Sweet success
C hronicle OLDHAM EVENING
No 38,362
www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Sweet success
Get Oldham Working
PRICE 65p
See Pages 8-9
JOB CENTRE SUPPORT CAMPAIGN SPONSORED BY
Back of the NVQ
SPORT
Wembley dream fades with light OLDHAM RL FLASHBACK PAGES 32-33
969 qualified construction students face retest would need to do the two courses all over again. Brian, who spent nearly £2,500 on the two qualifications, said: “It’s the inconvenience. It was only through me mithering and being a pain that I got the assessor to come out to me.
by IRAM RAMZAN NEARLY 1,000 students on construction courses at Oldham College have had their certificates revoked following an investigation. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) — the national training organisation for construction in the management and then a Level 7 UK — have had to recall cer- NVQ in senior site management tificates from 969 students in February, 2013. following a probe. He started work for Halton Joiner Brian Lee (42) is one of the many people who has been told he needs to be reassessed on a course he finished over a year ago. Brian completed a Level 6 NVQ diploma in construction site
Housing, based in Widnes, Cheshire, as a site manager in October, last year. He was then surprised to receive a letter in the post informing him that his certificate had been revoked and he
Busy “It’s affected me massively with my working day and the distress that has come with it. “I’ve got a busy working day, looking after a high-profile site and I’m taking time out of that day to have an assessor sit with me — it’s just not productive. “It’s embarrassing when my senior management are asking what I’m doing.” Under the reassessment, Brian, who has been doing site manage-
ment for the last eight years, needs to sit with an assessor for four hours each week, as well as studying further in his own time. A spokesman for Oldham College said they were aware of the situation. They added: “This does not affect their ability to practice and CSkills has a clear plan to remedy the situation.” A CITB spokesman confirmed they have had to recall the certificates from those who studied construction courses — and all those affected were from Oldham College. He said: “The portfolios of evidence through which the affected learners achieved their qualifications were found to be incom-
● Continued on Page 2
Back for Moor SADDLEWORTH LEAGUE PREVIEW: PART 2 — PAGE 31
Kusunga KO for Johnson BACK PAGE
2 —— OLDHAM EVENING CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Appetite for food handouts doubles by LUCY KENDERDINE
FOODBANK users in Oldham have more than doubled in the past financial year. A total of 5,598 struggling Oldhamers, including 1,615 children, accessed the service providing three days’ emergency rations in 2013/2014, up from 2,322 in 2012/2013. More are being referred to the Trussell Trust Foodbank than at any time in its history citing problems with static incomes, rising living costs, underemployment and benefits delays. Andrew Barr, Oldham Foodbank manager, said: “We have seen a massive increase, which shouldn’t be happening in the seventh-richest country in the world.
● From Page 1
Priority
MASSIVE increase . . . Oldham Foodbank manager Andrew Barr also supplies essentials like washing powder, nappies and hygiene products to families in need. Oldham’s statistics reflect the national picture with more than 900,000 residents receiving emergency food from one of 400 Trussell Trust foodbanks in the UK, compared with 346,992 in 2012-13. Over 50 per cent of referrals to food-
bank figures are just the tip of the iceberg of UK food poverty, it doesn’t include those helped by other emergency food providers, those living in towns where there is no foodbank, people who are too ashamed to seek help or the large number of people who are only just coping by eating less and buying cheap food. “That’s why urgent action needs to be taken to stop UK hunger.” Oldham foodbank now has an additional distribution centre which operwork but on low salaries. ates from South “I’ve already called on Chadderton Methodist Iain Duncan Smith Church on Mondays and and Esther McVey next month a distribution to hold an inde- centre will open at the pendent inquiry Salvation Army premises to look specifi- in Shaw manned by voluncally into the teers from Shaw Churches ‘appropriateness Together. of sanctions’ and, ● TO be eligible for food, although Ms individuals are referred to the McVey agreed to foodbank by a range of do this, she was organisations and profesoverruled by the sionals including the Job Government.” Centre, GPs and the council.
banks in 2013-14 were a result of benefit delays or changes, according to the Christian charity. Trussell Trust chairman Chris Mould added: “It is shocking that we’re seeing rising numbers of people needing to turn to foodbanks in 21st-century Britain. “But perhaps most worrying of all is that Trussell Trust food-
MP calls for benefits sanctions inquiry OLDHAM East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has said statistics contained in the Trussell Trust report provide further evidence the use of benefit sanctions needs to be examined by the Government. Mrs Abrahams (pictured), a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, has been demanding the Government set up an independent inquiry into the “appropriateness of sanctions”.
