02/10/2011 The Politics Show Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

On the Politics Show in the North: We investigate claims that some of

our industrial towns are missing out on millions of pounds worth of

European cash. And why many Tories are stepping up

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 2146 seconds

their fight to prevent prisoners Good morning, I'm Katherine Nash

with the Breakfast news from BBC Fund the programme today call on it

was billed as Yorkshire's renaissance but why does this new

image still look like this? We investigate claims that some of our

industrial towns are missing out on millions of pounds' worth of

European cash. And should human rights mean prisoners get the boat?

Why many Tories are stepping up their fight to prevent ballot boxes

behind bars. We have to find our way through this so as to minimise

the likelihood is that that a local election could be determined by

muggers and rapists. After a grim week on the jobs front,

today we are asking whether Yorkshire is the big loser in the

regeneration game. The Politics Show has been told that many of our

most deprived towns and cities are missing out on millions in European

funding because the Government is failing to match that money pound-

for-pound. Len Tingle has the full story.

A 2007, Rotherham. The raw politics shock reports on plans to transform

this riverside eyesore. -- the Politics Shaw reports. It was meant

to be Rotherham's renaissance. The money, including a big chunk from

the EU was lined up and ready to go. Are all those years since that

report, all you can see is that nothing has been done. That is not

the fault of the developer which is rather than council. They were

relying on to a large extent on European money. The frustrating

thing is that earmarks European money is still there are sitting in

a bank account somewhere. But the council cannot touch it. The

European Regional Development Fund had agreed to cover a third of the

cost. But the EU brands have to beat much power and by fund by

taxpayers' money are they cannot be re-used. They won an award. It is a

fantastic scheme. It provided access to the waterside. How much

money was involved here? How did that split up between commercial

money, public money and European money? We on the site as a council.

That is our contribution. It was a �3 million scheme. It was European

money and regional development money. Under a Labour Government

that came from their regional development money. The coalition

Government has stopped that funding. So the European money has to stay

in the bank. Right the way across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire,

there is a whole range of projects the European money has already been

earmarked to pay for costs. In this office they have been trying to

piece together if the full picture. They have come up with some

staggering figures. For almost three decades, the industrial

community alliance has lobbied for European aid for industrially

blighted parts of England. It started off as a Communities

Campaign. Its research officer has been checking up just how much

European cash is in limbo. We have a situation in Yorkshire and

Humberside where there is some �300 million sat and been waiting to be

used which has not yet been committed. What will happen to that

money if we cannot draw it down and we cannot use it? The money returns

to Europe and sits with the commission. And then under the

terms of the rebate agreement, the British Government and Treasury can

claim two thirds of it back in due course. So there is no particular

incentives from the Treasury's point of view to spend our money.

In a statement, the politics -- the Government denied it stopped all

match funding. Up the street from the Alliance's offices, it is

allowing some European cash to contribute towards refurbishing the

town hall. The Government is adamant that has a duty to ensure

any taxpayers' cash is spent efficiently. Back in Rotherham, the

town is not alone in assuming that the days when European money was a

major force to improve the quality of life, are now drawing to a close.

Card yesterday live in Manchester are David Davis, one of the most

familiar figures in Conservative politics, former Home Secretary.

And Emma Clark in one of the rising stars for the Conservatives in the

European Parliament who represents the East Midlands region which

covers Lincolnshire, North Derbyshire and North

Nottinghamshire. David Davis, you are a former Europe Minister. Are

you surprised that �300 million wives of matched funding remains

untouched when so many parts of Yorkshire desperately need

regeneration.? I cannot speak to the exact number.. Of course, it is

not lost at if we use any of it before 2013. Maybe we should be

bidding for that to deal worth my own particular problem in Brough.

