Cllr Merry recession webcast transcript

This is the transcript of the 'tackling the recession' webcast by Cllr John Merry, Salford City Council leader.

Hello and welcome to the area of our website we have set up especially to guide you to the help you might need.

You don’t need me to tell you about the impact of the global economic downturn. It is affecting everyone in some way.

The very fact you are visiting these pages and listening to me means that it is affecting you in particular.

Whilst the council cannot on its own prevent the global downturn, I believe it is the job, indeed the duty of the council to help the people of Salford cope with its effects. I want to reassure you that the council can help you.

We offer all sorts of services that can assist. And if we don’t run those services ourselves, we can point you in the direction of partners who do.

If you’ve lost your job or are just finding it harder to make ends meet then these pages will let you know how to tap into the support on offer.

Maybe you need advice on how to manage your rent, or perhaps you are worried about keeping up your mortgage payments?

We’ve included a handy benefits calculator for you if you’re trying to work out a new budget in changed circumstances, or may be you want to find out about job and training opportunities?

Redundancy - even the worry that you might lose your job - is one of many factors which might be creating an emotional strain in these difficult times. Just as your budget can be under pressure, so can you. These pages let you know about where you can go for emotional support.

And if you’re not sure how to find what you need, we’ve set up a special telephone line.

The number is 0161 909 6524. Pick up the phone and tell us what we can do to help. We’ll do what we can.

These web pages are just part of the council’s response to the credit crunch. We have also set up a recession task group to see what else we can do to minimise the effects of the downturn - and make sure we are prepared for the upturn.

As well as councillors, that task group includes representatives from organisations such as Job Centre Plus, Salford College, Salford Chamber of Commerce, Housing Connections and the Primary Care Trust.

The city council and its partners are also active at the Greater Manchester level, keeping an eye on the regional picture and looking at what we can do there.

Thank you for listening and I hope these pages are able to help you.

This page was last updated on 3 October 2009