News that RBS is still stuffing money in to the top pocket of Chief Executive Stephen Hester has angered people across Manchester today.

Tony said, ‘I am still meeting many small businesses in Manchester who can’t get loans at reasonable rates from RBS. David Cameron’s failure to deal with this is in stark contrast to his words and does once again bring forward calls for legal controls on top pay. People in Manchester will be dismayed that at a time when the economy is struggling bankers still have their snouts in the trough.’

Disabled people in the North West, along with their families and friends, took to the streets in Manchester to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services on 22 October 2011. Their message to the government was clear: stop these cuts.

Following the event Tony Lloyd said, ‘A huge number of angry people turned up to protest against these benefits cuts. We should protect those who are vulnerable which is why these cuts are particularly cruel.’

MP’s met with social workers at the Houses of Parliament to hear some very difficult accounts of how many social workers are being forced out of their jobs at a time when family breakdown, mental illness and distress, and abuse of children and adults is more likely to occur with the pressures of Benefit cuts and rising prices.

Ruth Cartwright, England Manager at BASW (The British Association of Social Workers) said: “We are delighted to have the backing of Tony Lloyd MP as we continue to oppose cuts which directly affect vulnerable people and social work posts. Last year 94% of BASW members warned the government that upcoming cuts would have an adverse effect on vulnerable children, they didn’t listen and we now know this to be true. It is time for the government to start listening and taking responsibility for what these cuts will do to vulnerable people.”

To view/ sign the peition please click here.

Yesterday’s budget proved that Tory cuts are damaging the economic recovery. Growth was down last year, is down this year and will be down next year. Unemployment is rising meaning the welfare bill is growing and borrowing is up.

Tony said, ‘This budget has failed hardworking families who are £450 worse off a year because of the January VAT rise. It has failed the almost 1 million young people looking for work. Labour would have taxed the bankers bonuses to pay for 90,000 new 6 month jobs for 18-24 year olds. Instead the Tories will send 40,000 on a two month course to build their CV that the DWP has said will benefit ‘a very small proportion of young claimants aged 18-21′. It has failed to address the rising cost of fuel which is having a real impact on ordinary people and on business. People across Manchester are struggling because of the cuts the Government has rushed through but now we know that they are suffering for nothing with both the deficit and unemployment growing.’

The Christie hospital has today confirmed that 213 jobs will be lost in the next four years. 60 posts will go completely and another 150 jobs will be outsourced to a private American contractor which will run a new private centre at the hospital.

Tony Lloyd said, ‘Christie’s is a leader in the battle against cancer. It is extremely worrying that this high-profile hospital has been targeted. These cuts show that no area of our NHS is safe despite promises made by David Cameron before the election. The privatisation of the NHS is under way less than a year in to the coalition Government.

‘I am inviting local Lib Dems who have in the past been outspoken in their defence of Christie’s, to join me in opposing these changes to the NHS which create a two tier system and make some lives worth more than others.’