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.
Lynne Beaumont and Peter Carroll marry today in at a small family ceremony at their home in Peene. Shepway Liberal Democrats would like to wish them both a fantastic day and a long and happy future together.
Councillor Wera Hobhouse, Parliamentary Spokesman for Heywood and Middleton has attacked Prime Minster's speech about screening tests for all patients in the NHS as a wasted opportunity.
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 new study has confirmed that people with arthritis who follow a set exercise programme could enjoy a better quality of life. Researchers from the University of North Carolina in the US published their study in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. The trial involved 346 patients with an average age of 70 who had self-reported arthritis.