He dearly have a problem here in that a lot of the regional bodies

have been scrapped? Do we have a lack of bodies to bed for that

money at a regional level? We are at a transitional periods. They

close in March next year. We have the local enterprise partnerships

that are in place to make those applications. We have to make sure

they are all progressing at the same time. The regional -- the

local enterprise managers do not have any money. It is working with

businesses and local authorities and councils to make real decisions

closest to the economic areas third try to improve. They could be

working with other people and businesses to bring extra money and

funding. There is not a lot of funding around. Cynics would say

there is no incentive for the Government to bed for this money.

Any excess money goes back to the Treasury through their rebate,

famously negotiated by Margaret Thatcher. It is a half point. They

get it in a few years when we need the money. We are talking about the

growth of the area, encouraging investment in Britain. I think the

Treasury will have to my views on this and one of them will be on our

side. How big is the talking point in Europe going to be in his

conference? William Hague says we should all come down and start

getting excited about Europe and the has ruled out the prospect of a

EU referendum. It is a top -- it's a local issue at the moment. The

public are talking about it and it is important. I am a member of the

European Parliament, I think it is a bigger issue that we need to

tackle sooner than later. I think we will be talking about Europe

this week and we will find out what the Conservative Party thing.

she will not talk yourself out of a job? I would be very happy to top

myself out of a job actually. week has seen one of the biggest

single job loss announcements in Yorkshire for many years. On

Tuesday, it was announced that 900 workers at BAE Systems in broth in

East Yorkshire would lose their jobs at the plant while production

will be halted. It is famous for making the jet trainer aircraft

made famous by the Red Arrows. Workers were at the Labour

conference last week were then given a standing ovation. We are

getting some breaking news. The Chancellor George Osborne has just

announced that the rough and the sights and Lancashire affected by

the job losses will be covered by Brian new enterprise zones.

Livestock to David Davis the MP who covers the area. What is you're

reaction? It is not a surprise. I am very pleased. We need to find

very large numbers of extra jobs. We are talking about 900 skilled

workers. These are not just any old workers. We are also in a tough

area. Hull North has got one of the worst unemployment records at the

moment in the country. It is really hard to get a job there. We have

got to do something. The Enterprise Zone is a great idea. We know it

works. It is the first step, I think, in helping those 900 workers

to have a proper future. Will it make much difference? These are

skilled jobs in the area, very difficult to replace these jobs.

area is on every transport link you can ask for. It is virtually on the

M62, it you have ocean access will stop you have even got an airstrip

there. It is well-placed for up the development of modern, industrial

business. I want to see the M60 to a corridor become like the M4

corridor. This could be a step to that. Many of the workers are angry.

