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Labour’s pledge to the region
Reporter: Lobby Correspondent
Date online: 20 April 2010
LABOUR has launched its manifesto for the North-West promising to secure spending on schools, Sure Start centres, police and the NHS.
The party highlighted a range of schemes the Government had funded locally and insisted a Tory government would put economic recovery and public services at risk.
The manifesto stated that in 1997, 47,000 people in the region were waiting more than 26 weeks for an in patient hospital appointment. Now the total is just two across the entire North-West.
North-West Minister Phil Woolas unveiling the manifesto said: “Our regional manifesto shows how Labour is determined to secure the recovery and build a future fair for all in the North-West.
“Although we live in a global economy, people want to know what government and future public policy will mean and the manifesto focuses on how we can secure growth and the jobs of the future in the North-West.
“In the North-West I am proud of Labour’s achievements in building new children’s centres, schools, stadiums, science laboratories, railways and hospitals.”
Labour said that 110,000 families in the region would be more than £200 a year better off under its planned Toddler Tax Credit, which would be introduced in 2012.
It said there were 2,000 more police officers in the region compared with 1997 and vowed to maintain police and community support officers in the coming years.
In addition 32,700 homeowners in the North-West have received Government help meeting their mortgage interest payments following job losses during the recession.
And 45,100 viable businesses in the region have been able to spread their tax payments thanks to the Government’s Time to Pay scheme, the manifesto added.
Labour said it would continue to support the North-West Regional Development Agency — the body charged with bringing jobs and investment into the area — which the Tories say they want to scrap.
The manifesto stated that every £1 spent by the regional development agencies, more than £4 is delivered in economic growth.
Plans for a high-speed rail line to Manchester would bring benefits to the area, it added.
Catch up the with candidates at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/elections/
Comments
As the great man once said, 'Oh Ye of little faith!'
Mr Woolas and his Westminster friends have had 13 years to come up with a manifesto for the north west - but haven't bothered. Why now I wonder? Is he thinking he may not be an MP on 7th May?
what utter nonsence!
All labour have done over the 13 years in power is rack up more and more debts. thats why we're in the mess we're in now.
at the same time they've encouraged people to be lazy and just scrounge off the welfare state.
what has labour really given the northwest?? what has labour given nationwide?
nowt. every single person in this country now has a cloud of debt looming over them for years to come. and continuing with labour will only make that debt increase!
Where are the extra 2000 police officers in the region? I assume they are classing PCSO,s as Police officers to make the figures look better? If anything, we see fewer,if any, police officers on the streets.
A future fair for all - will there be dodgems? Rollercoaster? Candy floss?
Certainly no fan of New Labour but how many of the things they've done - eg., non-regulation of the City, the Iraq war - would the Conservatives not have done? The more unsuccessful NewLab policies are Conservative policies. The Tories certainly don't represent the North-west, or most people.
Con MPs: 198, of which 18 are women, 2 non-white, 4 from white-collar jobs, 2 from blue-collar jobs, 40 went to state school, 86 went to Oxbridge. They have 21 candidates who went to Eton.
The manifesto stated that in 1997, 47,000 people in the region were waiting more than 26 weeks for an in patient hospital appointment. Now the total is just two across the entire North-West. Why can't these two poor souls get an appointment? Have they upset somebody? Are they Tories? Should they be in two of the 23 beds being axed locally? Come on get them seen to and lets have a clean slate.
Have Your Say
How can the Tories wreck anything? Labour have done a thorough job all by themselves. There's nothing left to break.
What about MP's consultancy fees for getting Government contracts for companies. Will Labour pledge to make that infomation public? No, just like they tried to hide the expenses scandal. The only pledge they'll use is the polish to remove their fingerprints from the evidence.
By Old_Mancunian @ 20/04/2010 12:34:51