Surely our MPs set out the Carillion framework?
WHAT gives MPs the right to call former directors of Carillion ‘delusional characters’ when MPs set the moral legislative framework in which they operated?
Unless MPs are prepared to act, it is pure ineffective grandstanding for MP’s joint select committee to reportedly ask: “Is there any last thing you would like to say to those who have lost their jobs while you are all right?”
Where the finger should be pointed is at economics (as currently taught in universities), a discipline that takes very little or no account of the ethical dimension, and to which both MPs and the captains of industry unquestioningly bow in ritual observance. Geoff Naylor, via email
Fairness key to funding
I THINK it’s important to respond to
a story covered by the M.E.N. (A project helping the most vulnerable will close after losing its council funding - and it’s sparked a huge row - February 7) that questions the fairness of how we help fund community groups. Despite on-going government cuts, Manchester City Council has maintained the level of funding through to voluntary care services for the last five years, and will ensure we ensure the same level for a further three years, to the tune of £7.4m. This funding is supporting 63 different organisations across a wide range of communities – and this is only part of the circa £30m a year we spend with the sector.
There certainly isn’t any secrecy in how the funding is provided to voluntary groups. The process has been co-designed with the voluntary sector, and has been subject to lengthy consultation. The funding process has twice been to our scrutiny committee, and was finally signed off by the Executive committee last June.
There are often difficult decisions to be made and with all funding processes not everyone who applies is successful. However, all the bids are subject to the same rigour and are independently scored to ensure fairness.
We completely understand the disappointment of those organisations who are not successful, but we categorically reject the notion that BME groups are not being funded and there is favouritism to any groups or areas – and another Harpurhey group has been approved for funding. An equalities and impact assessment will also to be carried out to find gaps in provision, we will work with groups to try and mitigate loss in funding, and help those who use those services to source appropriate support. Cllr Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council
This project must remain
I HAD to read the article twice – the potential closure of the Harpurhey project.
This scheme has been a very important service to the community for over 40 years.
To now find out that the project is to close is an absolute disgrace.
For Coun John Flanagan, cabinet member for finance, to say he was furious, beggars belief.
Have readers seen past comments in M.E.N. Viewpoints on the amount of grants the council gave FC United, over £1.4m, and then loans with generous payback terms?
I have checked the figures via the council’s website on expenditure given by the council to FC United.
Coun Sue Murphy has a nerve to say that impact assessments are now being carried out.
These councillors have been far too long in the town hall and it’s time that Manchester residents use their vote in May to rid us of this pestilence and incompetent councillors once and for all. ‘Blackley for ever’
Obesity has to be solved
OF course, it is difficult to argue against those marches and those slogans proclaiming ‘Save our NHS, give them more cash.’
We are now the fattest nation in western Europe and the sixth fattest in the world. One in four of our children age ten are now obese and this spells disaster for their future health.
One in four nurses are obese and 700,000 NHS staff are obese or overweight.
Of course, it does not make them bad at their jobs but it does send the wrong message out to the public, doesn’t it?
Obesity causes so much suffering of illnesses that can be prevented.
Many cases of Type 2 diabetes, cancers, heart problems etc are caused by people being overweight or obese.
One in seven NHS beds are occupied by obesity-related illnesses.
These illnesses cost the NHS a staggering £30bn per annum and this figure alone could easily solve the NHS cash crisis with plenty of spare money.
Yes, I have seen those slogans and I have heard our local politicians criticisms. However, I have never seen a march or heard a local politician saying ‘solve the obesity epidemic and we solve the NHS crisis.’
I wonder why that is? Harry Singleton, Ashton-Under-Lyne
Wrong to remove art
TO have removed Waterhouse’s painting Hylas and the Nymphs (1896) from Manchester Art Gallery was an act of censorship and a cheap publicity stunt, unintelligent and unworthy of a fine gallery. Tony Roberts, Worsley