Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

The country hasn’t seen anything yet. The Con-Dem budget was unfair and seriously regressive. As these budget decisions bite, expect the jobless figures to rise by nearly one million.

Osborne unashamedly introduced an ideological Tory budget aimed at destroying the public sector and moving services into the private sector. That is the real aim. Let’s do a Thatcher faster than she did.

The Lib Dems of course have allowed themselves to be sucked in hook, line and sinker. As Osborne delivered his punishment to the British people, I watched a number of Lib Dems cringe as they realised how they had been duped.

There was nothing in this budget to stimulate growth. 25% public sector departmental cuts will destroy services. A freeze on Council Tax rises will compound and increase those service cuts. This is not just about reducing waste, these are services for young people, families and the elderly. The VAT rise to 20% was expected but the support for this VAT rise by the Lib Dems was a shock.

They have sold their principles and it will wreak havoc among their members. This was a treacherous move by any measurement. Ian Duncan Smith has hinted that the winter fuel allowance and free bus travel may also be candidates for change, having already stopped free swimming.

I note that our Magistrates Court is for the chop. The Town Centre development in Rochdale is on hold and Health, Education and Housing investment is under the hammer.

The intention to give Health Commissioners’ commissioning to GPs is a subtle attempt to move health spending to small business mode and therefore easier to privatise. I shall oppose this. The Treasury has already warned against this.

This was a reckless budget and will hit the poor hardest. Families will lose out with those on low and middle income losing tax credits and child benefits cut by £129 per year for over 7 million families. A double dip recession is a very strong possibility.

On Friday 18 June I attended the St John’s RC Primary sports awards and what an impressive event it turned out to be. Headteacher, Ged Morgan can be justly proud of his students. This school is a fine example of social cohesion in action which should be an example to others.

On Saturday 26 June I launched the consultation process in Middleton for the Local Strategic Partnership that is planning the next fifteen years across the borough. Local groups were represented at the event where their views were being sought. I then visited the School Fair at St Michael’s Bamford which was well supported as usual. I had a pleasant chat with Councillor Jim Garside and former Councillor Pat Sullivan.

On Sunday 27 I joined in the celebration of the Centenary of St Peter’s RC Church Middleton where the Right Rev Bishop Terence Brain celebrated Mass followed by a procession led by a pipe band though the streets from the church to St Peter’s Primary School. There we spent a great afternoon in the beautiful weather. An incredible variety of activities entertained the children and we all enjoyed welcome refreshment and music and dancing. It was a memorable day and I’d like to congratulate Fr Kieran Mullarkey and his incredible team who organised this so well and made it such a marvellous day to remember in Middleton.

I have been appointed to the House of Commons Panel of Chairmen. I relish this new challenge and I will let you know more about it in a future Letter from Parliament.