0:01:01 > 0:01:04In the North West: Ditching the dole. We take a look at the
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Blackpool experiment getting families back to work. And - the
0:01:07 > 0:01:17cruel sea. Residents in this Cumbrian chalet park tell us why a
0:01:17 > 0:01:17
0:01:17 > 0:31:24Apology for the loss of subtitles for 1806 seconds
0:31:24 > 0:31:29row over flood defences, has left Welcome to the Politics Show in the
0:31:29 > 0:31:32north west. In this week's programme: Ditching the dole - we
0:31:32 > 0:31:35take a look at the Blackpool experiment getting families back to
0:31:36 > 0:31:39work. And - the cruel sea. Residents in this Cumbrian chalet
0:31:39 > 0:31:42park tell us why a row over flood defences, has left them at risk of
0:31:42 > 0:31:44losing their homes Welcome to this, our last programme
0:31:44 > 0:31:54before Christmas and we're in Blackpool - in fact we're in
0:31:54 > 0:32:03
0:32:03 > 0:32:08Blackpool tower. Now, as you know, unemployment is rising and so is
0:32:08 > 0:32:11the country's reliance on benefits. But a new scheme's being piloted in
0:32:11 > 0:32:14this town to try and tackle the problem. Out of work families are
0:32:14 > 0:32:17being given motivational coaches called "family champions" to help
0:32:17 > 0:32:27them get jobs and break the benefit culture. But there is criticism
0:32:27 > 0:32:28
0:32:28 > 0:32:32that it's not enough. Be to go on this job side here. MS Taylor is a
0:32:32 > 0:32:40mother of five, and has relied on benefits for years, today she is
0:32:40 > 0:32:46working with a family champion to get back to work. I'm trying to
0:32:46 > 0:32:52build up my confidence. It is not easy. I have to fit things around
0:32:52 > 0:33:00the kids, school, things like that. You need qualifications, and
0:33:00 > 0:33:03different are things. It is quite hard. There are seven of family
0:33:03 > 0:33:12champions working with 70 a Blackpool's most vulnerable
0:33:12 > 0:33:16families. They help with confidence and things like CV writing. This
0:33:16 > 0:33:21year the government has spent over �1 billion on social security
0:33:21 > 0:33:27benefits, that is just in Blackpool. The scheme is part of a two year
0:33:27 > 0:33:30pilot run by Barnardo's. difficult is it for some of these
0:33:30 > 0:33:37families to get into work? It is very typical, in the current
0:33:38 > 0:33:42climate. -- very difficult. Some of these families have never worked
0:33:42 > 0:33:47before. The whole routine, everything changed in, that all
0:33:47 > 0:33:52need to be taken into consideration about getting a job. Can you
0:33:52 > 0:33:57actually help families who don't want to work? There are families
0:33:57 > 0:34:01like that. I'm not going to say that there are not those families
0:34:01 > 0:34:06out there. Some of that is about changing perceptions. There are red
0:34:06 > 0:34:12lot of families who say they do not like being labelled like that. They
0:34:13 > 0:34:16say that if they could get a job, they would. -- do not like being
0:34:16 > 0:34:23labelled. Blackpool council say they are
0:34:24 > 0:34:33tackling unemployment in the town. I'm highly sceptical that all they
0:34:33 > 0:34:40need it is to be giving conference. I'm not sure what jobs there are
0:34:40 > 0:34:45plenty inspired. Surely this is a good thing though? We are working
0:34:45 > 0:34:55with 78 individuals at the current time, and ten of them are now in
0:34:55 > 0:34:58
0:34:58 > 0:35:07employment. Half a million pounds to 10 million get ten people into
0:35:07 > 0:35:12jobs. There are those that it has helped, it has been like changing.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17This woman is a 22-year-old mother of two. Both her and her husband
0:35:17 > 0:35:22had been out of work. They both got jobs in the scheme, she now works
0:35:22 > 0:35:29as a carer. It has made a huge difference to their lives. We can
0:35:29 > 0:35:35pay our bills. Weekend treat ourselves, go out for a meal. -- we
0:35:35 > 0:35:41cannot treat ourselves. It is a big thing in our relationship. The
0:35:42 > 0:35:51children are very happy. What skills did Bonar those give you --
0:35:52 > 0:35:52
0:35:52 > 0:36:00did Barnardo's give you? They encourage me. I had low confidence.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04They brought it right up. A thank you Barnardo's! As for ever, the
0:36:04 > 0:36:10wait for a job continues. Is it important for your children to see
0:36:10 > 0:36:18working? Yes. It is very important. I don't want them thinking that
0:36:18 > 0:36:27that is how they mum was, not working. -- their mum wars. They
0:36:27 > 0:36:37have to get themselves a job. Joining the now are two MPs from
0:36:37 > 0:36:37
0:36:37 > 0:36:44Blackpool. -- joining any now. This working initiative is a coalition,
0:36:44 > 0:36:52is a different from David Cameron's pledge to get 120,000 families into
0:36:52 > 0:36:55work? It is part of that wider response. There are a number of
0:36:55 > 0:37:01families up and down the country who have not had the chance to be
0:37:01 > 0:37:06in work yet. Sometimes getting into work is quite a simple intervention,
0:37:06 > 0:37:16enabling childcare, or giving them some skills. This is just one part
0:37:16 > 0:37:16
0:37:16 > 0:37:22of that. Would you say this is a knee-jerk reaction? I would not.
