Labour’s pledge to the region

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/