with the highlighted organisations is that we can offer children, young people and their families a wide range of opportunities with regards to information, education, and access to health and social care support services and the opportunity to reshape services and policy development.
What types of youngsters do you work with?
We work with young people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds such as Caribbean, White British, Somali, Afghani, Asian and Arab. We work with school non-attendees, parents, toddlers and socially excluded groups of young people.
What methods or techniques do you use to encourage and work with them to change?
We use issue based and recreational activities to engage young people. We have a youth forum that plans, delivers and evaluates their own activities.
Over the last year we have been working with groups of young people to promote community cohesion. Our staff team reflects a number of our users in terms of ethnic origin and life experiences, which helps with the engagement process and building relationships.
Over time have you seen a difference between when youngsters arrive and when they leave?
Young people use the centre for different reasons.
I have seen changes in young people in a number of areas such as: different ethnic groups, who they once had conflicts with, building relationships; young people on the verge of leaving college stay in college; individuals who only used the centre for recreational purposes become more focused and join our youth forum as a means of supporting other young people.
Trinity House Community Resource Centre currently provides six services. Are you worried or envisage that finance will affect the continuity of these projects? Are you confident about funding prospects? Have you had to make financial or job cuts during these difficult economic times?
In relation to funding the young people themselves has amassed up to £10,000 for youth activities over the last year.
I have recently managed to secure funding to develop our youth programme over the next 2 years and will be looking to apply for funding to develop our early years provision. So the future is bright.
How have the local community reacted to the centre?
The community has generally reacted well to the centre and I am engaging them to identify what their needs are so they can use the centre more.
The local residents group is also supporting us in this.
What is your long term vision for the centre? Do you think similar centres will be built in local communities?
My vision for the centre is for it to be an all singing all dancing community provision.
We still have some distance to travel but we are getting there slowly but surely. Trinity House is the only centre of its kind in the Rusholme area and I don’t envisage any others being built in the near future.
Tell me more about the Youth Forum.
We encourage young people to take responsibility within the project and have a small team of young leaders who plan, deliver and evaluate their own activities.
Recently they planned and delivered a youth event to gauge what young people want from youth services. The forum features heavily in the future of Trinity House in terms of it being the managing body of all youth provision delivered from the centre.
Why should more people visit Trinity House Community Resource Centre?
Young people should use the centre because we are developing our provision so that they receive more positive outcomes for their personal and social development.
END
How important is junior football?
Thursday 30 January 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Grassroots football is all about giving youngsters an opportunity to take their interest in football further.
Inevitably, not all grassroots players will become professional footballers, but teamwork, leadership qualities friendships and playing and watching football in a safe environment are priceless.
I spoke to Moston Juniors chairman Paul Mitchell about the history of the club, what motivates him to continue running the club, the importance of grassroots football in producing professional footballers and whether the recession is affecting the club’s survival.
1. Can you give some history about Moston Juniors and its existence?
Moston Junior Football Club was formed in 1993. The club initially started with 3 teams and the U8s team won the Bluecoat Tournament in their first season. Presently the club has nineteen teams ranging from Under 7 to Under 16 years of age, with mixed, boys and girls teams included in this. The club has approximately 250 registered players across all age groups. In addition to this, there are other players (approximately 50) who are non registered and attend coaching sessions only.
2. What are the club’s objectives?
To provide facilities which can help meet the social, sporting, recreational and educational needs of different sections of the community. To create opportunities to achieve excellence in sport. To support young people in ways that will enable them to make a valued contribution to the local community.
3. When do you usually play your home fixtures?
Our mini soccer teams (from U7 through to U11) play on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Our girls teams play on Saturday mornings. Our 11-a-side teams play on both Sunday mornings and afternoons.
4. Where do you usually play your home fixtures?
Mini soccer games are played at Failsworth Soccer Centre. Girls fixtures are played at Chapel Road (Oldham) and Royton and Crompton astroturfs. 11-a-side games are played on Broadhurst Playing Fields and Heywood Sports Centre.