0:37:22 > 0:37:27There are significant questions, the devil is always in the details.
0:37:27 > 0:37:36This particular pilot project was inherited in Blackpool by the
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Labour council last May. It is quite a complex one. It involves
0:37:40 > 0:37:45Barnardo's, volunteers. That is where some of the criticism has
0:37:45 > 0:37:50come in. It is largely reliant on volunteers. I do not have a problem
0:37:50 > 0:37:57with that. It is important that the voluntary sector are involved in
0:37:57 > 0:38:07these projects. The issue is that we make sure the process is not
0:38:07 > 0:38:08
0:38:08 > 0:38:12over-complex. We do not want it to become a daisy-chain where families
0:38:12 > 0:38:20have passed from pillar to post. It is not like a makeover TV programme
0:38:20 > 0:38:30way you can pilot people in. It is quite a complex process. I thought
0:38:30 > 0:38:32
0:38:32 > 0:38:36that the idea was that David Cameron wanted to remove red tape.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40certainly if you look at that the expenditure, we are trying to
0:38:40 > 0:38:46simplify that intervention process. We try to make sure that fewer
0:38:46 > 0:38:50agencies are doing more. You talk about a handful of families. The
0:38:50 > 0:38:55council leader in Blackpool has said that only 10 families have so
0:38:55 > 0:39:02far been held, at a cost of half a million pounds. That would be
0:39:02 > 0:39:06inaccurate. We're trying to tackle issues of long-term unemployment.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11We have a family nurse partnership, that does fantastic work with
0:39:11 > 0:39:18younger parents, insuring that they start off as they mean to go on.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Everything that we are doing is part of a culture of early
0:39:22 > 0:39:27intervention. If you teach the skills early on, you reap the
0:39:27 > 0:39:35benefits in the decades to come. The coalition has remove the money
0:39:35 > 0:39:39from early intervention budgets, hasn't it? We really give more
0:39:39 > 0:39:47power to local government, you give them hard choices that they have to
0:39:47 > 0:39:52make. Sometimes hard choices are evolving blame. The big issue about
0:39:52 > 0:39:59early intervention is also about making sure the structures are
0:39:59 > 0:40:07simple, and easy for people to understand. I know from my casework
0:40:07 > 0:40:11that there are families with complex problems. There are multi-
0:40:11 > 0:40:15agency structures to deal with that. We need to make sure that the do
0:40:15 > 0:40:20not get too complicated, and they don't end up spending a lot of
0:40:20 > 0:40:24money on a relatively small number of people. We need to make sure,
0:40:24 > 0:40:32especially in Blackpool, that these projects fit in with the existing
0:40:32 > 0:40:35people in the existing communities. Those are quite difficult balances.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40There are 330 chalets at Earnse Bay in Walney near Barrow. It's
0:40:40 > 0:40:43supposed to be a place for people to live and enjoy their retirement.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47But there's a big problem - the sea is eroding the coastline and
0:40:48 > 0:40:53getting closer and closer to the homes. A flood barrier could keep
0:40:53 > 0:40:58the tide away for twenty years or so. But so far nobody is prepared
0:40:58 > 0:41:01to pay for it. They've got a problem neighbour at
0:41:01 > 0:41:07West Shore Park. A daily visitor gradually stealing bits of the
0:41:07 > 0:41:11coastline. John Fletcher and his wife Jeanette moved here about
0:41:11 > 0:41:21seven years ago. John enjoyed watching the tide until it started
0:41:21 > 0:41:21
0:41:21 > 0:41:31to get closer. At the beginning it was beautiful. Everything was
0:41:31 > 0:41:31
0:41:32 > 0:41:36perfect. All of a sudden we had a couple of storms and it was just
0:41:36 > 0:41:46disappearing before our eyes. It is getting frightening. Do you think
0:41:46 > 0:41:47
0:41:47 > 0:41:55you made a mistake by in this place? At the moment, yes. Over the
0:41:55 > 0:42:00last 6-7 years it has been eroded all the way back here. The owners
0:42:00 > 0:42:03fear they are running out of time to save the chalets. Actually the
0:42:03 > 0:42:06danger's not just coastal erosion but flooding. It could take out the
0:42:06 > 0:42:13site's sewerage and electricity. That's why people here are
0:42:13 > 0:42:19desperate for a flood barrier. Everybody knows that it needs doing,
0:42:19 > 0:42:25it is getting someone to pay for it. Who do want to pay for it? We don't
0:42:25 > 0:42:30really mind! As long as someone does. Could you guys favourite?
