0:00:34 > 0:00:37On the Politics Show in the North: We investigate claims that some of
0:00:37 > 0:00:39our industrial towns are missing out on millions of pounds worth of
0:00:39 > 0:00:49European cash. And why many Tories are stepping up
0:00:49 > 0:00:49
0:00:49 > 0:36:35Apology for the loss of subtitles for 2146 seconds
0:36:35 > 0:36:45their fight to prevent prisoners Good morning, I'm Katherine Nash
0:36:45 > 0:36:48
0:36:48 > 0:36:53with the Breakfast news from BBC Fund the programme today call on it
0:36:53 > 0:36:59was billed as Yorkshire's renaissance but why does this new
0:36:59 > 0:37:02image still look like this? We investigate claims that some of our
0:37:02 > 0:37:08industrial towns are missing out on millions of pounds' worth of
0:37:08 > 0:37:13European cash. And should human rights mean prisoners get the boat?
0:37:13 > 0:37:18Why many Tories are stepping up their fight to prevent ballot boxes
0:37:18 > 0:37:25behind bars. We have to find our way through this so as to minimise
0:37:25 > 0:37:32the likelihood is that that a local election could be determined by
0:37:32 > 0:37:37muggers and rapists. After a grim week on the jobs front,
0:37:37 > 0:37:41today we are asking whether Yorkshire is the big loser in the
0:37:41 > 0:37:46regeneration game. The Politics Show has been told that many of our
0:37:46 > 0:37:51most deprived towns and cities are missing out on millions in European
0:37:51 > 0:37:56funding because the Government is failing to match that money pound-
0:37:56 > 0:38:02for-pound. Len Tingle has the full story.
0:38:02 > 0:38:09A 2007, Rotherham. The raw politics shock reports on plans to transform
0:38:10 > 0:38:14this riverside eyesore. -- the Politics Shaw reports. It was meant
0:38:15 > 0:38:24to be Rotherham's renaissance. The money, including a big chunk from
0:38:25 > 0:38:25
0:38:25 > 0:38:28the EU was lined up and ready to go. Are all those years since that
0:38:28 > 0:38:33report, all you can see is that nothing has been done. That is not
0:38:33 > 0:38:37the fault of the developer which is rather than council. They were
0:38:37 > 0:38:42relying on to a large extent on European money. The frustrating
0:38:42 > 0:38:47thing is that earmarks European money is still there are sitting in
0:38:47 > 0:38:51a bank account somewhere. But the council cannot touch it. The
0:38:51 > 0:38:57European Regional Development Fund had agreed to cover a third of the
0:38:57 > 0:39:03cost. But the EU brands have to beat much power and by fund by
0:39:03 > 0:39:11taxpayers' money are they cannot be re-used. They won an award. It is a
0:39:11 > 0:39:14fantastic scheme. It provided access to the waterside. How much
0:39:14 > 0:39:19money was involved here? How did that split up between commercial
0:39:19 > 0:39:28money, public money and European money? We on the site as a council.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31That is our contribution. It was a �3 million scheme. It was European
0:39:31 > 0:39:36money and regional development money. Under a Labour Government
0:39:36 > 0:39:40that came from their regional development money. The coalition
0:39:40 > 0:39:46Government has stopped that funding. So the European money has to stay
0:39:46 > 0:39:50in the bank. Right the way across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire,
0:39:50 > 0:39:55there is a whole range of projects the European money has already been
0:39:55 > 0:39:59earmarked to pay for costs. In this office they have been trying to
0:39:59 > 0:40:03piece together if the full picture. They have come up with some
0:40:03 > 0:40:07staggering figures. For almost three decades, the industrial
0:40:07 > 0:40:12community alliance has lobbied for European aid for industrially
0:40:12 > 0:40:18blighted parts of England. It started off as a Communities
0:40:18 > 0:40:25Campaign. Its research officer has been checking up just how much
0:40:25 > 0:40:31European cash is in limbo. We have a situation in Yorkshire and
0:40:31 > 0:40:36Humberside where there is some �300 million sat and been waiting to be
0:40:36 > 0:40:42used which has not yet been committed. What will happen to that
0:40:42 > 0:40:47money if we cannot draw it down and we cannot use it? The money returns
0:40:47 > 0:40:53to Europe and sits with the commission. And then under the
0:40:53 > 0:40:58terms of the rebate agreement, the British Government and Treasury can
0:40:58 > 0:41:01claim two thirds of it back in due course. So there is no particular
0:41:01 > 0:41:06incentives from the Treasury's point of view to spend our money.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11In a statement, the politics -- the Government denied it stopped all
0:41:11 > 0:41:15match funding. Up the street from the Alliance's offices, it is
0:41:15 > 0:41:20allowing some European cash to contribute towards refurbishing the
0:41:20 > 0:41:24town hall. The Government is adamant that has a duty to ensure
0:41:24 > 0:41:28any taxpayers' cash is spent efficiently. Back in Rotherham, the
0:41:28 > 0:41:34town is not alone in assuming that the days when European money was a
0:41:34 > 0:41:39major force to improve the quality of life, are now drawing to a close.
