DILNOT COMMISSION ‘STEPPING STONE IN RIGHT DIRECTION’

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, said that the Dilnot Commission’s report could be a stepping stone in the right direction towards an NHS style model of care for the elderly, free at the point of use. Raising the means-testing threshold and capping private contributions draws a line in the sand, but the public will want to see that cap move downwards towards tax-funded care, otherwise it will always be a hostage to political fortunes.

The union called on the government to act now on the recommendations, making sure every penny goes towards public care not private profit, and urged it to tackle the wider issues of quality in the system. And warned that public trust in an insurance based model will be low, given the poor track record of the financial services industry.

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:- “This could be a stepping stone towards an NHS-style, free at the point of use model of elderly care. Given the political will, future governments can bring down the cap and fund the care system through general taxation.   The government must now build on consensus and take action. Every penny of extra money must go into care, not be siphoned off by private companies or profit hungry equity firms. The galling spectacle of Southern Cross is proof that all too often in the private sector, care is last on the agenda.   The minimum wage model for the care industry is a water tight barrier to quality – the government must tackle this to boost standards. Bargain basement pay and lack of training mean staff turnover is high, and elderly people miss out on continuity of care that is so vital to their wellbeing.”

Euro MP urges EU to join global action on naked short selling

LABOUR Euro MPs will vote on a crucial draft law aimed at bringing an end to risky and destructive naked short selling this week.

Vice Chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, Arlene McCarthy said:- “Naked short selling is a part of the questionable culture in the financial system that got us into the economic crisis in the first place and as such must be tackled.  The US, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and Brazil have already prohibited naked short selling so the EU should follow global best practice.   Hong Kong has always banned naked short selling and during the financial crisis their markets performed better and were more stable.”

On Treasury and Tory Euro MPs opposition to the law Arlene added:- “Contrary to the lessons we are learning from the Greek crisis the UK Government is still arguing against a ban on naked credit default swaps.  George Osborne talks tough on the need for reform but when it comes to action he is not prepared to protect investors and the stability of the real economy.”

Fixed penalty fine for road block driver

A driver in Greater Manchester has been handed a £60 fine and 3 penalty points after driving towards a roadworker clearing debris on the M66 last month.

Highways Agency Traffic Officers from the outstation at Milnrow, near Rochdale, were operating a rolling road block along the M60, near the Simister Island Interchange, on Thursday, 23 June 2011, when the incident happened.

In spite of the ‘Don’t Pass’ message at the back of the Traffic Officers’ high visibility patrol car, the driver headed past the block onto the M66 where another Traffic Officer was about to walk out onto the northbound carriageway to remove the hazardous debris.

The operation had to be aborted temporarily and the driver’s vehicle registration reported to the police.

Rolling road blocks are used by the Police and Highways Agency Traffic Officers to slow down traffic and hold it back; creating a safe environment ahead to allow them to remove broken down vehicles or hazardous debris.

Straight after last month’s incident, an officer from Greater Manchester Police visited the driver at home and she later received a Fixed Penalty Notice of £60, as well as three penalty points on her driving licence.

John McTaggart, Regional Operations Manager in charge of the Highways Agency's North West Traffic Officer Service, which has its regional headquarters at the Regional Control Centre near Junction 23 of the M6 at Newton-le-Willows, said:- "We applaud Greater Manchester Police for its swift action in this case. Statements were taken and the driver fined within 23 hours of the incident. Highways Agency Traffic Officers and other roadworkers need to be sure they can work safely at incidents and roadworks without the fear of drivers breaking through cones or rolling roadblocks - putting themselves and the roadworkers at risk of serious injury or death. Drivers need to be aware it is an offence to ignore the instructions of Highways Agency Traffic Officers.  Drivers risk a fine, driving ban or even a jail sentence if they fail to comply with those directions and drive into protected areas of the motorway where Traffic Officers and other roadworkers are just trying to get on with their jobs - making the roads safer for everyone else."

Earlier this year, the Highways Agency thanked Greater Manchester Police for prosecuting drivers who broke through roadworks along the M56 near Manchester International Airport.