THE SALFORD STAR MARY BURNS AWARDS 2013
Category: Interest Free Loans – But Not For Us
Winner: Salford City Council
Yes, during the yuletide season of spending money we don't have, we're all tempted to stick stuff on credit cards, think about Wonga style pay day loans or to go straight into the jaws of loan sharks. All at extortionate interest costs…
…But while we're paying it all back at a zillion, billion per cent, big businesses have benefited from the generosity of Salford City Council, which has been giving out interest free loans to its favoured companies…£12.26million that can be traced, in fact.
The biggest recipient is, of course, Peel Holdings which has had an £11million loan from Salford council tax payers, interest free for the first five years at a cost to us of £360,000 per year in repayments.
Just feel that glow of charity when our youth clubs and day centres are shutting down.
The money is for Peel's Port Salford project, and, because Salford Council is so nice, it's chucked in a £4million grant too which never has to be paid back at all. The Government's Regional Growth Fund is chipping in another £15million, making a grand total of £30million of public money to help the poor Peel Group take over the northern world (see here).
But it's not just Peel Holdings that is getting handouts… Marwan Koukash – that bloke with ten million racehorses who's taken over Salford Red Devils, also gets in on the Salford Council free money ticket.
While Koukash is going around offering any rugby player who anyone's ever heard of pure wads to play for Salford, our Council has given him until 2038 to pay back a balance of £1.26million from a £1.5million loan to the old Salford City Reds. Interest free, of course.
The deal is complicated (see here) – and even more, er, complicated given that the Salford Council bloke central to the deal – Martin Vickers – is now the Chief Exec of Salford Red Devils (he's got his own Award for this – click here).
Add these two interest free loans together and it comes to £12.26million of cash-strapped Salford Council money. That's enough to give over 24,500 people in Salford who are struggling this Christmas free loans of £500!
That would keep all hard-up Salfordians out of the hands of yer Wongas and sharks and a ladder out of credit card repayment hell. But, of course, in the words of Salford Mayor, Ian Stewart - who has been busy this year blocking computer access to pay day loan companies in public buildings – this would be "impossibilist"… but possible for big business only…
So, ladies and gentlemen, please doff your caps and pass the hat around for Peel and Koukash, as you acknowledge the winner of the Salford Star Mary Burns Interest Free Loans – But Not For Us Award
Salford City C-o-o-o-u-u-u-ncil
Applause
If a Council spokesperson would like to make an acceptance speech please use the comments box below – it's free.
Winners of the Salford Star Mary Burns Awards 2013
The Gimme That Crown Award – Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart – click here
The Exit Stage Left Award – Barbara Spicer – click here
The Excellence in Wrecking Salford Award – Peel Holdings – click here
Bum of the Year Award – Hazel Blears – click here
The Something Stinks In Salford Award – Martin Vickers – click here
Rent-a- Crowd of the Year Award - Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart - click here
The Ashley Jensen Award for Exposing Political Extremism – Assistant Mayor Gena Merrett – click here
The Eccellense In Speling Award - Greater Manchester Police Protestor Removal Team – click here
Trashing Salford Again You Scuzzy Fat Cat Loving, Poor People Hating, Northern Wrecking, Back Pocket Lining Arseholes Award - click here
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