0:41:39 > 0:41:46Card yesterday live in Manchester are David Davis, one of the most
0:41:46 > 0:41:51familiar figures in Conservative politics, former Home Secretary.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53And Emma Clark in one of the rising stars for the Conservatives in the
0:41:53 > 0:41:56European Parliament who represents the East Midlands region which
0:41:56 > 0:42:01covers Lincolnshire, North Derbyshire and North
0:42:01 > 0:42:05Nottinghamshire. David Davis, you are a former Europe Minister. Are
0:42:05 > 0:42:08you surprised that �300 million wives of matched funding remains
0:42:08 > 0:42:17untouched when so many parts of Yorkshire desperately need
0:42:17 > 0:42:24regeneration.? I cannot speak to the exact number.. Of course, it is
0:42:24 > 0:42:29not lost at if we use any of it before 2013. Maybe we should be
0:42:29 > 0:42:33bidding for that to deal worth my own particular problem in Brough.
0:42:33 > 0:42:41He dearly have a problem here in that a lot of the regional bodies
0:42:41 > 0:42:46have been scrapped? Do we have a lack of bodies to bed for that
0:42:46 > 0:42:50money at a regional level? We are at a transitional periods. They
0:42:50 > 0:42:54close in March next year. We have the local enterprise partnerships
0:42:54 > 0:43:03that are in place to make those applications. We have to make sure
0:43:03 > 0:43:06they are all progressing at the same time. The regional -- the
0:43:06 > 0:43:11local enterprise managers do not have any money. It is working with
0:43:11 > 0:43:15businesses and local authorities and councils to make real decisions
0:43:15 > 0:43:18closest to the economic areas third try to improve. They could be
0:43:18 > 0:43:22working with other people and businesses to bring extra money and
0:43:22 > 0:43:26funding. There is not a lot of funding around. Cynics would say
0:43:26 > 0:43:31there is no incentive for the Government to bed for this money.
0:43:31 > 0:43:36Any excess money goes back to the Treasury through their rebate,
0:43:36 > 0:43:42famously negotiated by Margaret Thatcher. It is a half point. They
0:43:42 > 0:43:46get it in a few years when we need the money. We are talking about the
0:43:46 > 0:43:50growth of the area, encouraging investment in Britain. I think the
0:43:50 > 0:43:54Treasury will have to my views on this and one of them will be on our
0:43:54 > 0:43:58side. How big is the talking point in Europe going to be in his
0:43:58 > 0:44:03conference? William Hague says we should all come down and start
0:44:03 > 0:44:09getting excited about Europe and the has ruled out the prospect of a
0:44:09 > 0:44:14EU referendum. It is a top -- it's a local issue at the moment. The
0:44:14 > 0:44:17public are talking about it and it is important. I am a member of the
0:44:17 > 0:44:20European Parliament, I think it is a bigger issue that we need to
0:44:20 > 0:44:24tackle sooner than later. I think we will be talking about Europe
0:44:24 > 0:44:29this week and we will find out what the Conservative Party thing.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33she will not talk yourself out of a job? I would be very happy to top
0:44:33 > 0:44:37myself out of a job actually. week has seen one of the biggest
0:44:38 > 0:44:43single job loss announcements in Yorkshire for many years. On
0:44:43 > 0:44:49Tuesday, it was announced that 900 workers at BAE Systems in broth in
0:44:49 > 0:44:55East Yorkshire would lose their jobs at the plant while production
0:44:55 > 0:45:01will be halted. It is famous for making the jet trainer aircraft
0:45:01 > 0:45:06made famous by the Red Arrows. Workers were at the Labour
0:45:06 > 0:45:11conference last week were then given a standing ovation. We are
0:45:12 > 0:45:14getting some breaking news. The Chancellor George Osborne has just
0:45:14 > 0:45:20announced that the rough and the sights and Lancashire affected by
0:45:20 > 0:45:23the job losses will be covered by Brian new enterprise zones.
0:45:23 > 0:45:30Livestock to David Davis the MP who covers the area. What is you're
0:45:30 > 0:45:34reaction? It is not a surprise. I am very pleased. We need to find
0:45:34 > 0:45:39very large numbers of extra jobs. We are talking about 900 skilled
0:45:39 > 0:45:44workers. These are not just any old workers. We are also in a tough
0:45:44 > 0:45:48area. Hull North has got one of the worst unemployment records at the
0:45:48 > 0:45:54moment in the country. It is really hard to get a job there. We have
0:45:54 > 0:46:00got to do something. The Enterprise Zone is a great idea. We know it
0:46:00 > 0:46:05works. It is the first step, I think, in helping those 900 workers
0:46:05 > 0:46:12to have a proper future. Will it make much difference? These are
0:46:12 > 0:46:19skilled jobs in the area, very difficult to replace these jobs.
