The Daily Telegraph reports that Durham Constabulary - the police force that patrols Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency - is facing a £10 million deficit that could lead to a cut of 300 officers. That would represent nearly one in five of its staff.
This shortfall of public funds for essential services mirrors the problems and cutbacks being suffered by the NHS.
Yet the £10 million that's causing this problem is not even one day's contribution to the EU budget, at next year's net level of £115 million a week.
Is one day of the EU worth losing 300 police officers? This is the choice MPs will endorse if they vote to approve the EU's new financing arrangements agreed last December, when it comes before Parliament early next year.
The costs of the EU have swung wildly out of control relative to the needs of essential services directly affecting the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of people.
MPs need to send a clear public signal that Tony Blair's priorities in promising 60% more money to the EU last December are all wrong, or face the blame for local spending and service cuts come the next election.
Saturday, 28 October 2006
Friday, 27 October 2006
Bury St Edmunds: Day centre facing axe
A cash-strapped day centre for elderly in Bury St Edmunds could be forced to close next April after Suffolk County Council funding cuts – reports the Bury Free Press.
The council is only picking up the tab for 38 people a week to visit the Beetons Lodge day care centre and will not be referring or paying for any more people to attend.
The centre will be forced to turn to private paying customers if it is to survive.
The news comes as Suffolk County Council warned of more cutbacks to services and job losses next year, ahead of expected cuts in government funding.
The administration said is expected a shortfall of £22 million and anticipates the loss of 134 full-time posts.
Anne Bines, manager of the centre, said: "The elderly are being victimised, once again, with cutbacks because the can’t fight back.
"They have given us the okay until March next year, but after that date we don’t know if there is a job for us or not.
"It’s devastating for the people who come here. Sometimes this is the only place they get out to each week. Once that is taken away they have got nothing."
The day centre can cater for up to 92 people a week, but currently has 57 people attending.
Richard Freeman, chairman of the Beetons Lodge trustees said: "All of our customers are over 70 and have some sort of moderate level of disability, such as dementia, Alzheimers or Parkinson’s Disease.
"Some come twice a week so that costs around £40 – a lot of money for someone who is frail and elderly to find."
The council is only picking up the tab for 38 people a week to visit the Beetons Lodge day care centre and will not be referring or paying for any more people to attend.
The centre will be forced to turn to private paying customers if it is to survive.
The news comes as Suffolk County Council warned of more cutbacks to services and job losses next year, ahead of expected cuts in government funding.
The administration said is expected a shortfall of £22 million and anticipates the loss of 134 full-time posts.
Anne Bines, manager of the centre, said: "The elderly are being victimised, once again, with cutbacks because the can’t fight back.
"They have given us the okay until March next year, but after that date we don’t know if there is a job for us or not.
"It’s devastating for the people who come here. Sometimes this is the only place they get out to each week. Once that is taken away they have got nothing."
The day centre can cater for up to 92 people a week, but currently has 57 people attending.
Richard Freeman, chairman of the Beetons Lodge trustees said: "All of our customers are over 70 and have some sort of moderate level of disability, such as dementia, Alzheimers or Parkinson’s Disease.
"Some come twice a week so that costs around £40 – a lot of money for someone who is frail and elderly to find."
Labels:
bury st edmunds,
council cuts,
elderly care
Thursday, 19 October 2006
Britain now No 1 al-Qaida target
Britain has become the main target for a resurgent al-Qaida, which has successfully regrouped and now presents a greater threat than ever before, The Guardian reports today.
Counter-terrorist officials have revised their views about the strength of the network abroad, and the methods terrorists are able to use in the UK.
With this apparently growing threat, would it not be more sensible and responsible for the government to spend extra money on ensuring our security, rather than paying billions more to an organisation like the EU. The EU remains beset by reports of waste and fraud and auditors can't explain where the "vast majority" of its money goes.
It's worth remembering that the security services stopped watching one of those involved in the 7th July London bombings due to a lack of resources, according to the official report into those events.
MPs who vote to approve paying billions more to the EU will need to explain their choice to their constituents if lack of funds to support anti-terrorism work compromises our security again.
Counter-terrorist officials have revised their views about the strength of the network abroad, and the methods terrorists are able to use in the UK.
With this apparently growing threat, would it not be more sensible and responsible for the government to spend extra money on ensuring our security, rather than paying billions more to an organisation like the EU. The EU remains beset by reports of waste and fraud and auditors can't explain where the "vast majority" of its money goes.
It's worth remembering that the security services stopped watching one of those involved in the 7th July London bombings due to a lack of resources, according to the official report into those events.
MPs who vote to approve paying billions more to the EU will need to explain their choice to their constituents if lack of funds to support anti-terrorism work compromises our security again.
MP challenges Blair over cuts
Hastings MP Michael Foster has delivered a petition against hospital cuts to the Prime Minister, reports The Argus.