Students tested again plete. We are working with those affected and are putting arrangements in place for them to re-sit the relevant qualification. “CSkills Awards have worked with Construction Skills Certification Scheme to ensure that CSCS cards are retained for a period of 12 months to enable the learners to be reassessed. Cskills Awards will cover the costs for reassessment. “We are committed to ensuring the construction industry has a safe and qualified workforce and are sorry for any inconvenience the recall may cause.”
Afford “But the reality is that life is very difficult for people on low incomes at the moment, and increasing numbers are struggling to make ends meet and are hitting a crisis where they cannot afford food. “We don’t think anyone should have to go hungry, which is why we’re so grateful for the incredible generosity of local residents who donate their food to us. In the past year, locals have donated 56.9 tonnes of food to Oldham Foodbank, based on Clegg Street in the town centre, and over 50 volunteered to help. Local schools, businesses and faith groups also provided vital support to the foodbank, which
PREDICAMENT . . . Brian Lee
She said: “When I organised a recent collection for our foodbank, the manager, Andrew Barr, told me that 65 per cent of the people coming to them for support were there because they were being affected by problems with their social security. “The Trussell Trust report is providing yet more evidence that the Government’s tactics are to skew the unemployment
data by targeting tens of thousands of vulnerable people despite the misery and hardship this policy is causing. “It’s also worth noting that many of the people caught up in the Government’s disgraceful, ideologically-driven policy to smear anyone on social security as a ‘scrounger’ are actually in
Brian’s predicament, he said, is that he may not be able to complete the courses if he moves on to another site and has subsequently enquired about compensation. Oldham College added that at this moment in time, their priority is not compensation but assisting those whose certificates have been revoked. ● Have you been affected? If so, call the newsdesk on 0161-633 2121 or email news@oldham-chronicle .co.uk.
Letters to the editor: Page 10
WEATHER FORECAST 38 Oldham Road · Royton · Oldham OL2 5PE Tel: 0161 633 2422 Carpets from Europe and UK leading manufacturers at unbelievable prices
NO CRAZY DISCOUNTS – WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU PAY!
FANTASTIC OPENING OFFERS
Max temperature: 15C (59F) at 3pm Min temperature: 1C (39F) at 6am Max barometer: 1029mb at 1am Min barometer: 1023mb at 9pm Max wind: 11mph (18kmh) SW at 3pm Rainfall: nil
TODAY AT 8am Temperature: 8C (46F) Barometer: 1017mb, falling Wind: 14mph (22khm) SW
LIGHTING-UP TIMES GENUINE FACTORY CLEARANCE LINES
Tonight: Dry, with any evening cloud dispersing to leave clear skies overnight. Turning rather cold, while winds fall light. Min temp 1-4C (34-39F).
OLDHAM READINGS (Yesterday)
8.13pm to 6.03am
12 10
12
13
10
Tomorrow: A fine spring day, as it will be dry with plenty of sunshine and just a few patches of cloud. Light north-easterly winds. Max temp 11-14C (52-57F). WORLD YESTERDAY
Amsterdam .. 12.. 54...s Athens ......... 19.. 66...f Barcelona .... 19.. 66...s Cape Town... 23.. 73...s Los Angeles. 17.. 63...f Miami ........... 30.. 86...c New York...... 14.. 57...r
Paris ............ 13.. 55...s Rome ........... 16.. 61...s Sydney......... 20.. 68...f Venice.......... 16.. 61...s KEY: c=cloudy; dr=drizzle; f=fair; fg=fog; h=hail; m=mist; r=rain; s=sunny; sh=showers; sl=sleet; sn=snow; th=thunder.
