Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

Despite the terrible national and international publicity that Rochdale has had over the child abuse scandal and the pending enquiries about to be introduced surrounding child abuse in North Wales and other parts of the North West, my feeling is that if this is handled transparently and honestly the town can emerge from this much stronger.

There is a new political and administrative leadership team in place in the Council and Police and with this the opportunity to start afresh. I am confident that following a thorough review of existing practice in the area of child protection, Rochdale can become a model for other authorities to follow. This is not a Rochdale only issue. Leeds, Rotherham, Derby and Reading have all reported similar child abuse problems and will be looking to Rochdale to lead.

Last week I hosted and chaired two seminars of the Parliamentary ‘Family and Child Protection Group’ which studied in detail how better advice and support can be offered to children and families. I will be representing the British Parliament in Moscow at a conference on Trafficking for Child Abuse next week. The reports on the Rochdale case will be highlighted at that conference. This is a global problem and needs essential detailed scrutiny that keeps the safety and well-being of children at the heart.

The Government is advocating local and regional pay levels across the public sector. A postcode lottery on pay would be most unfair.

Many private sector employers are embracing and becoming advocates for the standardised living wage. They say that it makes good business sense, helping to increase productivity, reduced staff turnover and improve staff motivation and morale.

Increasing numbers of local authorities, mainly Labour, are paying a living wage despite the cuts imposed by the Coalition Government.

The living wage is calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK. Gordon Brown began this process by introducing the minimum wage. It makes sense to now go further and create the living wage. In London the figure is £8.30. Outside of London, I understand £7.20 per hour is the target. New rates will be announced soon.

The Coalitions’ local and regional policy will be divisive, unfair and create chaos. They are pursuing a policy that will be demoralising and increase staff turnover.

I enjoyed the Concert by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Middleton Parish Church. It was a timely event as it followed the debate in the Commons on the governments’ decision to scrap the battalion.

The Carol Service at St Aidans’ Church, Castleton was of its usual high standard and a pleasure to attend.

Remembrance Sunday was impressive once again. It was the Middleton Service I attended this year and I shall attend Heywood next year. The large attendance showed the huge respect that local people have for those who gave their lives in the World Wars and for those armed forces personnel presently involved in Afghanistan and other parts of the world.

“We will remember them” is the phrase that we all recognise.