5. What motivates you to continue running the club?
I’ve no idea but if I find out I’ll let you know! Though in all seriousness, I want the children of Moston to be given the best opportunity to achieve things (either in sport or outside of it); for them to have an interest (hopefully football) that they start when they are 5 and are still interested at 55 (and beyond); I want to try and give them a sense of respect for the area that they live in and that as they grow older they can contribute to the area; but most of all I want to help them to grow up to be people that others want to be with and help them achieve friendships that will last forever.
6. What does the future hold for Moston Juniors?
The future is very strong for the club. This season we are in the running to win silverware at all levels. We are in a cup final for the U14 girls this Saturday; several of our teams are competing in the last 16 of the County Cup and the majority of our teams are at the top of their respective leagues. Further we are developing good partnerships with Bolton Wanderers and FC United that will help in the long term for player development. On the non-football side, stage one of our development of Ronald Johnson Playing Fields will be complete in July when we start to play on the new grass pitches (Football Foundation and Council funded). We are also hopeful later this year we will have got the funding in place to build an AstroTurf and clubhouse that will then make the facility at Ronald Johnson a grade 1 sporting venue.
7. For youngsters out there who are thinking of joining the club, tell me why more players should sign up with Moston Juniors?
The key aspect that I like to promote about the club is that they key aim of the club is to support young people in making a valued contribution to the local community. We do this by setting good examples of standards, behaviour and practice throughout the club and actively promote good attitudes amongst players, parents and coaches. It is also essential to note that whilst it is nice to win trophies and be successful, the learning and taking part are the most important aspects of what we are about.
8. Has the recession affected the daily running of the club?
At present we have not cut any costs, but we are constantly looking for sponsorships and grants that ensure that the direct costs to players are kept at a realistic level. Over the coming year, access to this type of sponsorship may become more difficult.
9. What is the importance of grassroots football?
Grassroots football is absolutely essential in producing pro footballers. Different players develop at different stages in their lives and there is a need for well run clubs with good coaches to assist these players into achieving their full potential.
END
Future hopes now rest with President Obama
Thursday 23 January 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
A record number of two million people packed into Washington and approximately 1.5 billion viewers watched Obama make his speech in front of the US Capitol building overlooking Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.
And campaigners in North and East Manchester have reacted with relief.
As the 44th President of the United States, Obama has made his way into the history books by becoming the first ever African-American President.
Following with tradition, Obama walked predecessor George W. Bush and wife Laura to the waiting presidential helicopter, to take him to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Now that Obama has enjoyed the glamour of the inaugural celebrations, he knows that at the top of his list before he can confront other issues, he has to deal with stopping a collapsing economy and rising unemployment figures; work out how to end the Iraq War; create a strategic operation against the Taliban in a difficult war in Afghanistan and handle the Middle East conflict. Providing healthcare for all Americans, tackling global warming and making US dependent from foreign oil are all major issues too.
Obama has already promised to invest $15bn over ten years to develop clean alternative energy, and has talked about his very ambitious target to slash 80 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Roy Wilkes of Campaign against Climate Change said: “The election of Barack Obama came as a huge relief to environmentalists.
“Obama has already promised to end Bush’s “twisting of science to suit politics or ideology” and to put climate change and the environment among his most urgent priorities. He has also appointed a number of respected environmentalists to key positions in his administration.
He added: “And as the recession deepens, Obama will come under a lot of pressure to maintain those subsidies as well as subsidizing the automobile industry. So although most environmentalists welcomed the election of Obama, we will at the end of the day have to judge him not by what he says but by what he actually does.
Meanwhile, Wilkes urged the people of North East Manchester to help in the fight against climate change.
“People in North East Manchester cannot leave it to the politicians to deliver on climate change.
“They need to get involved in building a mass movement to push for real and lasting change.
