A Salford Star Exclusive

£130,000 A YEAR SOCIAL CARE BOSS RESPONDS TO PRIVATISATION CONCERNS FOR OLD AND ILL… `AT LEAST THEY'RE BEING FED'

Salford Council staff worried about the future of services to the city's old and ill people were horrified when Sue Lightup, Director of Health and Social Care, apparently responded `At least they're being fed'.

The Council has now voted to privatise its Intermediate Home Support Service…even though three of the favoured private providers failed basic standards tests, Salford people will get less care, and over fifty highly trained staff have left the Council service. "It's back to Victorian times" one support worker told the Salford Star, reflecting on Sue Lightup's comments…

A Salford Star Exclusive

SICKENING SALFORD COUNCIL REPORT PRAISES CUTS THAT ARE TOO DEEP TOO FAST…

While Salford councillors and the City Mayor weep tears for the cuts they've had to make, a new finance report reveals that the Council is actually forecasting an under spend this year of over £3.5million.

As hundreds of Council staff have been axed and social services cut to the bone, the self congratulatory report actually praises hatchet-happy officers for their "hard work" in "achieving a provisional under spend on this scale".

COUNCIL PAYS STADIUM CLIENT MANAGER UP TO £72,000 AND OVER £12,000 FOR CONSULTANT

While cash strapped Salford Council is cutting staff and services for the elderly and disabled, it's currently paying a Salford City Stadium `Client Manager' up to £72,027 a year, while consultant, D and R Tinkler Ltd, was paid £12,354 "in relation to support to the stadium and its tenants".

The payments come on top of Salford Council's £600,000 Stadium bail-out, and its 25 year, zero interest £1.26million loan pay off deal with new Salford City Reds and racehorse owner Marwan Koukash…whose bankrupt company owes Chester Racecourse £792.

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON LABOUR PARTY AS JOHN MERRY CALLS ON MILIBAND TO REPEAL BEDROOM TAX

Salford residents attending last night's Broughton Against the Bedroom Tax meeting were furious that no local councillors attended, holding up `Wish You Were Here' messages to get their point across. However a statement was read out from former Salford Council Leader John Merry, calling for the Labour Party front bench to commit to repealing the hated Tax.

Meanwhile, Salford City UNISON has demanded the Tax be suspended, while a new petition has been launched imploring City Mayor Ian Stewart to introduce a policy of No Evictions. The pressure in Salford is mounting…

BNP BOTTLES IT AND CANCELS PUBLIC MEETING

`The BNP ran scared this afternoon' Councillor Balkind

At the last minute, Salford BNP cancelled its public meeting at the city's garbage depot, as anti-fascist protesters turned up to oppose what UNISON's Steven North called "hate and division in our city".

Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart, was also present at the demonstration to hear Councillor Howard Balkind add that "the BNP ran scared this afternoon".