Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Brown's free cancer drugs won’t apply in Northern Ireland
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
enlargeGordon Brown's plans to give cancer patients free prescriptions and every child internet access at home will not extend to Northern Ireland.
As he battles to rescue his premiership in a make-or-break conference speech today the prime minister announced a number of populist policies in a bid to revive Labour's fortunes.
They include plans to scrap drug charges for all cancer patients and, eventually, for long term chronic illnesses. And one million households will get up to £700 to pay for computers, broadband, software and technical support – an initiative designed to make plain that only Labour will “give everyone a chance”.
But the pioneering plans will only be extended to Northern Ireland if the Assembly decides it also wants to adopt them.
Asked if Mr Brown's crucial speech this afternoon will include proposals that will reach out to the devolved assemblies, an aide said he “was sure it would”, although it is not clear what they might include.
Other sections of Mr Brown's speech will strike a much a harsher tone, with pledges to to crack down on the workshy and shut out unwanted migrants in a “something for something Britain, a nothing-for-nothing Britain”.
He was telling activists in Manchester: “Everyone who can work must work, so that the dole is only for those who are looking for work, or actively preparing for it.
“The other side of welcoming newcomers who can help Britain is being tough about excluding those who cannot. That's only fair to the taxpaying public and the migrants who uphold the rules.”
Mr Brown was also setting out how he plans to “clean up the City” amid rising public anger at reckless lending and outrageous bonuses — in stark contrast to the “walk way” Tories. He pledged a crackdown on greed in the City through spot-checks on bonuses blamed for encouraging irresponsible risk-taking by financiers.
Attempts by rebel MPs to bring down the PM have stalled because of the banking crisis, but the ceasefire will not hold unless Mr Brown can win back public trust.
Meanwhile, one old enemy of the prime minister – EU commissioner Peter Mandelson – refused to offer his backing. Quizzed on Mr Brown's leadership, Mr Mandelson smiled, but remained silent, although he said the prime minister's analysis of problems in the global economy was “absolutely right”.
And Mr Brown found himself ranked a lowly tenth in a conference survey of ‘Labour heroes' among his own MPs, Attlee. Even worse for the prime minister, Tony Blair was placed fifth.
- Text Size
Jerry f i doubt in an all ireland we would all be treated the same anyway that is not going to happen anytime soon might i ad we on this side of the fence certinaly 'have not gone away you know'' and we will not give in to a united ireland.
Also this country is called Northern Ireland not ''north of ireland'' however it is pleasing to know the pain it causes you thinking that is country is under british rule
Posted by Andrew | 24.09.08, 16:49 GMT
I am American residing here in Northern Ireland, and very proud to be here. I really don't mind paying my taxes here as the majority of tax monies actually comes back in Government services for the UK constituency, not bombs and debt interest. I believe that the management of taxes here is far superior than that of America.
But, that in mind, I do have to say, Gordon Brown's exclusion of Northern Ireland in health care and leave no child behind initiatives makes me think that if American Government were offer free health care to every American state, but say, Texas, New York, Florida and California. Hmmm, I think there would be quite huge political ruccus until they received equal treatment. Our politicians need to put these issues on the table.
Posted by DW | 23.09.08, 22:31 GMT
Do you not realize at long last that Britain does not want the north of Ireland. You would be treated equally and fairly in a united Ireland.
Posted by JerryF | 23.09.08, 21:13 GMT
Why Northern Ireland , as part of Great Britain is to be excluded from these benefits is not stated.
Posted by donald | 23.09.08, 20:28 GMT
Come on people, some common sense please. We have a devolved Assembly therefore it is up to our own Executive to come up with these initiatives. Naturally they don't because they are a bunch of fools who have no electoral impetus to do such a thing given our facist 'sharing' regeme, you will continue to vote along tribal lines so the status quo is not likely to change. You have the leadership you deserve, ergo useless government and regressive policy. Good luck.
