27/01/2013 Sunday Politics North West

Are our new enterprise zones still I'm Arif Ansari. Coming up in the

North West: They're supposed to help local

business take off, but are the new enterprise zones still stuck on the

drawing board? And the exhibition inspired by a historic election

campaign, but which one? No answers on a postcard, please.

Find out later. My guests this week are former Cabinet Minister Hazel

Blears, the Labour MP for Salford and Eccles. And alongside her, the

Conservative MP for Wirral West, Esther McVey, who's also the

Minister for Disabled People. How disappointing is it that the

economy is contracting again? knew it was going to happen. We are

living in difficult times. The country has been built on debt over

the last 10 years. 10 months in a row we have had unemployment go

down. And we have got the highest rate of people in employment.

you pleased about the unemployment figures? The unemployment figures

may well have increased marginally, but a number of part-time jobs in

there, and people are saying to me all the time, I would like to be

working more hours, I would like to have more income coming in. But it

is impossible. A triple dip recession is something this country

has hardly ever known. It is not quite a triple-decker. -- triple-

decker. From April, people with

disabilities face changes to their benefits which mean that most will

be assessed for the first time. The system's being switched from

Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payments. But

,this week, the Warrington North MP, Labour's Helen Jones, told the

Commons that one constituent was so worried they would consider

euthanasia instead. Claire Hamilton reports.

Britain's Paralympians celebrating success at London 2012, where they

were credited with changing the public perception of people with

disabilities. Now the government stands accused of ignoring that

legacy by cutting the benefits which disabled people say keep them

living independent lives. Disability living allowance does

exactly that. This is money to let me live. It is the difference

between living and existing, and it does not go on frivolous or trivial

things. Kaliya Franklin from Hoylake has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome,

her joints dislocate frequently, she has limited mobility and finds

everyday tasks exhausting. Like a lot of disabled people, it is the

fear and uncertainty of not knowing what will happen to me. Whether I

will qualify and what the consequences of not qualifying will

be. Disability charities say half a million people will lose out under

the changes. They're also critical of the proposed assessment process.

Even those with a physical disability, he is very difficult

for an assessor to monitor how that impacts their day-to-day life.

Helen Jones told the Commons about a constituent who wrote to her.

said he believes the answer for him is the introduction of voluntary

euthanasia. Isn't it about time we had a proper debate on these

issues? The changes to benefits for disabled people will focus more

resources on those who are most in need. The changes coming in April.

If the test site and probably, do you agree with the principle?

principle should be that we support disabled people in this country and

there is a huge amount of concern. If you look at the tests, that has

been an absolute disaster. There is a gentleman I know who had ME, and

he was assessed as being fit to work. During the next few weeks, he

was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and he was still

diagnosed as fit for work. I think disabled people are genuinely

worried that the next set of changes, if moving into personal

independence payments, means they will miss out. We have had a city

council report in Salford which says a 1,000 people are likely to

be affected. The amount of worry and stress and strain is immense.

Is there enough confidence in the system? That is why I am glad you

have invited me on today. I have got to reassure people. We spend

�50 billion every year for benefits and support for disabled people and

we will continue to do that. will not reduce? There are a couple

of minutes I want to put away. The growth in the benefit had been 40 %

in 10 years and the cut is in the growth in the benefit. People need

to be supportive and that is what we are doing. This call for these

changes have been from both sides of the House. This was from the

Labour government from 2008-2009. We will learn from that failed

Labour initiative but when we introduced this, which I am helping

put through, we will get it right. How will you learn from those

mistakes? Because this was something we watched. But what will

you do differently? It was not ours in the first place. You have been

there for three years now. Be honest with people, this is about

saving �2 billion from some of the most vulnerable, the hardest hit

people, and they are worried to death about this. This is

scaremongering. Nobody who has got a benefit now will be reassessed

before 20th October 15. It is only new claimants. So you are not

aiming to save �2 billion? That is the truth of it. What had happened

under the Labour government, they had run out of money, overspent on

everything, and you have put his any predicament where we have got

to look at the budget and we have got to protect the most vulnerable.

