13Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

“Outrageous” social care exclusion from Govt’s new Health and Care Visa

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government’s decision to exclude social care workers from the new Health and Care Visa and the entire “skilled worker” route under the new points-based system, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said:  “It is utterly outrageous that Boris Johnson's Government has pretended to prioritise social care during the COVID-19 crisis, only to announce that these vital key workers will be excluded from the so-called "Health and Care Visa". "Without our social care workers, the most vulnerable in our society would suffer immeasurably. And yet their work is not deemed of sufficient value to this callous Conservative Government. This is a deeply short-sighted move that risks stretching the sector to breaking point, with 120,000 vacancies to fill. "Priti Patel might consider social care workers to be unskilled, but…
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13Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Save Oldham’s Services

Borough news
The COVID-19 outbreak is placing massive pressure on services provided by both Oldham Council and the NHS. Team Oldham, the voluntary sector and the community have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep Oldham residents safe. This vital work has come at a massive financial cost to Oldham Council. Although further government funding has been announced, it is not enough to fully support the people of Oldham. We’re calling on the community to say thanks to those who have been working to look after others, the care workers, waste disposal teams, emergency helpline operators and more. To enable us to keep being there for our residents we now need the support from Government in the form of fair funding. This funding will help make up the costs the council has…
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13Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Higher education announcement lacks substance

Parliamentary news
Responding to the higher technical education measures announced by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Ministers have extolled Further Education for years, yet chosen to make deep cuts. This announcement risk being no different - strong on rhetoric but low on substance. "Introducing new qualifications will be no use without the funding to back it up. We need to see unprecedented investment in skills for young people coming out of this crisis so that no-one is left behind"
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Broken conservation links need fixing urgently

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness Sam Al-Hamdani is calling on Oldham Council to urgently repair the online systems for checking on the status on conservation areas and listed buildings. Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “The Council has moved many of its services online – and for the most part it is of great benefit to residents. However, that reliance means that we need to ensure that those services stay available. “One of my local residents had an issue with an overhanging tree – a large branch had fallen into her garden, and she was understandably worried about the risk of it happening again in the future, particularly because her husband is registered blind, and their garden is a safe space for him to go out. Before we…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Government must improve testing and tracing or they risk a second wave

Parliamentary news
Responding to Michael Gove's comments this morning on the public returning to work and whether wearing face coverings should be mandatory in shops, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Face coverings should be worn in enclosed public spaces, and it is important that any government guidance on the issue is clear on exactly when and where they are recommending the public should wear them. "However, face coverings are not solely going to contain the spread of coronavirus. The government must be introducing any new guidance on face coverings as part of a package of wider measures - most importantly a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system which we are still yet to see up and running properly. "Whilst the government encourages people to go back to work and relaxes…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Children of parents who lose jobs over summer risk losing free school meals

Parliamentary news
Children of parents who lose their jobs over the coming weeks risk missing out on free school meals over the summer because of a loophole in the scheme, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran has warned. It comes following a wave of job losses this week, with John Lewis and Boots alone cutting 5,300 jobs. The current government guidelines say you must apply for a voucher for the Covid Summer Food Fund one week before school ends. For the majority of schools that close on 20 July, this means you must apply by Monday 13 July. Only children who qualify for school meals before the end of the term are eligible for support from the fund. Layla Moran has written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson warning the rule could mean…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

How do we stop modern slums in Greater Manchester?

Borough news, Campaigns
Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Sam Al-Hamdani and Hazel Gloster will pose this question when they propose a related motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (15 July). Councillors Al-Hamdani and Gloster are seeking a guarantee that any new homes that are built in the Borough have natural light and a minimum space standard. They also want this guarantee to extend to former non-residential premises converted into homes. Councillor Al-Hamdani, who is proposing the motion, said: “In Watford last year, despite the strong objections of the Liberal Democrat Mayor and Liberal Democrat Council, planning permission was granted for flats that had no windows and were smaller than 37 square metres, which is below the government guidelines. While there are guidelines, there is nothing in law saying this cannot happen…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Wasting money on Britain’s borders just more incompetence from Johnson’s Government

Parliamentary news
Responding to the announcement of the Government's funding to help manage Britain's borders, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Tories’ handling of their own policy of Brexit is fast becoming as shambolic as their handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The sheer incompetence, waste of taxpayers’ money, and continual deception of the public must make this Government the worst in living memory. "The fact that even government ministers are warning about the disastrous consequences of their own border plans, not only shows how bad things are, but that there never was an 'oven ready' Brexit. "Ministers full attention should be on containing the spread of the virus and getting our society back to normal, yet they are wasting hundreds of millions on new border infrastructure. “Boris Johnson’s…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

New Government campaign will fill businesses with horror

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's announcement of their new campaign for businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Businesses right across the United Kingdom have struggled to survive financially over the past few months as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The fact that the Government is now trying to force them to gear up and prepare for the end of the transition period will fill them with utter horror. "The coronavirus crisis has been an unprecedented challenge on British business, with many being forced to let go of staff and some even closing their doors for good. As our economy struggles to recover, the Tories dragging us towards another economic hit will mean a vast amount of businesses…
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10Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government unwillingness to work with EU is unforgivable

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports UK has opted out of the EU's coronavirus vaccines scheme, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “When coronavirus is such a threat to people’s lives and livelihoods, Ministers should leave no stone unturned in their bid to end the pandemic. “This Government's stubborn unwillingness to work with the European Union through the current crisis is unforgivable.  “The crisis does not stop at any national border. It is about time the Prime Minister started showing leadership, including fully participating in all EU efforts to secure critical medical supplies and a vaccine.”
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