Mr Foster took a delegation from the Friends of Conqest Hospital to meet Tony Blair and present their case along with 40,000 signatures.
It is the second visit in a month by East Sussex MPs.
Eastbourne's Nigel Waterson visited earlier in October to head off plans to downgrade Eastbourne General Hospital.
Mr Foster's visit took place after Prime Minister's Questions yesterday when he accused the Government of "wrong headed" policy.
There are fears for the future of the accident and emergency and maternity units at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards under proposals being considered by health chiefs.
He told Mr Blair: "We have to persuade you that that policy is wrong. Fundamentally a democracy depends on listening to what people say.
"A 40,000- name petition and 7,000 on the streets of Hastings is not only spectacular but highlights the support for these services."
He argued that emergency and maternity services need to be local for a population which was largely poor and elderly.
The poverty meant many residents do not have their own transport and an ageing population meant there was a greater risk of strokes and heart attacks which require immediate attention, he said.
He argued that the poor infrastructure around Hastings with busy, narrow roads, meant the town was not well equipped for long ambulance journeys.
Initial proposals for service cuts will be made within six weeks which will be followed by a consultation period. Final decision are expected next Spring.
Mr Foster added that he disagreed with suggestions it would either be the Conquest hospital or Eastbourne District Hospital due for cuts.
He said: "There are all sorts of options and both hospitals could keep their key services.
We are by no means undermining Eastbourne."
Mr Foster took a delegation from the Friends of Conqest Hospital to meet Tony Blair and present their case along with 40,000 signatures.
It is the second visit in a month by East Sussex MPs.
Eastbourne's Nigel Waterson visited earlier in October to head off plans to downgrade Eastbourne General Hospital.
Mr Foster's visit took place after Prime Minister's Questions yesterday when he accused the Government of "wrong headed" policy.
There are fears for the future of the accident and emergency and maternity units at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards under proposals being considered by health chiefs.
He told Mr Blair: "We have to persuade you that that policy is wrong. Fundamentally a democracy depends on listening to what people say.
"A 40,000- name petition and 7,000 on the streets of Hastings is not only spectacular but highlights the support for these services."
He argued that emergency and maternity services need to be local for a population which was largely poor and elderly.
The poverty meant many residents do not have their own transport and an ageing population meant there was a greater risk of strokes and heart attacks which require immediate attention, he said.
He argued that the poor infrastructure around Hastings with busy, narrow roads, meant the town was not well equipped for long ambulance journeys.
Initial proposals for service cuts will be made within six weeks which will be followed by a consultation period. Final decision are expected next Spring.
Mr Foster added that he disagreed with suggestions it would either be the Conquest hospital or Eastbourne District Hospital due for cuts.
He said: "There are all sorts of options and both hospitals could keep their key services.
We are by no means undermining Eastbourne."
Labels:
eastbourne,
hastings,
hospitals,
NHS cuts
Wednesday, 18 October 2006
Millions petition for post offices
Tony Blair has ruled out further subsidies to safeguard the country's declining post office network despite a petition with four million names demanding urgent action being handed in to 10 Downing Street today, reports The Times.
The PM said that up to £2 billion had already been invested and with current subsidies at £150 million a year, no more money would be made available.
As he spoke, thousands of postmasters attended a rally in Westminster to try and stave off the unravelling Britain's rural network.
Current subsidies at £150 million a year sounds a lot. But it's nothing in context of the cash we pay the EU, without justification given they can't tell us how they spend it.
That post office subsidy will be a bit more than one week's worth of next year's net contribution to the EU at £115 million a week, if MPs vote to approve the EU budget deal Blair did last December when it comes before Parliament.
The government could afford more to keep these vital community services open if such vast amounts weren't being wasted by handing them to the EU.
MPs who vote this money away to the EU will have no defence if their local post office faces closure due to a lack of government support.
The PM said that up to £2 billion had already been invested and with current subsidies at £150 million a year, no more money would be made available.
As he spoke, thousands of postmasters attended a rally in Westminster to try and stave off the unravelling Britain's rural network.
Current subsidies at £150 million a year sounds a lot. But it's nothing in context of the cash we pay the EU, without justification given they can't tell us how they spend it.
That post office subsidy will be a bit more than one week's worth of next year's net contribution to the EU at £115 million a week, if MPs vote to approve the EU budget deal Blair did last December when it comes before Parliament.
The government could afford more to keep these vital community services open if such vast amounts weren't being wasted by handing them to the EU.
MPs who vote this money away to the EU will have no defence if their local post office faces closure due to a lack of government support.