Some of the union representatives are at a conference. They won the

Government is seven and do more to try and save he's just. Is there

anything the Government can do? starts more locally. I have been

talking to the staff. I have top to the defence sales. I have a concern

about the way the BAE Systems has been handling this. We supported

BAE Systems when they sell aircraft. They are two jets in America at the

moment going on a tour to promote it. What we are discovering is that

the contract, the biggest contract, it is all going to be made in

America. Not here. Not one aircraft. A quarter of that contract could

take the plant here are going for one year. They are strong words I

want to say to BAE Systems and also some Ministers. A change of subject

now. The Home Secretary Theresa May has said that she wants to scrap

the Human Rights Act. That is in direct contrast to the deputy Prime

Minister Nick Clegg who said it was here to stay. Many Conservatives do

not like the Human Rights Act, they do not like what it represents an

they are angry over issues such as potentially granting vaults for

prisoners. -- malts. This is a man who believes convicted criminals

should have AC in our democratic process. John Hirst serve 25 years

for a man's less -- Manchester for her murdering his one lady. He has

been trying to persuade politicians to implement the European court

ruling giving prisoners the vote. Something David Cameron said made

him feel physically ill. On the one skill you have got the highest

court enuretic -- in Europe saying that our human rights have been

violated. Then you have a Prime Minister who claims the thought of

prisoners having the vote makes him physically ill. I am sorry but on a

Scot of justice, do you pits his weak stomach above people paused

Mike human rights. Do you? -- a bulb people's human rights? They

have until October this year to implement the ruling. I understand

that has been delayed because of a similar case being fought by the

Italian Government against a convicted murderer there. Many Tory

MPs are hoping this matter could be kicked into the long grass once and

for all. I find a repellent to see an election determined by inmates

who have lost their liberty and they should also lose the right to

vote. That is what my constituents feel and we have to find our way

through this legal difficulties or as to minimise the likelihood that

the local election could be determined by muggers and rapists

and paedophiles. Earlier this year, MPs voted overwhelmingly to keep

the ban on prisoners voting because most believed it would not be

acceptable in the court of public opinion. No they should not be able

to vote. They have done a big wrong. They have done something really bad.

What right should they have to vote? They go to prison and you

lose your liberty and you lose your rights temporarily while you are in

prison and that includes the right to vote. They are humans like us.

So they might have done terrible crimes but we have no -- we have a

right to vote, why should they not? There have been differences between

the two coalition parties over this issue? Let me say something very

clear about the Human Rights Act. I will do it in words of one syllable.

It is here to stay. A lot of my supporters are upset that we have

not been able to replace the Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights.

We do not have a majority, if we had, we would have taken action.

For the Lib Dems, I have criticise them for a long time, there believe

that muggers and paedophiles and rapists should have a human right

to vote is something that is in built in many Lib Dems. It is

something I Vion wrong. -- I find wrong. Lawyer's has said that

ignoring the European verdict could cost European -- UK taxpayers

millions of money -- millions of pounds from prisoners. This man

says he will not be giving up the fight to get ballot boxes behind

bars. It is a car crash waiting to happen. You have got David Cameron

in the front driving. Nick Clegg is in the front passenger seat and you

have got the likes of the David Davis and the rest of them all sat

in the back seats trying to grab the steering wheel. It is on the

edge of Dover cliff and is about to plunge down. It is a car crash

waiting to happen. Well, all is an interesting talking point. David

Davis, do you think we will see the European Court judgement

implemented and prisoners getting the vote? No, I do not. I moved the

motion in Parliament is away do not on this. It is one thing for the

European Court to give instructions to a Government. It is another

thing entirely to trying overall democracy. Millions of compensation

potentially. I'm a legacy it happen. Ever Government has got the nerve,

it will see it off. Dear think David Cameron will manage to

replace the human rights are act with a Bill of Rights that --?

think so. It is protecting the wrong people and the need to make

sure we are protecting the victims and that we are able to make our

own decisions here at Westminster with our own Parliament and they

will of the people. The problem is the Human Rights Act is here to

stay. You have got the Lib Dems who would block such change. The Lib

Dems have got people on the commission. It is to protect people.

This country is the home of Human Rights. What it is not is the home

to give rights to a murderous to be given access home. We might when

the Liberals on that. Do you think you can win the Lib Dems? When we

talk about prisoners the right to vote, the public understand what's

us a decisions we can make animal behind us. What you think they got

up about this week? Will it be tit- for-tat? We are a bit too big for

that. We will be talking about Europe. We will be talking about

tax, the recovery of the economy. We will be talking about things

that matter because if we do not succeed in this, in these major

products, not only we will not get re-elected, the Lib Dems will not

be there. We will like to see a Tory Government Mercedes and

proposition. Dear detect more bitterness this year towards you

Lib Dem coalition partners? There is no coalition in Europe where I

am working. I can work outside of that agreement. I do not think we

will be tearing each other apart. We are going to try and get this

country are back on its feet. Tories and Lib Dems and Europe are

poles apart. You are to the right, the Lib Dems are to the left. That

was made for an awkward relationship? We it does. I think

we need to have a new relationship for the European Union. It is

different to the ones here. William Hague says there will not be a

referendum. We will see about that. Fighting talk here. We should end

on spirited European harmony. Are we going to stuff the French next

week? I do believe we will do. David Davis, you are then all

stranger to throwing the odd ball back -- all about. My nose was then

broken ones to many. I am feeling confident this morning. I hope we

will have a good weekend it discussions. It will be upbeat. We