No 38,362
www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Sweet success
Get Oldham Working
PRICE 65p
See Pages 8-9
JOB CENTRE SUPPORT CAMPAIGN SPONSORED BY
Back of the NVQ
SPORT
Wembley dream fades with light OLDHAM RL FLASHBACK PAGES 32-33
969 qualified construction students face retest would need to do the two courses all over again. Brian, who spent nearly £2,500 on the two qualifications, said: “It’s the inconvenience. It was only through me mithering and being a pain that I got the assessor to come out to me.
by IRAM RAMZAN NEARLY 1,000 students on construction courses at Oldham College have had their certificates revoked following an investigation. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) — the national training organisation for construction in the management and then a Level 7 UK — have had to recall cer- NVQ in senior site management tificates from 969 students in February, 2013. following a probe. He started work for Halton Joiner Brian Lee (42) is one of the many people who has been told he needs to be reassessed on a course he finished over a year ago. Brian completed a Level 6 NVQ diploma in construction site
Housing, based in Widnes, Cheshire, as a site manager in October, last year. He was then surprised to receive a letter in the post informing him that his certificate had been revoked and he
Busy “It’s affected me massively with my working day and the distress that has come with it. “I’ve got a busy working day, looking after a high-profile site and I’m taking time out of that day to have an assessor sit with me — it’s just not productive. “It’s embarrassing when my senior management are asking what I’m doing.” Under the reassessment, Brian, who has been doing site manage-
ment for the last eight years, needs to sit with an assessor for four hours each week, as well as studying further in his own time. A spokesman for Oldham College said they were aware of the situation. They added: “This does not affect their ability to practice and CSkills has a clear plan to remedy the situation.” A CITB spokesman confirmed they have had to recall the certificates from those who studied construction courses — and all those affected were from Oldham College. He said: “The portfolios of evidence through which the affected learners achieved their qualifications were found to be incom-
● Continued on Page 2
Back for Moor SADDLEWORTH LEAGUE PREVIEW: PART 2 — PAGE 31
Kusunga KO for Johnson BACK PAGE
2 —— OLDHAM EVENING CHRONICLE, THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Appetite for food handouts doubles by LUCY KENDERDINE
FOODBANK users in Oldham have more than doubled in the past financial year. A total of 5,598 struggling Oldhamers, including 1,615 children, accessed the service providing three days’ emergency rations in 2013/2014, up from 2,322 in 2012/2013. More are being referred to the Trussell Trust Foodbank than at any time in its history citing problems with static incomes, rising living costs, underemployment and benefits delays. Andrew Barr, Oldham Foodbank manager, said: “We have seen a massive increase, which shouldn’t be happening in the seventh-richest country in the world.
● From Page 1
Priority
MASSIVE increase . . . Oldham Foodbank manager Andrew Barr also supplies essentials like washing powder, nappies and hygiene products to families in need. Oldham’s statistics reflect the national picture with more than 900,000 residents receiving emergency food from one of 400 Trussell Trust foodbanks in the UK, compared with 346,992 in 2012-13. Over 50 per cent of referrals to food-
bank figures are just the tip of the iceberg of UK food poverty, it doesn’t include those helped by other emergency food providers, those living in towns where there is no foodbank, people who are too ashamed to seek help or the large number of people who are only just coping by eating less and buying cheap food. “That’s why urgent action needs to be taken to stop UK hunger.” Oldham foodbank now has an additional distribution centre which operwork but on low salaries. ates from South “I’ve already called on Chadderton Methodist Iain Duncan Smith Church on Mondays and and Esther McVey next month a distribution to hold an inde- centre will open at the pendent inquiry Salvation Army premises to look specifi- in Shaw manned by voluncally into the teers from Shaw Churches ‘appropriateness Together. of sanctions’ and, ● TO be eligible for food, although Ms individuals are referred to the McVey agreed to foodbank by a range of do this, she was organisations and profesoverruled by the sionals including the Job Government.” Centre, GPs and the council.
banks in 2013-14 were a result of benefit delays or changes, according to the Christian charity. Trussell Trust chairman Chris Mould added: “It is shocking that we’re seeing rising numbers of people needing to turn to foodbanks in 21st-century Britain. “But perhaps most worrying of all is that Trussell Trust food-
MP calls for benefits sanctions inquiry OLDHAM East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has said statistics contained in the Trussell Trust report provide further evidence the use of benefit sanctions needs to be examined by the Government. Mrs Abrahams (pictured), a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, has been demanding the Government set up an independent inquiry into the “appropriateness of sanctions”.
