28/06/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening, welcome to Tuesday's Look North. Tonight: rising debts -

calls to crackdown on the doorstep lenders encouraging struggling

families to take out loans they can't repay.

Also tonight - what Yorkshire makes of the Olympic dream. We are life

at the Olympic park where it has been a grand Yorkshire Day Out. We

will discuss how benefits if -- businesses are benefiting from the

games and we will tour the stadium. And Speeding ahead - a petrol heads

paradise. The students who've designed their own racing car.

Richmond was looking great today, there could be more sunshine it in

The South Yorkshire MP is calling for a change in the law to stop

companies from supplying loans to vulnerable people and charging

interest rates of up to 4,000 %. Dan Jarvis says several of his

constituents have come to him for help because they have got into

financial difficulty. This woman in Barnsley knows what

it is like to be targeted by doorstep lenders. She borrowed �100

and pays back 150. We have protected her identity. Why did you

do it? Family circumstances. It was quick and easy and there were no

background checks. You could have money there and then. How did you

get out of it? I paid them off and said, please do not call any more.

I don't want to get into trouble. They badgered me every time I went

past on the street. This is where many come for help. Credit unions

like this one are seeing more and more people who have run up debts

with loan companies. People get to a point whereby if a doorstep

lender will not come the door. They are that desperate, they will take

it. It is only afterwards that they realise what they have got

themselves into. They are at the end of their tether. They don't

know what to do and who to turn to. The credit union now has more than

3,000 members. Around 80 % of them have borrowed money from loan firms,

at rates of up to 4,000 %. Working door to door in Sheffield, this man

used to offer loans to people needing cash. How did you feel

about the job you're doing at the time? If it was grubby. I wasn't

happy with it. I only did it for 12 months. It wasn't a pleasant job at

will. I was glad to pack it in. You realise when you were doing it,

that you were exploiting people. as people struggled to pay the

bills, it is not hard to see how loan companies get their business.

To many families, they feel they have no other option.

A number of you have been getting in touch about this issue. Peter

Golding said, I have had them come to my door selling their services.

Last time you could get 100 pounds of high streets for edges --

veggies and pay them back. -- and vouchers. Joanne says, the problem

is people on low income at don't have anywhere else to go. Who else

can help them at other than a loud -- loan shark?

London 2012 is drawing closer and today was the day Yorkshire

companies and athletes got to see behind the scenes of the Olympic

Park. Tanya joins us live from there now.

This of course is the Olympic stadium ready ahead of scheduling.

Further round there, that is where the basketball will be played.

There is that beautiful curved roof which is the feller drone. There is

a huge amount of building still going on. Yorkshire has had a huge

part to play in this. From the footbridge to the roads, to the

steel girders, even the wild flowers that are going to be dotted

around here. Yorkshire has played its part -- it's part. If they have

spent quite a bit of money there. Marking the occasion and the page.

An Olympic branding. These products go on sale in August and every one

of them will have come from a warehouse in Pickering. Being part

of it in terms of a souvenir makes us proud. The forecast for the

Olympics products would mean our forecast is 20 % more next year in

terms of Paul Cooke related gives the sold. There is no doubt we

would have expanded. How much of the economy benefits are our art

remain to be seen it. 200 contractors have been involved.

Representatives from some of those firms have been given a chance to

witness their work first hand. David Preston's company has

transported Ovett 1,500 vehicles worth of steel to the side. -- over

We have delivered steel and concrete. To see the culmination of

it up in the air and ready is incredible. It is a privilege to

see this. It gives me an immense sense of proud -- pride. It is hard

to put a figure on how much our economy will benefit. They have

spent time and money attracting local business to Yorkshire.

Perhaps the best place to decide what will be a success.

I caught up with the chairman of Yorkshire gold, Gary Verity, I

asked him how much money did need to be generated for this to have

been deemed a success? If it is difficult to put a figure on it. If

you look at the success Yorkshire has had so far, if you look at the

smattering of people that have been here, they have produced 80 % of

the hard paving people will be standing on. 50 % of the timber has

been supplied by S. There is another �450 million of business up

for grabs and we need to make sure that we get some of that.

How much money has been spent trying to generate the Business and

teams come to the region? Generating teams has been peanuts

in the great scheme of things. There are many of these businesses

that you featured as had been featured in the past, who are

heavily into the construction industry which has taken a big dip

in the economic downturn we are in. It is -- it is clear to see what it

is doing for London. Thousands will be coming here and seeing London.

How does that affect Yorkshire? If they are not looking at Yorkshire.

They will be because they have spent six days coming through

Yorkshire. From the tourism point of view, people have a choice, if

they are coming overseas, they can either stop in London with all the

pluses and minuses of that, or they can come to Yorkshire. There are

many benefits for us. To give you an idea of some of the things up

for grabs, they want 23-27 temporary saunas. That contract is

up for grabs. Join me later when we will be taking a tour of the park

and going inside the stadium. A thank you for that.

