MORE people in Thurrock die of smoking related diseases than the national average.
We have more obese children and adults, worse rates of diabetes and fewer mums breast-feeding their children. The life expectancy of a man living in Tilbury is more than eight years less than a man living in Orsett. This isn’t just unfair, it’s also uneconomic. The burden on the NHS including GPs’ surgeries is increased by this ill-health.
“I hope O2 is encouraged to look at the feasibility of the idea. What started on Twitter and Facebook is growing in strength as more and more residents support the idea. It shows there is great enthusiasm in Thurrock to make Grays a dynamic town centre and that many people want to use this historic building in a way that will benefit the community and bring in visitors.
“I want to know how many people are being employed, left on stand-by and sometimes not being paid from one weekend to the next. Zero hours contracts are often the way that employers use to keep their work force “flexible” – but sometimes it’s so “flexible” there is little or no work and pay and it plays havoc with people’s incomes and lives.
Ms Billington has responded by saying: “I am disappointed but not surprised by Cllr Gledhill’s response on the bedroom tax. £70 may not sound like a lot to him but it is to many of the families who are being affected. Some, because of other changes will have to find more, whilst some of the poorest are facing this – the highest earners are getting a tax cut?
