Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has committed to backing a 1.9% increase in MP's pay - instead of the 3%, above inflation increase that some MPs seem to be preferring. Mr Rowen has backed Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has said MPs' pay increases should be limited to 1.9 per cent instead of the higher award they expect from the Independent Senior Salaries Review Board.
Councillor Wera Hobhouse, the Council's Portfolio Holder for the Environment has hailed results that show that Rochdale has seen the lowest increase in the number of reported sightings of rats in Greater Manchester. Figures obtained from the Council show that there was a 2% increase of sightings of rats since last year. Of the Councils in Greater Manchester who have revealed their statistics, Rochdale has seen the lowest increase - 1068 sightings in 2006 up to 1088 sightings in 2007.
A new study has confirmed that people with arthritis who follow a set exercise programme could enjoy a better quality of life. Researchers from the University of North Carolina in the US published their study in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. The trial involved 346 patients with an average age of 70 who had self-reported arthritis.
New research has suggested that having uncommonly long ring fingers could indicate a person is at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. A study of more than 2,000 people, published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, suggests that people whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger are up to twice as likely to suffer from OA.
Having too little vitamin D has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, a US study has found. The Harvard Medical School team said the risk was particularly high for those who also had high blood pressure.
Up to three million people with disabilities in the UK could be trapped in poverty, a report has suggested. The study by campaigning group Leonard Cheshire Disability says disabled people are more likely to live in hardship now than a decade ago.