“In particular, we need to build and install tens of thousands of wind turbines (and North East Manchester used to have a flourishing engineering industry, just the sort of skills that could be utilized in building new generations of wind turbines).
“These are measures that are well worth fighting for, and the people of North East Manchester (and especially the youth, who have the most to gain from these measures) should join with others who are campaigning for them.”
Mark Krantz of Greater Manchester Stop The War Coalition, says that an Obama presidency will significantly influence British foreign policy decisions.
“It was only after Barack Obama announced a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq that Gordon Brown followed suit and said UK troops were returning too.
On Iraq, Brown and Tony Blair together followed George Bush into Iraq. It is inevitable that Brown will follow the same path as Obama in putting more troops into Afghanistan.”
Mark Burton, Secretary for the Manchester Cuban Solidarity Campaign group said: “President Obama could improve relations with Cuba- all he has to do is lift the blockade- many in the US call for it to be lifted, including many hostile to the Cuban revolution who see the blockade as counter-productive.
“He might also lift the travel ban and free the 5 anti-terrorists serving long sentences in the US following trumped up charges of spying (they had provided their information on terrorist groups to the FBI and this led to their arrest) and an unfair trial.”
END
‘The future is up to you’
Thursday 16 January 2009
North and East Manchester Advertiser
He has challenged the city’s youth to get involved in politics and help shape their future.
In an exclusive interview, Councillor Leese said: “I would like to encourage more young people to get involved in politics, whether that is single issue campaign politics or party politics.
“The first piece of advice I would give is to read, watch and listen, find out what is happening in your locality, in your town, in your city, in your country, in the world.”
He added: “Decide what difference you want to make and then give some time to get involved.”
Councillor Leese was speaking after working alongside young people to campaign for the city’s congestion charge.
He reflected on a missed opportunity to change the face of Manchester public transport and boost employment in the city.
“I am disappointed with the outcome of the Transport Innovation Fund referendum because we have lost the opportunity to transform public transport across Greater Manchester, to create 10,000 new jobs at a time of recession, and to underpin economic growth in Greater Manchester for the next 25 years.”
He added, he had “no doubt that the general feeling of gloom caused by the credit crunch and the subsequent economic downturn had a major factor to play”.
He said he does not see a second referendum in the future.
Cllr Leese said: “There was no Plan B and the ten Greater Manchester local authorities will have to now reflect, re-prioritise the 30-plus business plans for public transport investment that have been prepared (most of the expenditure on TIF was on the preparation of these business cases), identify how a local contribution to any major transport schemes can be raised as this will always be a government requirement, and look to make a submission to government some time in the new year. I do not envisage a second referendum.
“One of the pleasures of the campaign was the extent to which we were able to work across political party boundaries with a whole range of environmental groups. It was also the case that the young, the future, were far more likely to be in support of the TIF proposals than older people. I don’t think that commitment to work together to improve public transport and to improve the environment has diminished at all and I expect that to continue in the future.”
The Youth Parliament (UKYP) running since February 2001 is giving youngsters the platform to debate, campaign and advocate important issues on a national scale.
There are currently more than 500 elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) and Deputy MYPs in the United Kingdom.
Any young person aged 11-18 can stand as a candidate or vote in UKYP elections, which are essentially representing the views of young people in their constituency.
Find out more information about becoming about a MYP in your area and other UKYP related events and activities by visiting http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk
END
Does the NHS deliver?
Thursday 9 October 2008
North and East Manchester Advertiser
You phone your local clinic to book an appointment, but unfortunately there happens to be no room at the inn.
If you are lucky, you may be seen by your doctor on the same week or the following week.
The most frustrating occurrence is when one receives an unexpected call that there appointment has been cancelled.
And the postcode lottery that allows some areas to receive four times more cash for mental, health and cancer related illnesses has to be scrapped.
So is the National Health Service not working?
Personally, I have encountered no bad experiences with the service, but I am only sixteen and eligible to receive free National Health Service treatment.