Posted by M Spence | 23.09.08, 19:04 GMT
The recent Writeback letter from a Tangled Web in Ballyclare touched on these very points and was castigated by some posters as an angry little man with nothing else to think about.
You see, Tangled Web, you were right about the exclusion of Northern Ireland from things UK. The point you made about the exclusion from assistance with home heating fuel is well noted by me. As was the excuse given by Downing Street about the matter being a devolved issue for the Stormont Assembly being nonsence when Wales (which has a similar Assembly) got it. This is more of the same and it is not just coincidence anymore.
They are trying to dilute our sense of being British/connected to the UK hoping that we will all go thankfully into a United Ireland.
Posted by Tom Brown | 23.09.08, 17:53 GMT
yes Richard people do read the articles. that does not defeat the fact that Northern Ireland is only wanted when its beneficial. it happens all the time, i pay to watch tv yet every time theres a break all i can see is insurance for this and insurance for that, only it excludes northern ireland as per usual why should i pay to be told i cant have whats on offer? either northern ireland is part of the uk or it isnt, there should be no if's or but's.
but its ok, even with our, sorry some of the uk's credit crunch will not be affected by one million homes getting up to £700 for computers, broadband, software and technical support....... where will this money come rom? Mr Browns pocket? i think not
Posted by JD | 23.09.08, 16:40 GMT
"But the pioneering plans will only be extended to Northern Ireland if the Assembly decides it also wants to adopt them."
oops, someone left out "and pay for them as well"
Posted by Peter | 23.09.08, 16:39 GMT
who does gordon brown think he is. Does he not know we are part of the UK and deserve better. He doesnt mention how many soldiers from here are serving in aghanistan. He needs to wise up
Posted by seana | 23.09.08, 16:09 GMT
The Labour party puts forward no candidates for election in Northern Ireland, therefore there is no point in buying votes here. Prudent to the bitter end.
Posted by Peter | 23.09.08, 16:02 GMT
Is Brown trying to blackmail us or something. Are we not part of the UK and deserve the same as the part he lives in. He gets it easy where as we have to scrimp and save from day to day. Time he and the rest of the politicians wised up.
Posted by seana | 23.09.08, 15:57 GMT
This is an out rage! Nothern Ireland is one of the Worlds top for treating Cancer in the World but yet Mr Brown cant see that and give us something back for all the research and money that we have donated to help fight Cancer. Just another example why Northern Ireland always seems to get used like we always have done !!
Posted by CW | 23.09.08, 15:23 GMT
well said JD, you see it all the time. Even when u see a car insurance or home insurance advert on TV, tiny writing at the bottom of the screen will say that N.Ireland is excluded. WHY?
Posted by jimmy craic corn | 23.09.08, 15:21 GMT
I'm getting sick and tired of this position - How many times have you seen 'Northern Ireland excluded' printed in small writing on some offer or other? It's ridiculous, now even Gordon Brown is at it. He doesn't want to do anything until it's been approved by the Assembly, he tells us. Funny that doesn't seem to apply in Scotland or Wales!! Nothing at all to do with clawing back a few quid, of course, despite the fact that this is by far the most expensive region in the UK in which to live.
And incidentally, when it comes to costs for drugs, whatever happened to Michael McGimpsey's much-vaunted review of prescription charges here? That's been running for months and no word of a resolution. Meanwhile, some of us who have to pay for essential repeat prescriptions just keep shelling out, while others, inexplicably, get theirs for free.
Posted by Gracey | 23.09.08, 14:53 GMT
"But the pioneering plans will only be extended to Northern Ireland if the Assembly decides it also wants to adopt them."
Don't people read these articles before they let off steam?
Posted by Richard | 23.09.08, 14:28 GMT
Put Mr Brown in Northern Ireland for a few years, put him on a normal wage and make him pay tax as normal and see how long it takes for him to include Northern Ireland. once again Northern Ireland is only wanted as part of the U.K when it suits. it should be one rule for all in the U.K if they are happy to take tax money then we should get the full benefits of it
Posted by JD | 23.09.08, 13:33 GMT