“I hope that at this early stage the NHS trust will review their decision and take this opportunity to try and widen access to NHS dentistry in the Whitefield Area, I strongly feel a failure to provide general dentistry services will amount to a missed opportunity to improve dental health for local people.”

“We need action now from the Council, working with the School Governors to boost the schools prospects for next year and we need this Council to sort out once and for all Labours legacy of meddling with the failed high school review.

As I write Gordon Brown is re-shuffling his cabinet. Ostensibly billed as an attempt to sharpen up his front bench, refresh the cabinet and relaunch his premiership the same problems nevertheless remain.

The key problem is the Labour Government is tired and running out of steam. Its lost the trust of the people on many of the key issues and even its own backbenchers now doubt Brown’s leadership.  So that is perhaps why he is turning to old hands, Mandelson and Beckett. 

Trouble is how ever much he shuffles his pack there are the same old suits and more than a couple of jokers.   

Gordon Brown’s proposals to deal with the economic slowdown are too little too late, say Bury Liberal Democrats. 

The party has published its own package of proposals designed to help people left struggling by the credit crunch. And the plans are being strongly backed by members in Bury.

The Liberal Democrat measures include tax cuts for low and middle income households, stopping unnecessary repossessions, action to cut energy bills and moves to stop reckless banks jeopardising economic security.

Bury South parliamentary spokesperson, Vic D’Albert, said:  “Gordon Brown’s response to the economic crisis has been too little, too late.

“Right across Bury from Prestwich to Tottington and across Britain people are struggling with rising bills, rising prices, and wages that aren’t keeping up.

“If the Prime Minister really wants to help people on low and middle incomes he should take the simple and obvious step of cutting their taxes, releasing billions of pounds to boost the economy. 

“The Liberal Democrats have consistently called for action to cut energy bills, stop irresponsible behaviour by banks and deliver more help for those threatened with repossession. If Gordon Brown had acted when we first raised these issues we would not be in as deep a mess as we are.” 

Key points of the Lib Dem Fairer Future Economic Recovery Plan

• Put more money in people’s pockets – tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes

• Stop unnecessary home repossessions and provide more affordable housing

• Make energy companies reinvest their windfall profits in cutting bills

• Extra help for people in debt or who lose their jobs

• Tough new rules to limit the excesses of the City