I contacted the Pennine Acute Trust, which runs North Manchester General Hospital to find out whether the National Health Service is delivering for its patients.
Dr Ruth Jameson, medical director for Pennine Acute Trust, said: “Everyone in the NHS, whether they are doctors, nurses, allied health professionals or play a support role, are very aware of the significance of the service marking its 60th anniversary.
“Over the decades, we have seen enormous advances. We can do things now which clinicians of the past could only have dreamed about – some of the developments in clinical practice and technology would have been almost unimaginable. Who would have believed then that a surgeon in North Manchester General Hospital could share an X-ray image with a specialist colleague in London with a few clicks of a mouse to enable a second opinion? Yet we can now do this.
“The future holds challenge – types of illness which were very common in the past have now been substantially reduced. Vaccinations and public health developments have made a massive difference. However, in their place we have seen a rise in chronic ‘lifestyle’ conditions – so many problems are caused by too much alcohol, obesity and smoking.
“I certainly believe that the NHS has a bright future – at North Manchester General Hospital we have already started work on a new £30 million maternity and children’s centre of excellence, and we have just seen our new diabetes centre, created as part of a £1 million investment, officially opened by health minister and local MP Ivan Lewis. It’s been a great way to mark the 60th anniversary, and points the way to a very bright future.”
Minister of State for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo said: “We’ve got more doctors and nurses, and waiting lists are down. Patients now have more choice than ever before, and the establishment of an NHS Constitution will let us all know exactly what we should expect when we use the health service.
“Of course, we still have challenges to tackle, particularly in continuing to reduce inequalities. Thanks to the dedication of a million NHS workers, and the continuing support of the British people, I am sure we will succeed.”
END
The global credit crunch
Thursday 14 August 2008
North and East Manchester Advertiser
In America, prospective homeowners were offered cheap mortgages at low interest rates to enable them to purchase their property.
The banks had a brainwave. Why not sell some of these cheap, sub prime mortgages to banks and investors in the United Kingdom and across the world.
But then the realities started to hit home. Interest rates rose, investors got into trouble, the value of homes fell and banks suddenly became unwilling to lend money to each other.
The credit crunch began and the effects were a sudden cutback in loans and a sudden increase in the cost of obtaining a loan from a bank.
Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, Callum McCarthy says that they “are working closely with the Treasury and the Bank of England to strengthen the stability and resilience of the financial system and reduce the likelihood of banks failing.”
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said there were 18,900 repossessions in the six months to June, up from 12,800 in the same period last year, although the credit crunch has not only affected homeowners.
“I’m more worried about the future than I am about the present. I’m not struggling to eat or pay bills said Sarah O’Neill, a Blackley homeowner.
“However, I am very worried that in the near future things will get difficult for me, like gas bills going up and my mortgage coming up for renewal and then it might get hard she added.
“So I think I’m worried about the future, as the younger generations will never be able to afford to buy a house unless prices become more realistic.”
Soaring food and fuel prices have pushed inflation to 4.4 per cent from July- exceeding the government target of 2 per cent, due to an increased cost of transporting food and a use in ethanol as an automobile fuel, pushing up prices.
The price of crude oil has been at record highs of $145 a barrel as its demand from China and India to develop their economics has far outweighed its availability.
According to the Office for National Statistics, essentials such as bread and eggs have risen by 13% and 33.3 per cent, while cheese and milk are up by 15.8 per cent and 13.5% per cent respectively.
I still remember not long ago, a loaf of Warburton’s white bread from my local convenience store being around the 70p mark, but now it sets you back £1.37- then, the cost of nearly two loaves.
ASDA have pledged keep prices as low as possible: “We are totally committed to giving our customers the lowest prices in Britain every day of the year.
“With the credit crunch starting to bite and household bills on the rise that’s why we’re investing in price cuts on everyday staples such as bread & butter, eggs and fruit and vegetables.”