Let us return to our top story and the South Yorkshire MP calling for

a change in the law to stop companies from supplying loans to

vulnerable people and charging interest rates of up to 4,000 cent.

Dan Jarvis has said his constituents have come to him for

help because they have got into financial difficulty. He joins us

now from Westminster. How have your constituents been affected? It has

been clear that there is an issue in these difficult times, of people

who have been taken advantage of by the legal loan sharks who have

offered money at extortionate rates. Because of their lack of

availability of affordable credit, people have fallen into the trap of

taking these loans at a high rate. This has been a real issue. Tonight

we have the chance to persuade the Government to do something about it.

This was agreed in polymers five months ago that something would be

done. That hasn't happened. -- this was agreed in Parliament. We have

to regulate this market to reduce this problem. Many people will be

alarmed that there are interest rates of several thousand %. That

It shouldn't be legal. In these difficult times when lots of people

are facing the pinch, if you do need credit, if you need to borrow

money to get through these difficult times, you should take

proper advice. In my constituency in Barnsley, from the South

Yorkshire credit union or other unions that exist across Yorkshire.

Not to take loans that are extortionate. It should not be

legal and we are trying to force the Government to bring in

legislation to make sure they are not able to do it in the way they

are at the moment. The effects on people are incalculable. Will the

Government listen and do something about this? I am not confident. We

still don't know what way the Government will respond. I hope the

Government will do the right thing, see sense and agree to this

amendment. It is in the interests of hundreds of thousands of people

across the country who have fallen into it vicious circles of debt

because they have taken out these loans at extortionate rates. I

don't think it is right that these companies should be able to operate

in a way that they do. They shouldn't be allowed to get away

with it. Thank you very much for joining us.

If tonight, the parents of a soldier from Wakefield to deaden

Afghanistan have collected a medal from the Queen on his behalf.

Corporal Matthew Stenton was shot as he attempted to rescue another

soldier. He was awarded a posthumous Military Medal for his

medal -- for his bravery. The great and the good went to

Buckingham Palace today to be honoured by the Queen. Unknown to

them, there was an earlier ceremony, and Military Cross given to

Corporal Matthew Stenton. He gave his life to his country and friend.

He tried to save a wounded soldier while himself under heavy fire in

Afghanistan. For his comrades, the medal and a -- the man, a sense of

grief and pride. He was amazing. It is great that the country

recognises the extreme act of bravery. It is immense and we are

so proud of him. Matthew was buried last summer by his colleagues. A

tragedy for his family. They have spoken of their pride in their son.

Matthew Stenton chose to be buried here in a military ceremony among

the fallen. Amongst the graves of many before him. Confirmation that

The Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield welcomed its 100,000th visitor this

afternoon, less than five weeks after it was officially opened. The

gallery, which is the largest exhibition space outside London is

home to pieces created by Dame Barbara Hepworth, and other local

talent. The �35 million building has brought home some rare works

from the Wakefield-born artist. Campaigners for a high speed rail

link to Yorkshire have gathered in Leeds Millennium Square today. The

Government has already backed a project to develop a high speed

line to Birmingham. But campaigners want to make sure plans to extend

the 200 mile per hour train service to Leeds are followed through. They

say the economic benefits of such a service would bring millions of

pounds worth of business to the region. We want to bring it to

Yorkshire to close the north, south divide. We want to reduce journey

times to London. We want businesses to invest in Yorkshire. I believe

by closing that gap and reducing journey times, we can bring that

about. Residents on an estate in

Chesterfield are campaigning to have a bus service reinstated. Last

month, the bus company diverted one of its services away from their

homes. Instead they face an uphill walk to the closest stop, and there

are fears some elderly people might now be stuck at home.

Still to come: Speeding ahead. The schoolchildren who've designed

Well, let's go back to the Olympic Stadium. Tanya, you're one of few

people who's actually been inside. So, the burning question is, what

is it like? And we were very privileged. We

were allowed onto the bus! It is hard to explain. I have been in a

lot of stadiums, but it had a ready nice feeling about it. It might be

a strange thing to say, but it had a nice feeling to it. It is about

the sport, and we were very lucky to get a tour around the whole site.

It is about the size of Alton Towers. A couple of Yorkshire

athlete were with us, who will hopefully be competing here next

year. We had a special tour guide. The Olympic gold medallist triple-

jumper Jonathan Edwards. I have been involved in this since the bid

phase. We always said it was not just about two weeks of Olympic

sports and a weaker Paralympic sport, it was about the country --

a week of Paralympic sport. This is great, coming here. I have been so

excited about this. Matin burn-out was also on board.