That is why disability benefits will be going up in line with

infamy -- inflation. There is a gentleman who has just been to see

me who has had a massive heart attack, he has now had too many

strokes, the JobCentre said to him that he was fit for work. He will

be facing the test for personal independence payments. Is it any

wonder that he is worried to death? He is in a desperate state. You are

getting your information wrong. budget is huge. It is the largest

in Europe. Do you think we should be reduced in some way? I think we

have got to have a welfare reform and I do think that people who can

work should work. They have a responsibility to do that. But when

you see people with a massive disabilities, we saw on that film,

she is worried. You are going to have the job as the Minister of

facing these people and explaining to them why they are going to be in

this position. Are there any people with disabilities who have said you

this is a good idea? Yes, because when this was set up, he ate was

set up for people with physical disabilities. It never has it into

account people with a sensory, learning and cognitive disabilities.

Only 50 % of people with benefits have got assessments to go on that.

We want to help those people, review those awards and get this

right. We will wait and see. We need to move on.

They're called enterprise zones but they're not exactly travelling at

warp speed. It was two years ago when the Chancellor George Osborne

dusted off the 1980s concept. The zones aim to attract new businesses

by reducing tax and easing planning rules. Manchester Airport,

Liverpool Waterfront and BAE Systems in Lancashire are among

them. Elaine Dunkley's been finding out if they're working.

From high flying to health care. It's all about being in the zone -

the enterprise zone to be exact. BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire,

has been granted the status. It's the buzz word to attract big

business and, so far, companies are making the right noises. What we

have now got is a catalyst to kick- start a lot of good ideas. The

enterprise zones and provide all the rules, he has given a focal for

people to bring companies into rather than being a scattered

approach. We are in discussions with over 15 countries from across

the world. We have signed non- disclosure agreements with them.

is great to come here. Enterprise zones attracted much fanfare when

they were announced two years ago, but the real test is whether

they're attracting jobs. We don't think they are particularly good

way of creating jobs but they probably deem me to work harder. A

lot of them are construction site at the moment, which is fine, but

some of them would be creating jobs for five or 10 years. That is a lot

longer than necessary because we need them now. In Manchester,

things are beginning to take off. The aim is to create 16,000 jobs,

with manufacturers, hotels and offices. It is based on looking at

other airports cities across the world, particularly European

examples. Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Munich, and building of those and

creating a business destination. We will be developing the first stages

of infrastructure in spring of this year. In Manchester there are also

plans for a new medical park at Whythenshawe Hospital. This is

incredibly exciting for Manchester and the region because not only is

it going to offer at least 2,500 extra jobs for this region, he is

going to solidify the place of a Manchester in the north-west with

him that global life sciences industry and economy. But the

excitement isn't felt by everyone. These green fields in Hale Barnes

are part of the designated enterprise zone. Soon this will be

transformed into a logistics hub. Of the jobs that could be created,

only 20 % will be genuinely new jobs. It is a bit of spin to use

their jobs cut to justify development. The reality for us is

that we are going to lose our countryside. And it's a case of

back to the future. The Conservative Party first launched

enterprise zones in the early '80s and there are those that believe

they should be left in the past. We've probably would not like to

see them a focus on enterprise zones at all. We would rather they

government invested in development for small, innovative firms, have

access to capital for companies outside London and the south-east

who find it tough to get bank loans. I think measures like that would be

far more effective. So, not everyone is convinced, but for

those in the zone, there is real optimism that the economy could get

a real boost. And we're joined by Michael Taylor

from Downtown in Manchester, a group that lobbies on behalf of

local businesses. Are you convinced? It is a good instrument

to encourage economic growth. I went to SiliconValley last year in

California, one of the great entrepreneurial hot spots in the

global economy. Enterprise zones in America are in a derelict areas

with a old industries have died. The difference here is slightly

incorrect in the report because there are businesses already there.

If someone is going to relocate their engineering business to

supply a another business, they are going to do it anyway, if not

because there is �2,500 of rent to be saved. Manchester Airport is

another example. There is a lot of activity going on there anyway.

Local authorities, Labour-led local authorities have taken the

initiative by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat government to

lever in different sorts of pots of money and resources and that is a

can he way of working at a local level. What do you make of them?

They are not a new idea. Margaret Thatcher did them in 1981. I want

the new enterprise zones to do what they promise and that is to bring

masses of amount of jobs here. But we do want all our economic

activity concentrated in one area. I want to see it spread across

Greater Manchester and the north- west. Is there a danger having a

big one at Manchester Airport might suck business away from Salford?

think there is a danger for the whole of the north-west. I want to

see economic activity right across the region. And I would like to see

their government pressing on a bit more with Michael Heseltine's

report. There is some good stuff in it about devolving more powers to

the local level and really driving the economy. Let's see a bit of

action. It has got some great ideas in it. What do you make of the

concern that it might suck business away from other parts of the area?