Average energy bills could rise from £600 to more than £1,000 early in the next decade, indicating that the credit crunch is affecting important aspects of our lives and show no signs of slowing down.
Little more than eight million Britons hold a mortgage and the signs do not bode well for the younger generations who hope to climb onto the housing market.
A study by IFAonline has shown that pensioners have been most affected by the credit crunch with over 84% of 55s forced to cut spending.
A large majority of pensioners do not receive high pensions and will struggle to make ends meet.
Growing costs will mean that an added financial burden is placed upon the shoulders of university students.
While it is clearly a global problem and it is extremely dangerous to increase wages subject to inflation, I think that the hierarchies in government should not be taking vacations and should really sit down and draw out some kind of plan to at least make things easier.
Labour MP for Manchester Blackley, Graham Stringer said: “It is important that the Government does everything it can to stop the credit crunch turning into another recession.”
END
Asylum seekers: Should they be allowed to stay?
Thursday 24 July 2008
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Following a recent claim from an influential House of Lords committee that record levels of immigration were having “little or no impact on the economic-well being of Briton’s”, it is now time to ask ourselves whether asylum seekers should be allowed to remain in Britain?
Are we failing to acknowledge the potential benefits of asylum seekers, shooting them down before they have the chance to prove themselves; based on hearsay and misrepresented misconceptions?
The general consensus among many has been that refugees seeking asylum in the United Kingdom are perfectly within their rights to do so, on the basis that they are not simply making up the numbers, but making some sort of contribution to the economy.
The negative attitudes towards asylum seekers come from not so much cynical, but misinformed Britons who are frustrated and feel hard done by the free accommodation and support offered to some refugees, while the majority of working class families, slave away to provide what asylum seekers appear to get offered on a plate!
Inevitably the arrival of more and more asylum seeking refugees will add to the burden of taxpayers in evidently difficult economic times; putting pressure on national health services and the availability of dwindling natural resources.
However, it is worth noting that in the whole of Manchester there are only about 1,000 asylum seekers receiving support, and some of them do not receive any means of accommodation.
Nevertheless, we must accept that asylum seekers have had varied experiences.
Many have been subjected to ordeals that we could not possibly imagine: Horrific beatings; persecution; torture; the desire to escape war and violence and young children being sent to fight are just a tip of the iceberg as to why asylum seekers seek refuge here.
It is these things that draw asylum seekers to come and seek refuge in our country. The American Dream is almost in their minds a vision of a personal British Dream.
In actual fact it is economic migrants- not asylum seekers who come here economic, social and political development in terms of being: financially able to support their families back home; interact in a multi- cultural society; have the right to vote in a democratic union and ultimately have a better quality of life.
While many of us complain about insignificant things such as the weather; asylum seekers are privileged to be plucked into a democratic society where the image of violence, injustice and young children armed with weapons on street corners becomes a distant memory.
City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: “Over the years asylum seekers and larger numbers of economic migrants have contributed enormously to the economic well-being of our city and to its vibrancy and dynamism.
“Many asylum seekers and refugees have endured unthinkable hardship and deserve our sympathy but we shouldn’t be forcing them to depend on state handouts but allow them to pay their own way through working while their cases are decided.”
Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd said: “I think that in Britain we should try to respect and provide proper human rights for asylum seekers.
“For example, the thousands of Zimbabweans that are forced to illegally cross the border to flee to South Africa in a bid to escape poverty, violence and hunger; coupled with the millions of Jews who fled to Eastern European countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia and the USSR during the 20th century to escape the holocaust genocide.
“Although, there are asylum seekers whose cases are not genuine and so there should be strict controls to try to find a distinction between the genuine and not so genuine cases.
“We should protect the genuine refugees seeking asylum against the opposition who do not want genuine refugees seeking asylum.”
Julia Ravenscroft, a spokesperson for the charity Refugee Action in Manchester, said: “Refugees come to the UK because they are fleeing persecution and not for economic reasons.
