Category: Politics

Crime, News, Politics

Contaminated blood inquiry: “People should go to jail” says Wythenshawe victim

16701439376_6112956332_qA public inquiry into contaminated blood leading to the deaths of thousands of people has been welcomed by a Wythenshawe victim who has called for perpetrators to be jailed over the scandal.

A recent parliamentary report found that  about 7,500 patients, who had been given blood transfusions were infected by imported blood products contaminated with plasma from donors including prison inmates in the US, who sold their blood.

More than 2,400 people have died from Hepatitis and HIV caused by the blood contamination.

As previously reported by the Wythenshawe Reporter, two of the victims are Fred Bates and Peter Mossman, both from Wythenshawe.

And  the government has announced a public inquiry will be launched to get to the bottom of the cause of the scandal more than 30 years ago, described as the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS. Continue reading “Contaminated blood inquiry: “People should go to jail” says Wythenshawe victim” →

Community News, News, Politics

Housing group will consider installing sprinklers to ensure tower block safety
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“All options” will be considered

Wythenshawe Community Housing Group says it will consider fitting sprinkler systems to its tower blocks if that is what is required to maintain the safety of residents.

The Group, which runs social housing in Wythenshawe, has been reviewing fire safety in its tower blocks in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in the North Kensington, London in which at least 79 people have died.

Cladding is already being removed from the Group’s Village 135 complex for elderly people in Wythenshawe and The Reporter put a number of questions to the landlord about other aspects of fire safety, raised by residents. Continue reading “Housing group will consider installing sprinklers to ensure tower block safety” →

Community News, News, Politics

Wythenshawe MP praises landlord and fire service for removing tower block cladding

wp-1478947269179.jpegWythenshawe MP Mike Kane has praised Wythenshawe Community Housing Group and the fire service after cladding was removed from a tower block in the wake of the Grenfell fire.

Mr Kane said earlier this week he understood that none of Wythenshawe’s tower blocks were fitted with cladding which has been associated with the rapid spread of the London fire in which at least 79 people killed or are missing presumed dead.

But after a review by landlord, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service, cladding was removed from one of the blocks.

In a statement, Mr Kane said: “We are all shocked by the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower. Our thoughts are with those who are affected by the fire, and we are grateful to the emergency services who responded so rapidly and bravely. It is vital that we get to the bottom of how this fire happened, hold those responsible to account, and do what is needed to make sure it does not happen again.

“Wythenshawe Community Housing Group responded quickly following the fire and have been working with Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service to ensure the safety of their tenants. They have inspected all blocks and where cladding was present this has been sent off for testing. This processes has identified an issue with some of the panelling on Village 135 and immediate steps are being taken to remove the panelling.  However the view of the Fire & Rescue Service is that Village 135 is a safe building.

“I am grateful to WCHG and GMFRS for their swift response and the steps they are taking to ensure that residents are safe and have the necessary reassurances about fire safety in their their homes.”

Community News, News, Politics

Cladding removed from Wythenshawe tower block following review by landlord

Wythenshawe Community Housing which runs social housing in the town says it is removing cladding from a tower block in the wake of the Grenfell fire tragedy in London.

The social landlord said in a statement today it is working with the Greater Manchester Fire service on a comprehensive review of tower blocks in Wythenshawe.

They’ve confirmed they began removing 78 panels today from part of their Village 135 scheme.

The statement following comments earlier this week from Wythenshawe MP Mike Kane that note of the tower blocks in the town have cladding association with the rapid spread of the fire at Grenfell.

WCHG Chief Executive Nigel Wilson said: “I want to reassure all our residents we take their safety very seriously. We immediately commissioned an extensive review of all our 10 tower blocks following this tragedy, which has flagged up a small area of failed panels on one scheme. We have taken immediate action and are in the process of having these panels removed and are working closely with the Local Authority and Greater Manchester Fire Brigade”.

Chair of the Board, The Bishop of Manchester, The Right Revd David Walker said: “WCHG have reacted without delay commissioning this review, following this terrible tragedy, the safety of our residents is our first priority and immediate action is now being taken to resolve this”.

Greater Manchester Fire Service said: “Following Village 135’s test results, we have conducted a fire risk audit, which has concluded that this building is safe for all its residents. We are happy with WCHG’s active and passive fire systems.”

Community News, News, Politics

Wythenshawe tower blocks “do not have Grenfell-style cladding” says MP

DSC_0131MP Mike Kane has assured residents living in tower blocks in Wythenshawe that none are fitted with the controversial cladding linked to Grenfell Tower tragedy in London last week.

The rapid spread of the fire in which at least 79 people are dead or missing presumed dead, is still being investigated but has been attributed to the use of a type of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding which is banned in Europe and, according to Chancellor, Phillip Hammond, is also banned in the UK.

Councils and housing associations across the country have been ordered to urgently check whether the tower blocks in their areas have been cladded using similar materials to those at the Grenfell Tower. Continue reading “Wythenshawe tower blocks “do not have Grenfell-style cladding” says MP” →