0:42:30 > 0:42:34cannot really afford it. Our life savings are in our homes. And those
0:42:34 > 0:42:40homes are in real danger. So they've sent a petition to their MP.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44And he's now trying to arrange a meeting to find a compromise.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49think it is clear that everyone is going to have to contribute. We
0:42:50 > 0:42:53need to get all sides around the table, and make a contribution to
0:42:53 > 0:42:58be a more permanent solution. that solution would be costly.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02Local people believe �150,000, Barrow council says �680,000. The
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Environment Agency doesn't sound keen, in a statement it told us:
0:43:06 > 0:43:16"When allocating funding we must make sure that we get the est value
0:43:16 > 0:43:18
0:43:18 > 0:43:21for money for every pound we spend. -- best value. We are aware of the
0:43:21 > 0:43:24issue and we are working with Barrow Borough Council to find out
0:43:24 > 0:43:31what can be done to further protect the area." And Barrow Council says
0:43:31 > 0:43:36it has to balance its priorities. We have responsibilities there. It
0:43:36 > 0:43:43does not mean we have to act in every circumstance. Coastal defence
0:43:43 > 0:43:52work is an extremely defensive process. You're not going to do
0:43:52 > 0:43:57anything about it? It is a business. They own the land, and I think the
0:43:57 > 0:44:03prime responsibility lies with them. So that leaves Embra, the company
0:44:03 > 0:44:13which owns the site. If they were bricks-and-mortar properties they
0:44:13 > 0:44:15
0:44:15 > 0:44:21would be already protected. It is not just a business, it is a public
0:44:21 > 0:44:25access road. That is for emergency services, the airport, and local
0:44:25 > 0:44:28residents. Barrow council says even a full coastal defence would only
0:44:28 > 0:44:35last about 20 years. It's left the people here with the very worst
0:44:35 > 0:44:45kind of cliffhangar - a real life one.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49
0:44:50 > 0:44:59We have picked the right day to witness how ferocious EC can be. --
0:45:00 > 0:45:06
0:45:06 > 0:45:13the ocean can be. You're absolutely right. I have been two houses what
0:45:13 > 0:45:21-- I have been to places where coastal erosion has been a problem.
0:45:21 > 0:45:27We are spent �100 million here. It has been a major project. Not just
0:45:27 > 0:45:35in terms of preventing flooding, but he gave us money to help we
0:45:35 > 0:45:41develop the land, and partially fund some of the improvements.
0:45:41 > 0:45:50suppose the problem is, the money would not be available now?