“Many are from some of the world’s most dangerous trouble spots and often spend all of their money on escaping to safety.
“Under the United Nations Convention on Refugees we have a legal and moral obligation to protect those whose lives are in danger and we must continue to do this.
“While they are seeking protection, asylum seekers need to be treated with humanity and given a fair hearing so that the right decision is made on their case.
“Refugees often go on to make a big contribution to communities in Britain, both economically and culturally.”
END
Green parking scheme hits the streets and It’s a beach at park
Thursday 13 July 2007
North and East Manchester Advertiser
North-East Manchester is set to go green when a parking scheme designed to cut down on car emissions was launched this week.
The Green Badge Parking Scheme will mean that drivers with cleaner cars will get access to cheaper parking saving them up to £1,000 a year in parking fees.
Owners of cars with emissions of less than 120g/km of CO2 will be entitled to a 25 per cent discount on all the car parks run by NCP in Manchester city centre.
The idea is to reward commuters with a low CO2 output and it follows on from a recent survey which revealed that only 2.2 per cent of cars in Manchester were classed as low emission.
It is hoped the scheme could encourage people to buy low-emission cars rather than gas guzzlers.
Councillor Neil Swannick, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment said:
“Manchester has committed itself to becoming the greenest city in Britain and this is just one of many steps we are taking that has a direct impact on climate change.
“While using public transport is the best way to travel, we recognise that it isn’t practical for everyone and we have identified cheaper parking as a positive way to reward drivers that help cut emissions.
“We hoped this scheme will be the first of many across Greater Manchester and we are working with the Manchester is my Planet campaign to share our experience across the region.”
Paddy Dyson from NCP Manchester Ltd said: “We are proud to have joined forces with the council to launch this unique scheme.
“We recognise that is in everyone’s interest to reduce the impact on the environment and offering a substantial discount to drivers who choose a low emission car is a simple and effective way that we as a responsible business can help make a difference.”
Visitors to Phillips Park will have all the fun of the fair on Sunday thanks to the arrival of a top-notch event for all the family.
END
2) It's a beach in the park
The Party in the Park event- with a beach theme will be held from noon until 4pm and will feature a range of events including majorette displays, dog shows and a Punch and Judy show.
There will also be dance and music acts, including jazz bands as well as a range of tempting refreshments.
People looking for a makeover can also book themselves in for a face painting session and there will also be workshops to teach circus skills.
Groups including Age Concern will also be on hand to offer information and guidance on clubs and societies.
The event will be held at the park on Stuart Street, Beswick.
END
A crowning moment at the green
Thursday 12 July 2007
North and East Manchester Advertiser
Individuals and community groups can apply for the money towards a wide range of projects – including community events, improving their local environment or local facilities, creating artwork such as murals, developing open spaces, or encouraging local people to get involved in groups, projects or activities.
But people must hurry as there is only two weeks left to apply. In all £45,000 is up for grabs in the scheme by East Manchester’s New Deal for Communities initiative, designed to improve the quality of life for local people.
Last year, garden improvements to North Road in Clayton were funded with £2,000 from the scheme; drumming sessions in east Manchester parks were paid for with £3,300 and colourful planting at the edge of Clayton Park received a boost with £900.
Openshaw AEU Bowling Club, on Club Street, received £3,750 last year – which members used to improve paths and benches, tidy up overgrown areas and put in plants.
Committee member Paul Conroy said: “You couldn’t walk all the way round the green before. The grant made everything look tidier and people are happier to come and watch the bowling. Half a dozen bowling teams now use the green and the club is hoping to encourage youngsters to get involved.
The deadline for entries for this year’s grants is 27 July.
To apply, write to New Deal for Communities, 187 Grey Mare Lane, Beswick, Manchester M11 3ND or contact Ryan Tracey on 0161 230 2100. Information is also available on www.eastmanchesterndc.com
END
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