The Aftermath of the Scandal

After the breaking of the massive scandal in Reading's social services our local press has begun working overtime to provide sufficient in-depth coverage of the what our local council is doing in this area.

The Reading Chronicle provides insight into the internal workings of the Children's and Education Department, explaining that (even in a time of rising unemployment) seven key frontline positions remain unfilled and that this is having an impact on the ability of the department to deliver a consistently high level of service.

The pressures of the additional workload placed on current staff added to the emotional commitment workers invest their duties is having a negative effect on morale and recruitment remains difficult.

The Chronicle also reports on the continuing political dispute with quotes from each side.

Cllr Tony Page (Labour) has attempted to spread the blame across the department, tacitly accepting the role of his colleague in the failings and in the process contradicting Reading West MP, Martin Salter (Lab), who claimed that the department will be worse off without Cllr Ruhemann.

Tory Leader Cllr Andrew Cumpsty has tried to describe Labour as moribund after decades in control, saying that it was time for a change, saying that "Politicians are ultimately accountable to the public for their actions."

Meanwhile Cllr Epps, speaking for the LibDems, highlights the inconsistency of Labour, claiming that they have tried to “mislead the public rather than take responsibility for a shocking lapse in standards”.

Oranjepan says:
You have to wonder how this all fits with Gordon Brown echo of the inestimable Stan Lee ("with great power comes great responsibility" - from, Spider-Man) in his insistent refrain that rights must be matched with responsibility and his constant push for a new UK Bill of Rights.

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For full coverage of the events which have rocked Reading since the death of Child T, go to the Special Report on Children's Services in Reading (see sidebar).