Students tested again plete. We are working with those affected and are putting arrangements in place for them to re-sit the relevant qualification. “CSkills Awards have worked with Construction Skills Certification Scheme to ensure that CSCS cards are retained for a period of 12 months to enable the learners to be reassessed. Cskills Awards will cover the costs for reassessment. “We are committed to ensuring the construction industry has a safe and qualified workforce and are sorry for any inconvenience the recall may cause.”
Afford “But the reality is that life is very difficult for people on low incomes at the moment, and increasing numbers are struggling to make ends meet and are hitting a crisis where they cannot afford food. “We don’t think anyone should have to go hungry, which is why we’re so grateful for the incredible generosity of local residents who donate their food to us. In the past year, locals have donated 56.9 tonnes of food to Oldham Foodbank, based on Clegg Street in the town centre, and over 50 volunteered to help. Local schools, businesses and faith groups also provided vital support to the foodbank, which
PREDICAMENT . . . Brian Lee
She said: “When I organised a recent collection for our foodbank, the manager, Andrew Barr, told me that 65 per cent of the people coming to them for support were there because they were being affected by problems with their social security. “The Trussell Trust report is providing yet more evidence that the Government’s tactics are to skew the unemployment
data by targeting tens of thousands of vulnerable people despite the misery and hardship this policy is causing. “It’s also worth noting that many of the people caught up in the Government’s disgraceful, ideologically-driven policy to smear anyone on social security as a ‘scrounger’ are actually in
Brian’s predicament, he said, is that he may not be able to complete the courses if he moves on to another site and has subsequently enquired about compensation. Oldham College added that at this moment in time, their priority is not compensation but assisting those whose certificates have been revoked. ● Have you been affected? If so, call the newsdesk on 0161-633 2121 or email news@oldham-chronicle .co.uk.
Letters to the editor: Page 10
WEATHER FORECAST 38 Oldham Road · Royton · Oldham OL2 5PE Tel: 0161 633 2422 Carpets from Europe and UK leading manufacturers at unbelievable prices
NO CRAZY DISCOUNTS – WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU PAY!
FANTASTIC OPENING OFFERS
Max temperature: 15C (59F) at 3pm Min temperature: 1C (39F) at 6am Max barometer: 1029mb at 1am Min barometer: 1023mb at 9pm Max wind: 11mph (18kmh) SW at 3pm Rainfall: nil
TODAY AT 8am Temperature: 8C (46F) Barometer: 1017mb, falling Wind: 14mph (22khm) SW
LIGHTING-UP TIMES GENUINE FACTORY CLEARANCE LINES
Tonight: Dry, with any evening cloud dispersing to leave clear skies overnight. Turning rather cold, while winds fall light. Min temp 1-4C (34-39F).
OLDHAM READINGS (Yesterday)
8.13pm to 6.03am
12 10
12
13
10
Tomorrow: A fine spring day, as it will be dry with plenty of sunshine and just a few patches of cloud. Light north-easterly winds. Max temp 11-14C (52-57F). WORLD YESTERDAY
Amsterdam .. 12.. 54...s Athens ......... 19.. 66...f Barcelona .... 19.. 66...s Cape Town... 23.. 73...s Los Angeles. 17.. 63...f Miami ........... 30.. 86...c New York...... 14.. 57...r
Paris ............ 13.. 55...s Rome ........... 16.. 61...s Sydney......... 20.. 68...f Venice.......... 16.. 61...s KEY: c=cloudy; dr=drizzle; f=fair; fg=fog; h=hail; m=mist; r=rain; s=sunny; sh=showers; sl=sleet; sn=snow; th=thunder.
