How the Tories hold back Grantham
Why Grantham is not in "Safe Hands" with the Tories. (19th April 2011)
The Tory leaflets are coming through the doors now and they are keen to point out their record over the years. And what a record it is! Grantham has not seen any benefit from any programme of change that the Conservatives have introduced over the last decade. The masterplans that were devised have shown little progress. In 2007, SKDC was awarded £5,000,000 to support its Grantham for Growth ambitions but has shown little movement since then. So much so, that in July 2009, the independent Audit Commission rated SKDC's performance as 1 out of 3, which equates to a "Fair" with "uncertain prospects for improvement" The press release can be seen by clicking here. Nigel Toms, Audit Commission Senior Manager also said: "major improvements planned for Bourne and Grantham town centres over the past ten years have not materialised. There are early signs of progress, but the Council's track record is not good in areas where it now needs to perform" The key recommendations from this report highlight that the council should involve the public at all stages of the planning for the long term regeneration of the town, and ensuring that the Council can secure firm commitments to support the development of the town. Grantham Labour's plans take on board the Audit Commission's recommendations and look to review the development plans to help secure future investment to create jobs, develop industry and commerce and deliver a strong and vibrant town for future generations. So, I would ask that if you want Grantham to be in "Safe Hands", vote for your Grantham Labour candidates. David Burling Chair Grantham & District Branch Labour Party |
Your Voice in Tough Times
Its Bleak Wednesday
Its the start of the new tax year and the Tories budget and tax changes come into force.
Here's the bleak menu:
- A total of 44 tax and benefit changes
- Childcare credits cut by 10%
- Child benefit frozen
- Vat rises since January.
- Oil prices at an all-time high wiping out the 1p fuel duty cut announced in the budget two weeks ago.
- The average price of petrol is now 133.55p a litre
- Almost half a million parents, including 285,000 single parents, will lose an average of £436 a year in child care benefits today.
Ed Balls, Shadow Chancellor said, ‘For many families, the first time they realise just how hard these changes will hit them will be in their pay packets over the coming weeks.’
The Resolution Foundation is tracking the real impact of these changes on families in a year long study. To find out more, click here.
How the Tories Privatise the NHS
This is the proposed model for the delivery of the NHS as far as the Tories are concerned. The black ovals, like vultures, are private companies looking for rich pickings. Whatever is suggested or implied this is not cheap or efficient. Every connected line has a cost merely to maintain that connection. Every connection has a a box of contracts and clauses that charge the earth in legal fees and penalties if anything is changed. And all of this is before anyone bothers to consider the quality of care to the the patient.
Here is the question the Tories never bother to ask themselves. If the contract culture is so good at delivering public services where is the evidence and why did virtually every council pull in-house all its tendered refuse services during the 90's when the majority of them were privatised? The reason - we needed flexibility in the way we deliver to meet recycling targets. The problem - companies wanted to charge through the nose for the change to contract. The result - an unsustainable and inefficient way to do business. The same will happen in the NHS. Lines held by corporate lawyers will cost the earth when the time comes to be innovative and creative, or simply to respond to wider social need.
The best reform to the NHS is to remove the market. If you want to go private- go private. Let make the NHS a fully national service - the same opportunity for treatment wherever you are.
The Feelings Mutual
Labour and Co-operative MP, Gareth Thomas explains why the remutualisation of Northeren Rock will give a better deal to the consumer and help control excessive bonuses:
To join the campaign, then click here
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