TV spotlight on Oldham politics

OLDHAM will take centre stage on a political TV show in the run up to the local elections.

Oldham Council Leader Councillor Howard Sykes has been asked to take part in BBC One’s The Politics Show North West, due to be broadcast on Sunday, May 1, at noon.

If he accepts, he will be among council leaders from the North-West facing a grilling from a studio audience.

Oldham care home owner Charles Jones is set to be among the audience ready to ask questions.

Mr Jones, the manager of family-run Anbridge Care Home, recently featured in the Chronicle when he hit out at the impact of spending cuts.

He says a reduction in Social Services and NHS fees has forced him to reduce staff and cut-back on equipment.

Oldham Social Services has imposed a 2 per cent reduction for new residents, down from £377.50 to £370, with payments for existing residents maintained.

Because other costs of running a home are rising, Mr Jones says even a freeze would be the equivalent of a 10 per cent reduction.

In the past six months the home in Herbert Street, Watersheddings, has let two full-time cooks go and reduced housekeeping hours and is to halve the activities and maintenance worker’s hours with further cuts possible if things get worse.

Mr Jones and his wife Sally have taken on more duties themselves and have ensured there are no reduction in care hours.

He has also faced a reduction in Continuing Health Care fees from NHS Oldham and the ending of loan equipment.

Councillor Sykes said he had been asked to go on the show but had not yet confirmed the details. It’s not his first appearance on the programme — his last was over a year ago.

The show will be pre-recorded on Thursday.