0:46:19 > 0:46:23area is on every transport link you can ask for. It is virtually on the
0:46:23 > 0:46:28M62, it you have ocean access will stop you have even got an airstrip
0:46:29 > 0:46:33there. It is well-placed for up the development of modern, industrial
0:46:33 > 0:46:40business. I want to see the M60 to a corridor become like the M4
0:46:40 > 0:46:47corridor. This could be a step to that. Many of the workers are angry.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50Some of the union representatives are at a conference. They won the
0:46:51 > 0:46:56Government is seven and do more to try and save he's just. Is there
0:46:56 > 0:47:03anything the Government can do? starts more locally. I have been
0:47:03 > 0:47:07talking to the staff. I have top to the defence sales. I have a concern
0:47:07 > 0:47:13about the way the BAE Systems has been handling this. We supported
0:47:13 > 0:47:19BAE Systems when they sell aircraft. They are two jets in America at the
0:47:19 > 0:47:24moment going on a tour to promote it. What we are discovering is that
0:47:24 > 0:47:32the contract, the biggest contract, it is all going to be made in
0:47:32 > 0:47:37America. Not here. Not one aircraft. A quarter of that contract could
0:47:37 > 0:47:43take the plant here are going for one year. They are strong words I
0:47:43 > 0:47:48want to say to BAE Systems and also some Ministers. A change of subject
0:47:48 > 0:47:53now. The Home Secretary Theresa May has said that she wants to scrap
0:47:53 > 0:47:58the Human Rights Act. That is in direct contrast to the deputy Prime
0:47:58 > 0:48:02Minister Nick Clegg who said it was here to stay. Many Conservatives do
0:48:02 > 0:48:06not like the Human Rights Act, they do not like what it represents an
0:48:06 > 0:48:15they are angry over issues such as potentially granting vaults for
0:48:15 > 0:48:20prisoners. -- malts. This is a man who believes convicted criminals
0:48:20 > 0:48:28should have AC in our democratic process. John Hirst serve 25 years
0:48:28 > 0:48:33for a man's less -- Manchester for her murdering his one lady. He has
0:48:33 > 0:48:37been trying to persuade politicians to implement the European court
0:48:37 > 0:48:41ruling giving prisoners the vote. Something David Cameron said made
0:48:41 > 0:48:50him feel physically ill. On the one skill you have got the highest
0:48:50 > 0:48:54court enuretic -- in Europe saying that our human rights have been
0:48:54 > 0:49:00violated. Then you have a Prime Minister who claims the thought of
0:49:01 > 0:49:07prisoners having the vote makes him physically ill. I am sorry but on a
0:49:07 > 0:49:16Scot of justice, do you pits his weak stomach above people paused
0:49:16 > 0:49:21Mike human rights. Do you? -- a bulb people's human rights? They
0:49:21 > 0:49:27have until October this year to implement the ruling. I understand
0:49:27 > 0:49:31that has been delayed because of a similar case being fought by the
0:49:31 > 0:49:36Italian Government against a convicted murderer there. Many Tory
0:49:36 > 0:49:46MPs are hoping this matter could be kicked into the long grass once and
0:49:46 > 0:49:50for all. I find a repellent to see an election determined by inmates
0:49:50 > 0:49:55who have lost their liberty and they should also lose the right to
0:49:55 > 0:49:59vote. That is what my constituents feel and we have to find our way
0:50:00 > 0:50:03through this legal difficulties or as to minimise the likelihood that
0:50:03 > 0:50:10the local election could be determined by muggers and rapists
0:50:10 > 0:50:17and paedophiles. Earlier this year, MPs voted overwhelmingly to keep
0:50:17 > 0:50:19the ban on prisoners voting because most believed it would not be
0:50:20 > 0:50:26acceptable in the court of public opinion. No they should not be able
0:50:26 > 0:50:31to vote. They have done a big wrong. They have done something really bad.
0:50:31 > 0:50:37What right should they have to vote? They go to prison and you
0:50:37 > 0:50:44lose your liberty and you lose your rights temporarily while you are in
0:50:44 > 0:50:50prison and that includes the right to vote. They are humans like us.
0:50:50 > 0:51:00So they might have done terrible crimes but we have no -- we have a
0:51:00 > 0:51:00
0:51:00 > 0:51:05right to vote, why should they not? There have been differences between
0:51:05 > 0:51:13the two coalition parties over this issue? Let me say something very
0:51:13 > 0:51:20clear about the Human Rights Act. I will do it in words of one syllable.