Monday, 16 October 2006
Plea to lift ban on Alzheimer's drugs fails
Alzheimer's campaigners lost an appeal yesterday for drugs to be made available to sufferers in the early stages of the disease, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Campaigners claim that the decision victimised some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) ruled that Aricept (donepezil), Reminyl (galantamine) and Exelon (rivastigmine) should only be used to treat those with moderate Alzheimer's. Ebixa (memantine) is only to be used in clinical studies for moderately severe to severe sufferers.
It means the drugs will not be available on the NHS for sufferers in the early stages of the disease, although those currently on the drug will not have them withdrawn.
The licence holder of one of the drugs attacked the decision, saying it was "perverse" and that they would consider seeking a judicial review.
Campaigners and doctors who had appealed against Nice's initial guidance in July accused the body of penny pinching, saying the drugs cost as little as £2.50 per day per person.
Supplying these drugs would cost a tiny proportion of our £115 million a week contributions to the lavishly-funded EU - who needs our help more?
Campaigners claim that the decision victimised some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) ruled that Aricept (donepezil), Reminyl (galantamine) and Exelon (rivastigmine) should only be used to treat those with moderate Alzheimer's. Ebixa (memantine) is only to be used in clinical studies for moderately severe to severe sufferers.
It means the drugs will not be available on the NHS for sufferers in the early stages of the disease, although those currently on the drug will not have them withdrawn.
The licence holder of one of the drugs attacked the decision, saying it was "perverse" and that they would consider seeking a judicial review.
Campaigners and doctors who had appealed against Nice's initial guidance in July accused the body of penny pinching, saying the drugs cost as little as £2.50 per day per person.
Supplying these drugs would cost a tiny proportion of our £115 million a week contributions to the lavishly-funded EU - who needs our help more?
Oxfordshire: Protesters march in support of NHS
Four hundred people gathered in Oxford's Hinksey Park to protest against cuts and privatisation in the NHS - reports the Oxford Times.
They marched on Saturday from the park in Abingdon Road, up St Aldates and finished in Broad Street where Jim Campbell, the Mayor of Oxford, was one of the speakers.
Earlier this year, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust announced plans to cut 600 jobs and downgrade the Horton Hospital in Banbury as part of a £33m savings plan.
Joseph Richards, 75, from Blackbird Leys, has had to use the NHS regularly over recent years due to heart problems.
He said: "I am here because I am an old-age pensioner and we use the hospitals more than anyone else."
There are also concerns about some sectors of the NHS being neglected.
Dr Beth Rimmer, a GP in East Oxford, was on the march as a mother as well as a front-line worker.
She said: "I am here to raise public awareness about the frightening changes that are happening in the NHS. There are already things that are hard to get in Oxford like dietary and dentistry help.
"I am also worried about vulnerable people - those less able to put their point across and those who most lose out over privatisation. The choices will be made for us."
They marched on Saturday from the park in Abingdon Road, up St Aldates and finished in Broad Street where Jim Campbell, the Mayor of Oxford, was one of the speakers.
Earlier this year, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust announced plans to cut 600 jobs and downgrade the Horton Hospital in Banbury as part of a £33m savings plan.
Joseph Richards, 75, from Blackbird Leys, has had to use the NHS regularly over recent years due to heart problems.
He said: "I am here because I am an old-age pensioner and we use the hospitals more than anyone else."
There are also concerns about some sectors of the NHS being neglected.
Dr Beth Rimmer, a GP in East Oxford, was on the march as a mother as well as a front-line worker.
She said: "I am here to raise public awareness about the frightening changes that are happening in the NHS. There are already things that are hard to get in Oxford like dietary and dentistry help.
"I am also worried about vulnerable people - those less able to put their point across and those who most lose out over privatisation. The choices will be made for us."
Friday, 13 October 2006
Chemistry labs 'need £2bn boost'
A small report in the Daily Telegraph today says that plans to upgrade chemistry laboratories in schools will fall a quarter of a century behind a government target unless extra money is earmarked.
According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, almost £2 billion is needed to achieve the right standard and keep the country competitive.
Richard Pike, the RSC chief executive said, "Without something being done to address this slippage, Britain could drift to the margins of world science as potential young talent goes unexploited."
MPs intending to vote three times this amount to be paid to the EU every year until 2013 need to decide who they are elected to represent. Co-operating with other European countries and supporting economic development abroad does not need a vast central EU budget - especially one that auditors cannot sign off as accurate, and which is beset by reports of waste, maladministration and fraud.
According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, almost £2 billion is needed to achieve the right standard and keep the country competitive.
Richard Pike, the RSC chief executive said, "Without something being done to address this slippage, Britain could drift to the margins of world science as potential young talent goes unexploited."
MPs intending to vote three times this amount to be paid to the EU every year until 2013 need to decide who they are elected to represent. Co-operating with other European countries and supporting economic development abroad does not need a vast central EU budget - especially one that auditors cannot sign off as accurate, and which is beset by reports of waste, maladministration and fraud.
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