13/12/2011 Look East - East

Welcome to Look East. In the programme tonight...

Resorting to pedal power. How high inflation and squeezed incomes are

hitting us in the east. It would be nice to have a bigger pay rise. But

we just have to cut back on things that are not really essential.

From bikes to beer. The squeeze is on in the run-up to Christmas. The

government says it is the only way. That combination of low interest

rates and taken the load out of tax and tax cuts for people on middle

incomes is a way to help struggling families.

The chief executive of the James Paget Hospital says she is to

retire in the interests of patients and staff.

And the inspiring story of the serviceman shot four times in

Afghanistan, warned he could lose a First tonight, how the economic

squeeze is affecting consumers in the East.

A number of surveys out this week will highlight the squeeze on

household incomes and the state of the economy. As you may have

already heard, the headline rate of inflation came down last month to

4.8%. But that will be cold comfort for most of us. Average earnings in

this region actually went down over the last 12 months by 0.1%. Which

means, for anybody in work, average living standards fell by nearly 5%.

That is having a big impact on business. Richard Bond is is at

Pulham Market in Norfolk. Welcome tune -- welcome to the

Cherry Lane Garden Centre, where staff are busy stocking up,

stacking shelves for doors to open tomorrow for another busy day of

Christmas trading. This is part of the QD chain, which has grown

rapidly over the last four years, going from 26 to 38 stores, in the

East of England. It is one of the chain benefiting from be consumer

squeeze. That has continued, down 5% year-on-year. I went to

Lowestoft to see how one family business is coping.

Richard Braybrook used to drive to work, but no more. We used to have

two cars, but we thought it was getting very expensive. Insurance

and petrol especially. It made sense to give away one of the cards

and start cycling. He works in Lowestoft. So many staff has

stopped driving to work, the company has had to build an extra

shed for all the bicycles. The company makes horticultural

equipment. The fact that living standards are being squeezed by

high inflation has helped this business. We have seen an increase

in grow your own projects and things for storing and harvesting

products. Storage racks, that sort of thing. The growth your own

market has been good. People think about saving money by growing their

own products. The staff got a 2% pay rise this year. But with

inflation at 5%, they are feeling the squeeze. It would be nice to

have a bigger pay rise. But we have to cut back on things that are not

really essential. I am trying to keep my field economy up, so I

drive around much slower and be more economic will. Things like

petrol make things harder. I try to cycle into work. The consumer

squeeze has sunk its claws into some of the leading blue-chip

companies. Shares in Thomas Cook have collapsed because people are

not be keen as many holidays. Passengers at Stansted Airport are

down 25% in four years. Because people are old -- because people

drive less, this class company has made 200 staff redundant nationwide.

Less driving means a few broken windows. The ways in which we are

saving pennies are affecting the economy in lots of different ways.

So consumers under pressure. Justin Farrington-Smith is the managing

director of QD Stores. How hard-up are people? I think it is a very

tough time. Interest rates have gone down, giving people more money

over the last 12 months, then not having that benefit over the last

12 months. People need to look for bargains. You say spending patterns

depend on the time of the month inure stores? We see people

spending more towards Speedy. That is those paid monthly. -- towards

days on which they are paid. We in these tough times past, assuming

both times will, do you think customers will desert you? I think,

once we have captured a customer, we keep them for a long time.

Having been around in this region for 25 years, the company is well

known and we try to keep people. We have seen more people are visiting,

but also seeing the average basket spend is decreasing. High is

trading going? Christmas trading is OK. We have seen improvements on

the run-up to Christmas. This has been a good week and I think we

will have a better December than over the last 12 months. Do you

think people have made sacrifices during the year and want a good

Christmas? I think people definitely want a good family

Christmas and we have to fight very defeat -- we have to fight very

hard for trading in January. important week for trading news.

Tomorrow unemployment and retail on first tonight. We shall bring you

those details. Thank you.

Another business that is feeling the effects of the current economic

climate is a micro-brewery in Northamptonshire. The award-winning

Christmas ale is made by Hoggley's. But this year, with the cost of

production going up, they decided not to make it.

This is Hoggley's, a brewery run by a family launched in 20 -- launched

in 2006 with redundancy money. Their wounds to start his Yuletide.

The malt is pale and quite a lot of crystal malt. -- their winter

starts his Yuletide. The flavours have some crystal malt, with the

taste of biscuits. It is like Christmas in a glass. Last

Christmas, 1,200 bottles were sold. Can I interest you in any Christmas

ales? But it seems to be too rich this year. Customers were telling

us that the price for the Yuletide ale was too big. Customers thought

it would be too much this time. As we have alternatives, it is cheaper,

customers went for that. It is not just the cost of the raw

ingredients, duty on their average bear is 45p per bottle. It is 64p

on the Yuletide ale. That puts the retail price over �3. In times of

pretension, people have to be glass half-full or glass half-empty, cure

the glass is completely empty. But the decision not to brew may have

cost them dear after the beer was included on an influential list of

the top ten winter ales worldwide. We decided not to brew it

economically, but we could have sold more of it had we gone ahead.

