IRRESPONSIBLE: Newcastle's Labour MP published his annual report last week.

It was interesting only by omission. There was no mention of the unprecedented levels of public debt we now face. Nor was there a single mention of the 2.5 million unemployed, the three million on long-term incapacity benefits or the severe state of the local employment market.

Nor was there any talk of how North Staffordshire will build sustainable economic growth and new jobs in future.

What a sad reflection on how Labour MPs and the Government have given up addressing the big issues facing the country.

We may be nearing the end of our longest and deepest recession since the 1930s, but local manufacturing businesses are still struggling and credit remains difficult for many to access. The threat of redundancy remains real and present.

We are all concerned that Gordon Brown's economic disaster may mean higher taxes and a squeeze on our public services.

To ignore these challenges is profoundly irresponsible. We need an urgent debate on the future of North Staffordshire's economy.

ROBERT JENRICK

Conservative parliamentary candidate for Newcastle

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Time-debate-North-Staffordshir...