Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has committed to backing a 1.9% increase in MP's pay - instead of the 3%, above inflation increase that some MPs seem to be preferring. Mr Rowen has backed Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has said MPs' pay increases should be limited to 1.9 per cent instead of the higher award they expect from the Independent Senior Salaries Review Board.
Councillor Wera Hobhouse, the Council's Portfolio Holder for the Environment has hailed results that show that Rochdale has seen the lowest increase in the number of reported sightings of rats in Greater Manchester. Figures obtained from the Council show that there was a 2% increase of sightings of rats since last year. Of the Councils in Greater Manchester who have revealed their statistics, Rochdale has seen the lowest increase - 1068 sightings in 2006 up to 1088 sightings in 2007.
A record 37 million items of personal data went missing last year, new research by the Liberal Democrats reveals.
The Prime Minister has given the clearest sign yet that Labour will push ahead with a controversial new wave of nuclear power plants, with plans to replace 14 ageing nuclear power stations, which produce almost a fifth of the UK's electricity, with a generation of new ones would make the UK one of the leading nuclear energy users. But the plans have faced major criticism over safety and because, on current projections, only one of the existing clutch of nuclear plants will be producing power by 2020. The taxpayer will pay an estimated £65 billion to end the productive life of the existing nuclear power kit and at least £10 billion to dispose of nuclear waste.
Controversial proposals to remove benefits for three years from people who refuse their third offer of a job are to be announced by the Conservatives tomorrow. Under the "three strikes and you're out" policy, there will be escalating penalties for people who refuse to accept "reasonable" job offers.
Gordon Brown today attacked critics of the government's handling of the Northern Rock crisis, but was unable to guarantee that the £26bn of taxpayers' money loaned to the bank will definitely be recovered. The prime minister insisted that the decision to support Northern Rock was correct, as it had prevented wider panic in the financial markets. The Treasury is currently negotiating with two potential purchasers, Virgin Group and Olivant. Both their proposals involve the government continuing to offer billions of pounds in support for several years.