It is a bitter blow. They are not quite staring at the bottom of the

glass, but those extra sales would have made an extra Christmas

present. Earlier this afternoon, the

consumer affairs minister, Edward Davey, was in Bedford. He was there

to talk about the report by retail expert Mary Portas. It calls for

new measures to help traders in town centres. I began by asking him

what hope he could offer people feeling the pinch.

We are trying to help those are really struggling. We are taking

some of the lowest paid out of income tax. That is for people on

lower and middle incomes. We want pensions and benefits to call up

with inflation, to protect people when on low income has. There are

some good signs, but times are difficult. What about small

businesses, making up 99% of the East's economy? Many of them see

times are difficult. What hope can you give them? Small businesses are

crucial to the growth strategy. We want to remove some regulations, so

that business rate relief can continue to give assistance. We are

trying to work with the banks, through things like credit easing,

to make sure that small businesses can get the credit needed to invest

in businesses and to go off. What about the high streets? -- and to

grope. You even ask the bringers of made porters? How can you increase

things if people do not have the money to spend? -- you even asked

Mary Portas. Businesses need to collaborate and work with the local

authorities to get more investment and take on the challenge of the

Internet, the large supermarkets and out of town's shopping centres.

Mary Portas has charted a way forward. These are difficult times

in terms of people's finances, but as we try to take people on lower

and middle incomes out of tax, keep pensions up with the cost of living,

hopefully people will have the money to spend in the invigorated

high streets. What is your final message for those people do you

want to vote for you as they approach what is looking like it

could be a pretty stark Christmas? The most important thing, of course,

is to keep interest rates low. That combination of lower interest rates

and a low paid out of tax can help struggling families. Edward Davey,

thank you very much. So how is the squeeze affecting

your Christmas? Are you cutting back? We would like to hear from

you. You can call, e-mail or visit our Facebook page. We will be

looking at some of your stories later this week.

Still to come tonight... The students thinking twice about going

to university. And Kevin Burch in Colchester. The conflict in

Afghanistan has given many tragic stories, but tonight one of

inspiration involving a servicemen shot four times who was warned he

could lose a leg, but is now back playing football. More on that

The Chief Executive of the James Paget Hospital is stepping down.

The hospital has had two formal warnings over quality of care and

management criticised from local GPs.

When the Health Secretary visited the James Paget last month it was a

hospital in crisis. Its management found wanting by the Care Quality

Commission, the chairman falling on his sword. Peter Franzen became

interim chairman, but the much- criticised Chief Executive stayed

in her post. Some people think you are the problem and you should have

resigned. I know that has been said, but we are a team and I am part of

that. Everyone is focused on improving patient care, continuing

the good work and we want to take that forward. It is about

leadership, making sure that leadership at all levels, through

the hospital, is able to give within the trust and for the public

beyond an absolute assurance about the pursuit of policy. In a

statement today, Wendy Slaney It says Wendy Slaney will remain in

post until a successor is recruited. Insiders do not that she

effectively junked before being pushed. -- insiders do not doubt.

New research by the University of East Anglia claims up to 40% of

elderly or stroke patients have their medication delivered

incorrectly by nurses. They were given the wrong dose at the wrong

time. The research was supervised by Professor David Wright. He is

here now. A lot of people watching will be concerned for elderly

relatives in hospital or for themselves. Should people be?

not think they should be too concerned. Most of those areas

where medicine is given, it is too late, several hours after the

prescription is given. It is also where it is prepared by the nurse

and we think it could have been done better. Most will not harmed

the patients. How could it be done better? We looked at patients with

difficulties swallowing. It is involving where people would have

capsules. The nurses have to think about how to give that been the

easiest way. Sometimes it is perfectly safe, other times not. We

found instances where things could be done better. If you are given

the wrong dose daily, things could go wrong. I do not think these

where every day. It was one of errors, Ypres and nurses on

different days. It would happen to a patient wants them happen

different league to a different patient. Is this because we do not

have enough money -- we do not have enough nurses? I think it is

because of medicines are consequent -- a complicated. Some unease to

help patients with making decisions. It is for the pharmacy to inform

the nurses about different types of medicine. You cannot expect a nurse

to have all the knowledge. We need to work as a team. That way we can

decide what is best. This research was done a few years ago. Are

things getting better? I think things are getting better. We have

a -- an approach were pharmacies give better information. We know

that was well received. At this is not to frighten people. You will be

looked after well in hospital? Nurses will always try to do their

A seaside theatre in Suffolk maybe forced to close after its audiences

have fallen. It has been in business for over

100 years but ticket sales are down. Balancing the books have become a

struggle. There are four dressing rooms here. This theatre company is

one of many groups that calls this theatre home. It stages two shows

per year but fears that its short next April maybe it last. It seems

to be very dire. There is a threat that this theatre will be closed in

June. Local orchestras used it. Fundraisers and charities use it.

