are we not forgetting that the people of Falinge do have a right to confidentiality as to any claim they make from the state. Perhaps we should to concentrate on tax evaders and list the places they live.

   It's nice to see a Minister speaking to real people. Lets hope he makes sure it is the people that are listened to rather then those who think they know best. Hopefully proper training for proper jobs will be on the menu. From what I have heard the volunteers and residents did themselves proud. Fallinge has had to put up with being stigmatised for far to long.

   Rochdale Observer must follow this up , print the numbers of jobless now and how many take up jobs and come back in 6 months then a year, I will put my mortgage on it being a greater number and there being no change, its just political spin this chap will have forgotten about Rochdale as soon as he got on the train back to the leafy subhurb he lives in with his detached house and 2.4 children at private school. Underclasses will always be here unless the government stop giving cash for nothing get them working for benefits is the only way forward

   A question for the Minister: It is said that the half square mile of Falinge is the scrounge capital of the UK. Does this include Northern Ireland?

   I'm not surprised local and national politicians are trying to make political gain & cover-up past policy failures, from the recent media exposure. This flying visit is an obvious attempt at damage limitation. The issues highligted by Jonathan Swain are a direct result of Government policy, with the massive influx of non-EU migrants and the failings of the Department for Work and Pensions which has shifted people around the benefit system resulting in record numbers of incapacity claimants.

No amount of skills training is going to address the root cause of the problem i.e. it is too easy to claim and live of benefits, if one is determined to work the system. For those in genuine need of employment support, a lot more money needs to be made availble from Central Government.

   get them back to work, you've got no chance, its too easy to be on the benefits they are on.