The aquatic centre where Jack hopes to dive is one of the iconic

buildings. This was as close as we got. It looks great from the

outside. It looks magnificent. It would be nice to go inside. It is

so much more impressive when you were here. It is bigger than I

thought it was going to be. lackeys around 450 hectors, about

three and a half kilometres long, and takes 20 minutes to walk from

end to end. We got to stop at the Olympic Stadium and get off to take

a boat aground. It is absolutely great. It is massive! Everything

looks fantastic. The it is lovely! It is nerve-racking. You get goose

bumps. We stared where you could be competing -- we are stowed away you

could be competing. Hopefully, it will not be as hard as this. I hope

above be here next year. You do tours like this regularly. Is the

reaction always the same? Completely. Even that I was here

three weeks ago, I get all struck. The transformation of this site is

amazing. I think what has been achieved here is fantastic.

still live in the north-east, not a million miles from Yorkshire. Do

you feel you have to sell the games outside of London? There is a sense

of people thinking, it is fantastic the UK has the game's, but what is

in it for us? When I sit down with people and say this is our

education programme, these are the businesses which have won contracts

and this is what is happening, people think, there is a real

effort to here and a will to make the benefits of the game spread

beyond London. I think there is a lot to be proud of. Aalto people

disappointed they missed out on tickets. Using that has dented it?

People are disappointed, obviously. I understand that. The reality is

that, there was only so many tickets. Many more people applied,

so there was always going to be that disappointment. They will be

about another million tickets released towards the end of the

year. They run lots of free events, like the road cycling, that should

be very good from the British perspective. When you're here,

looking around, do you wish you could roll back the clock and be

out there going for gold again? have never had that moment of

regret, but being here and thinking what it would be like, I would love

to have been competing here. It will be an experience like none

other for British athletes. Again she would expect someone like me to

be pretty excited by being here, but when you saw excitement from

Martin Byrne lad who has competed around the world, you raided got a

sense of what these games will mean. 's a Jonathan said he was awestruck.

-- Jonathan said he was awestruck. They are ban on track now and most

things that ahead of schedule. -- most things are ahead of Schedule.

The inside of the aquatic centre is spectacular. They have kept diving

boards. They are magnificent. Everything is very much going to

plan. It is a very calm feeling. There is no sense they are having

to rush. Thank you, Tanya. I am sure there is a sense of relief.

Just one update to bring you in other sporting news. Doncaster

Rovers have this evening announced the signing of defender Tommy Spurr

from South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. The left-back,

seen here scoring against Barnsley in 2010, has signed a two-year

contract for an undisclosed fee. He made over 200 appearances for the

Owls, and is expected to be a much needed addition to bolster Donny's

defence. When I was at school, the nearest

we got to motor racing was watching it on the telly. But these days,

they do motor racing at school, if you're in Filey, that is. Eight

young teenagers at Filey School have been working for months on

their very own racing car, and they'll be taking it to compete at

the Croft Race Circuit next Wednesday. Cathy Killick's been to

The Filey Flyer is not your average racing car, and this is not your

average track. It is a school playground. But carries been put

together by this lot. 13 and 14- year-old who have given up months

of Tuesday evenings. Listen, no engine noise. This baby is electric.

There is no engine, just two 12 fault batteries. A favoured Pat has

been getting their car to work. We thought it would take ages and ages,

but we managed to get it working in the end -- my favourite part has

been getting their car to work. This is what it will before, a race

where it pays to be a tortoise, not a hair. We have to get as many

miles in four hours as we can. I am getting a bit nervous. There is

five drivers. You have to keep checking the batteries. As well as

the engineering involved, the children have learned to work as an

efficient pits stop team. What are the chances? Realistically, if we

can stay on there for four are was, that would be superb. If they make

the top three, Goodwood beckons for the Grand Final.

What the difference in temperatures. We have gone from 32 down to 17.

So much over, then? Let me assure you two quick

That is just outside repent. And Storms where across Lincolnshire

and Norfolk today. We have had a fairly nondescript day. Tamara it

looks bright 10. Tomorrow, some sunshine and a scattering of

showers. Friday should be a nice day, and on Saturday. In the short

time, there is a lot of cloud around. I think we will keep that a

West... Be cloud should gradually break up. Many of us will have a

dry night with clear skies, with lows down to six or seven in

Grassington. The sun will rise in the morning at 4:38am, setting at

9:40pm. It is a lovely, bright day. They should be a good deal of

sunshine. Temperatures rise as you might expect. They will be a

scattering of showers, especially into the afternoon. Quite a few

places will stay dry. The wind will be moderate and from the West. Top

temperatures, around 18. Inland, around 19 in Leeds and Sheffield. A

similar day on Thursday, with sunny spells and a few scattered showers.

Friday and Saturday not looking too bad. A lot of dry weather in

general. At least you can sleep at night

now! Be far we go, let's go back to In 13 months, the best sportsmen