0:51:20 > 0:51:25It is here to stay. A lot of my supporters are upset that we have
0:51:25 > 0:51:29not been able to replace the Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights.
0:51:29 > 0:51:35We do not have a majority, if we had, we would have taken action.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39For the Lib Dems, I have criticise them for a long time, there believe
0:51:39 > 0:51:44that muggers and paedophiles and rapists should have a human right
0:51:44 > 0:51:52to vote is something that is in built in many Lib Dems. It is
0:51:52 > 0:51:58something I Vion wrong. -- I find wrong. Lawyer's has said that
0:51:58 > 0:52:04ignoring the European verdict could cost European -- UK taxpayers
0:52:04 > 0:52:08millions of money -- millions of pounds from prisoners. This man
0:52:08 > 0:52:14says he will not be giving up the fight to get ballot boxes behind
0:52:14 > 0:52:17bars. It is a car crash waiting to happen. You have got David Cameron
0:52:17 > 0:52:25in the front driving. Nick Clegg is in the front passenger seat and you
0:52:25 > 0:52:30have got the likes of the David Davis and the rest of them all sat
0:52:30 > 0:52:33in the back seats trying to grab the steering wheel. It is on the
0:52:33 > 0:52:43edge of Dover cliff and is about to plunge down. It is a car crash
0:52:43 > 0:52:46waiting to happen. Well, all is an interesting talking point. David
0:52:46 > 0:52:51Davis, do you think we will see the European Court judgement
0:52:51 > 0:52:56implemented and prisoners getting the vote? No, I do not. I moved the
0:52:56 > 0:52:59motion in Parliament is away do not on this. It is one thing for the
0:52:59 > 0:53:06European Court to give instructions to a Government. It is another
0:53:06 > 0:53:13thing entirely to trying overall democracy. Millions of compensation
0:53:13 > 0:53:18potentially. I'm a legacy it happen. Ever Government has got the nerve,
0:53:18 > 0:53:23it will see it off. Dear think David Cameron will manage to
0:53:23 > 0:53:29replace the human rights are act with a Bill of Rights that --?
0:53:29 > 0:53:32think so. It is protecting the wrong people and the need to make
0:53:32 > 0:53:36sure we are protecting the victims and that we are able to make our
0:53:36 > 0:53:42own decisions here at Westminster with our own Parliament and they
0:53:42 > 0:53:47will of the people. The problem is the Human Rights Act is here to
0:53:47 > 0:53:51stay. You have got the Lib Dems who would block such change. The Lib
0:53:51 > 0:53:57Dems have got people on the commission. It is to protect people.
0:53:58 > 0:54:07This country is the home of Human Rights. What it is not is the home
0:54:08 > 0:54:14to give rights to a murderous to be given access home. We might when
0:54:14 > 0:54:21the Liberals on that. Do you think you can win the Lib Dems? When we
0:54:21 > 0:54:27talk about prisoners the right to vote, the public understand what's
0:54:27 > 0:54:35us a decisions we can make animal behind us. What you think they got
0:54:35 > 0:54:40up about this week? Will it be tit- for-tat? We are a bit too big for
0:54:40 > 0:54:43that. We will be talking about Europe. We will be talking about
0:54:43 > 0:54:51tax, the recovery of the economy. We will be talking about things
0:54:51 > 0:54:54that matter because if we do not succeed in this, in these major
0:54:55 > 0:54:58products, not only we will not get re-elected, the Lib Dems will not
0:54:58 > 0:55:04be there. We will like to see a Tory Government Mercedes and
0:55:04 > 0:55:09proposition. Dear detect more bitterness this year towards you
0:55:09 > 0:55:13Lib Dem coalition partners? There is no coalition in Europe where I
0:55:13 > 0:55:17am working. I can work outside of that agreement. I do not think we
0:55:17 > 0:55:22will be tearing each other apart. We are going to try and get this
0:55:22 > 0:55:28country are back on its feet. Tories and Lib Dems and Europe are
0:55:28 > 0:55:34poles apart. You are to the right, the Lib Dems are to the left. That
0:55:34 > 0:55:38was made for an awkward relationship? We it does. I think
0:55:38 > 0:55:43we need to have a new relationship for the European Union. It is
0:55:43 > 0:55:49different to the ones here. William Hague says there will not be a
0:55:49 > 0:55:54referendum. We will see about that. Fighting talk here. We should end
0:55:54 > 0:56:03on spirited European harmony. Are we going to stuff the French next
0:56:03 > 0:56:09week? I do believe we will do. David Davis, you are then all
0:56:09 > 0:56:14stranger to throwing the odd ball back -- all about. My nose was then
0:56:14 > 0:56:19broken ones to many. I am feeling confident this morning. I hope we
0:56:19 > 0:56:24will have a good weekend it discussions. It will be upbeat. We