That is why they have got to be strategically placed, which they

are. In Liverpool, we are bringing in the book from China. We are

going to have an international trade centre. There will be an

international business festival in 2014. If that will be the start of

that killed. I want to ask a question. I want to be able to ask

questions because that is my job. would like to be able to answer.

Are they moving fast enough? They always said they will be over about

25 years. When you bring in billions of pounds, he is not going

to happen overnight. You have got to go to wait public consultation.

That can take a long time. You have got to work with local democracy,

if you have got to bring the money in internationally and you have got

to let it grow. I would not expect it to be done again a year or two.

The Albert Dock took that long in Liverpool. That is why they are not

the sole answer. I am not against them. We have a million young

people in this country Corkery and of work. If the Government does not

have a plan for growth and jobs other than enterprise zones.

have got more people in jobs than ever before. Fat film thought about

small clusters if trying to get small innovation going. We have got

small creative industries here in Salford creating jobs. And that is

what is happening in an enterprise zone. Let me pick that up with

Michael. I can understand what your concerns are but one of the ideas

is that they focus and they expand. A new idea to bring pharmaceutical

companies to work alongside the hospital will bring international

flows of capital from there. They have a choice, if this is an

international marketplace. In the film, this book about looking for

inspiration from Amsterdam and Copenhagen. But this is building

success at on a success. Manchester airport is already doing quite well.

Thank you very much indeed. Time for the rest of the week's

news now. Here's Euan Doak in 60 Seconds.

Bottom of the class - Knowsley's secondary schools finished at the

foot of the government league tables for GCSE results. Just four

in ten children making the grade. Blackburn with Darwen Council

warned of more pain as it announced 500 job cuts to help save �30

million over the next two years. Libraries and leisure centres look

vulnerable. The Government does not have any money. Sheep farmers in

Cumbria are warning the price of lamb is about to rise because of

volatile weather. Heavy rain last year means the number of lambs

coming to market is about to fall. Getting the Royal seal of approval

- Prince Charles was in Halewood to celebrate half a century of Ford

and Jaguar cars rolling off the production line. I have been so

impressed to hear about the immense contributions. And campaigners have

lost their battle to keep the A&E unit at Trafford General Hospital

open round the clock. Managers say there weren't enough patients

coming through the door. Some concern about the education

league table. Why is it, after so many years of education reform from

both governments, that we are still in their approach? I think

education results are fundamental to children's success and that is

why in Salford we have seen a massive increase. We are starting

to plateau under this year and I want to see another drive.

Otherwise, if young people from poorer areas don't get a chance to

get those decent jobs. I think education is vital and I do a lot

of work with children from inner- city areas have to look at role-

models. He is about character types, personality types, and giving an

individual hope, aspiration and the ability to fulfil their dreams.

That is what I believe in and is imperative.

Maybe the biggest political story this week didn't take place in

North West England. The constitution of the United

States. Barack Obama being sworn in for the

second time. But four years ago, artist Nicola Green witnessed the

campaign that first led him to the White House. Now, her work, Seven

Days, is on display at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery. I've been to

meet her. This is called for Change. If this

is the only one that has got him in it. She first met Barack Obama

before he was famous her and she was driven to record the global

social impact of the election. husband was friends with him and he

came back from a trip and told me that this guy was thinking of

running for president. I started thinking as a mother about what the

fact of him even thinking about running might mean for my kids.

made seven visits to create Seven Days. This is from a photo I sought

in Philadelphia in 2008. That was the day they felt they had probably

won the election. Because of you, tonight I can stand here and stay I

will be the Democratic nominee for the President of the United States

of America. A successful artist, who she also became part journalist

and party political historian. was an artist, I was not a media

photographer. I felt it was my role to think about this story in a very

reflective way and to think about the imagery in a long-term way in

terms of history. The old images are on display in Liverpool and

have been acquired by the US Library of Congress. Yes we can.

Are you going to go and see that? Of course I will. What is the best

piece of political art you have seen? I love Vivienne Westwood, and

I loved the punk iconic picture of her transformed into Margaret