There is nowhere else for us to go. The order of the theatre, their

counsel, is spending �250,000 per year to keep the theatre afloat,

but funding will end next year. has come down to a point where it

is unsustainable. We are subsidising everybody who comes to

the door to the sum of �7.50. management team has been left with

no choice but to cancel shows and bookings after next June. I have

got shows that I have got booked in for the rest of the year which I

will now have to cancel. One hope is that a charitable trust might

take over the running of the theatre. But with just six months'

notice supporters who want to save the theatre will have their work

cut out. At teenager from Essex accused of

causing trouble during the eviction at the Dale Farm travellers' site

has been charged with a public order offence. The charge relates

to an incident on 19th October. The Seventeen-year-old has been

released on bail. He will appear in court in Basildon in January.

5 DVLA officers in our region look set to close. They are among 39 it

regional offices that the Government wants to shut. It says

that the proposal, which will now be consulted upon, will save money.

Norwich has been chosen to pioneer local TV. It is one of 20 places

where the government back wants to set up stations. Norwich was chosen

from a shortlist of 65. Bids from commercial and not-for-profit

organisations will be looked at. Southend United are at home at in

Back on the ball - the hero of Helmand.

The number of sixth-formers applying for a university place

this year is expected to fall by more than 2000 because of fears

about debt and unemployment. Next year most universities will

raise their fees to �9,000 per year. Most A-level students have to tell

the schools this week if they want to go to university. We have

discovered that even some of the brightest teenagers are thinking

twice before submitting application forms.

It may be the last week of term, but for these pupils big decisions

must be made. It is not a case of only where to apply, but even

whether to apply. From next year most universities will cost �9,000

per year in fees. That means these students could

start work owing �54,000. financial strain is enormous. We

know university is worth it, but we need to think about whether we need

to go because of the strain. We are trying to think of all the options.

Last year at this school 150 students it of 170 applied to go to

university. This year so far only 90 students could have 195 have

filled out application forms. This is one of the students who has

not applied for a place. The increase has bitten off further

study. He wants to go straight into the army. It made me think twice.

It could be a long while before I would pay it back. In my case going

to university was not the essential thing. This is one of the top-

performing schools in the region. For the first time ever I have had

parents wanting to talk to me. Suddenly we are talking about a

massive debt. For universities the pressure to fill courses is

mounting. A lack of funding at the University of East Anglia has

caused the School of Music to close. Anglia Ruskin University has said

it will no longer charge the top rate of fees.

It could be important to students coming from an economic background

- back coming from a more economic background. Hopefully some students

who were interested in staying locally will look at this as a

positive. The deadline for going to unit - luck -- the deadline for

applying to university is January 15th. Last year 15,000 students in

a region applied. This year it is believed the figure may be down by

15 %. That is 2000 students who will be looking for a job at a time

when youth unemployment is the highest in a generation.

If you are affected by the rise in university fees we would love to

hear your stories. Please contact No for an inspiring story. It is

about Tony Fitzpatrick, a paratrooper who was shot four times

last year while serving in Afghanistan. His injuries were so

bad he almost lost his leg. Happily that did not happen, but

Tony knows it was touch and go. Fast forward one year and things

look much better. The leg is getting stronger and amazingly Tony

is back doing what he loves to do - playing football. Our reporter went

to beat him. Tony Fitzpatrick is under no

illusions just how lucky he has to be walking, let alone playing

football. When you see the damage the bull has left behind you can

understand why. He was hit three times in the right leg and once in

the left leg. It was literally in and out but it is near the main

arteries. It missed the bone. I am a lucky man it really. It happened

in Helmand Province last December. He underwent five operations.

Amputation at one stage was a real possibility. I am one of the lucky

ones. Some people are not as lucky as me. Some people would love to be

able to walk let alone play football. I just have to keep my

fingers crossed and take each day as it comes. 20 warms up for a key

game in the our make-up. His team is playing against their viewers

rivals. -- against their rivals.

Neither side wants to lose. It is fast and ferocious. Tony

Fitzpatrick is loving it. He sums up the spirit of all this. He came

out of recovery and the first thing he said to us was that he would be

back fit to play next year. He is football mad. Being able to do that

now - I thank my lucky stars. man they call the tenacious

midfield dynamo was back to doing what he does best.

what he does best. What a terrific story.

Here is the weather: We had some wild weather last night. It was all

driven by this era of low pressure. There were gusts of 60 mph. It has

not been quite so windy today. But there has been much cooler air

coming in. Tonight will be frosty. It could be a icy patches on the

road. There are some isolated wintry showers lingering. By the

end of the night there will be a light south-westerly. Temperatures

well below. We could get a frost just about anywhere. It will be a

cold start tomorrow. There should be a fair bit of sunshine. One or

two places and make get away with a dry day. It will be chilly. Food

afternoon further spells of sunshine. Still the chance of

isolated wintry showers. On Thursday there maybe at area of

low-pressure. We are keeping an eye on it. That may bring rainfall

overnight on Thursday. There is uncertainty as to how far

northwards that will push. Once that moves away to the east it will

introduce north-westerly winds which means cooler temperatures by

the weekend. A potential for wintry showers over