0:45:50 > 0:45:59government moved to a system of flood risk management. It means
0:45:59 > 0:46:09that some time DC's going to come in -- some time the water is going
0:46:09 > 0:46:10
0:46:10 > 0:46:15to come in. We have massive floods back in 2007. We are trying to
0:46:15 > 0:46:18focus the funding it on areas of deprivation, where people might not
0:46:18 > 0:46:22have the insurance to protect themselves. We are trying to make
0:46:22 > 0:46:29sure the money goes where could make the most difference. One of
0:46:29 > 0:46:34the areas that do not meet the criteria or. They were still get
0:46:34 > 0:46:38some money, the idea is to part fund some of the projects. That
0:46:38 > 0:46:44will mean the benefits will be spread more widely. Do you agree
0:46:44 > 0:46:50with this? Should be sometimes let nature do its thing? -- should we
0:46:50 > 0:46:59sometimes let nature do its thing? We are going to face difficult
0:46:59 > 0:47:03decisions. It is an issue local authority is as well. It is about
0:47:03 > 0:47:10striking the right balance, and clearly here in Blackpool, our
0:47:10 > 0:47:14tourism is so important, it was the right thing to do. The most
0:47:14 > 0:47:19important thing is that people have a say in that process, and that
0:47:19 > 0:47:23comes up from the bottom, not just a question of bureaucrats saying
0:47:24 > 0:47:32things. If people do not have a say in that process, they will be less
0:47:32 > 0:47:35inclined to accept the results. We'll have to stop you there. Now,
0:47:35 > 0:47:38a roundup of this week's events. Manchester City Council has had a
0:47:38 > 0:47:40mention in parliament this week for stopping some school crossing
0:47:40 > 0:47:44patrols. Communities Minister Andrew Stunnell told the Commons
0:47:44 > 0:47:47the move was "wholly disproportionate". The council say
0:47:47 > 0:47:50they will stay outside of schools where there is a high risk of
0:47:50 > 0:47:53accidents. The deputy Prime Minister was Widnes in this week to
0:47:53 > 0:47:58confirm that the Government will invest �9m in the stobart group's
0:47:58 > 0:48:01distribution hub there. The money will help the firm expand its
0:48:01 > 0:48:11operation on the Mersey, hopefully creating thousands of jobs in the
0:48:11 > 0:48:13
0:48:13 > 0:48:19process. We have one clear overriding criteria, it is jobs,
0:48:19 > 0:48:24jobs, jobs. The great thing about these kind of projects is that all
0:48:24 > 0:48:27being well, they are jobs that will last for years. Less cheerful news
0:48:27 > 0:48:32for the public sector. Its been announced that another 400 jobs are
0:48:32 > 0:48:35to go at Oldham council to save �24.5m. That's on top of 340 job
0:48:35 > 0:48:38losses announced in the last round of cuts. The government has set the
0:48:38 > 0:48:45date on which mayoral referendums will take place in 11 city councils,
0:48:45 > 0:48:49including Liverpool and Manchester. It'll be 3rd May.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52Now, just before we go, it turns out we're not the only ones in town
0:48:52 > 0:48:55making films about politics. Four sixth formers from Cheadle Hulme
0:48:55 > 0:48:58School near Stockport have walked away with the top prize in a
0:48:59 > 0:49:08national competition. The Political Studies Association asked them to
0:49:09 > 0:49:11
0:49:11 > 0:49:21talk about "Why Politics Matters". Here's a flavour of what they said.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24
0:49:24 > 0:49:28Young people are a force for change in history. They can change society.
0:49:28 > 0:49:37The basic political questions lead us to an understanding about
0:49:37 > 0:49:46society, and principles which will shape our future.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50Congratulations to those sixth- formers. Maybe not representative?
0:49:50 > 0:49:56I was at a local school here, and they were just as engaged here in
0:49:56 > 0:50:00politics, and what the Prime Minister could, or could not do. It
0:50:00 > 0:50:10is good to see the UN getting involved. Do you think I'm being
0:50:10 > 0:50:16unfair? I think they are interested in politics, from their perspective,
0:50:16 > 0:50:21maybe not the perspective of the national media. When I go around my
0:50:21 > 0:50:26schools in Blackpool, I get lots of issues, green issues, practical
0:50:26 > 0:50:33things. You have to involve young people. We have a fantastic Schools
0:50:33 > 0:50:37Council here. We have to give them some power, and we do, they get to
0:50:37 > 0:50:46decide on some bits of the Budget. Then they will last summer the
0:50:46 > 0:50:50bigger questions, like what we think about the euro?
0:50:50 > 0:50:56Thank you very much for joining us. Well that's it for this week and
0:50:56 > 0:50:59this is our last programme before Christmas. From January we become
0:50:59 > 0:51:03the Sunday Politics, broadcasting from our new Salford base at Media
0:51:03 > 0:51:06City. You'll see a few changes in the programme, but rest assured,
0:51:06 > 0:51:10we'll still be bringing you the best political stories from around