18Dec 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Rise in homelessness shows Conservative Government’s approach isn’t working

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have today renewed calls for “a more compassionate and holistic approach” to tackling homelessness following the publication of new government statistics today which revealed an 11.4% rise in households assessed as either homeless or threatened with homelessness. Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: “The continuing rise in homeless households shows that this Conservative Government’s approach just isn’t working. It is simply unacceptable. “We urgently need to take a more compassionate and holistic approach, across government, to tackling this crisis in our communities. Given the clear connection between a history of mental health problems and homelessness, any solution must involve better mental health provision. “We also need to scrap the Dickensian Vagrancy Act, which continues to criminalise rough sleeping for those who fall through the safety net and end up on the streets.…
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25Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems will reverse school cuts in Oldham

Borough news
The Liberal Democrats have announced that they will spend £10 billion a year more on schools and hire 20,000 more teachers by the end of the next Parliament. Figures from the National Education Union show that next year (2020/21), schools in Oldham will have seen their budgets cut by over £12.million in real terms since 2015, once increasing pupil numbers are taken into account. This is equivalent to a cut of in funding per pupil of £346 in Oldham East and Saddleworth and £287 Oldham West and Royton since 2015 per pupil. Under current proposals nearly 1 in 4 schools in Oldham West and Royton will see further cuts next year. In Oldham East and Saddleworth that is 1 in 3 schools Councillor Garth Harkness, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Oldham…
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02Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillors’ campaign for clean air in Oldham Borough

Borough news
Children are now often exposed to unsafe levels of pollutants outside of schools at peak times.  Road transport is one of the biggest contributors to pollution in Oldham Borough.  Councillor Diane Williamson wants “No-Vehicle-Idling zones” around schools across the Borough.  Harmful fumes from cars and buses waiting nearby schools can stunt lung growth and harm child development.  The Liberal Democrat team are bringing this new policy to Oldham Full Council on the 6th November 2019. Councillor Williamson states: “Only a handful of schools across the country are trialling No Vehicle Idling zones, yet these schemes bring many health benefits.  Not having any measures to prevent air pollution poses a serious threat to the health of young people.”  Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who is supporting the clean air motion criticises widespread inaction on…
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02Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Anti-Bullying Week 2019 gets a special mention from Liberal Democrats

Borough news, Campaigns
This year's Anti-Bullying Week has the theme “Change Starts With Us”.  The awareness event is happening from Monday 11th November - Friday 15th November 2019.  Oldham Borough Liberal Democrats are seeking to refresh the Council’s anti bullying policy and raise awareness at the 6th November 2019 Full Council Meeting.  People of all ages are bullied because of their race, culture, faith, appearance, sex and identity.  Councillor Garth Harkness, who is also a teacher, says this bullying can take place in person but often happens online.  He wants to focus on the root problem in local schools and at the Council itself. Councillor Harkness states: “Bullying infiltrates every level of society.  Even in government.  This Council needs to communicate with schools in Oldham Borough about the packs released to schools for anti-bullying week.” “These…
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02Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Johnson and Corbyn running scared of Swinson

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that ITV will host a head to head debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Ed Davey said: “Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are running scared.  “They appear determined to block the woman leader of the strongest party of Remain from the debate stage. “They know that their vision for our country can’t compare to the Liberal Democrat plan to stop Brexit and build a brighter future.”
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02Nov 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Fracking move won’t make up for Tory neglect of the environment

Parliamentary news
Responding the Government ending support for fracking in the UK, former Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey said: “A moratorium on fracking is welcome but it is not a ban. Liberal Democrats back an immediate ban now - given the evidence we are now in a climate emergency. “The law Liberal Democrats passed to protect communities from earthquakes and seismic tremors caused by fracking has done alot to prevent the Conservatives pressing ahead with fracking. It is not surprising to me that our brake has now led to this. “But this belated, eve of election policy pause won’t distract voters from the Tories’ shocking record on the environment - not least the Prime Minister’s, when he lobbied to relax air pollution laws. “With Johnson desperate to please his climate change denier…
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25Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Shock study shows Oldham Council losing war against deprivation

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE says there is one league table Oldham do not want to rise up the ranks of which is the Indices of Deprivation.  A recent report by the Government, the Indices of Deprivation 2019 (IoD 2019) provides very detailed information on how well an area is doing.  This assessment is based on income, employment, education, health, crime, housing and living environment.  In terms of a real change, Oldham Borough has slid backwards and is not improving.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Sykes is demanding better from the Council in the work that must be done on local deprivation.  Oldham Borough has risen from the 27th most deprived local authority in England to the 16th most deprived area.  This is in only four years (2015 to 2019).  Oldham Borough is in the…
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25Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham needs its fair share of 20,000 promised police officers

Borough news
More than twenty thousand police officers have been taken off UK streets over the last ten years.  Now the Government announces that thousands of new Police Officers will be recruited.  Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wants to make sure Oldham Borough gets a fair share of these replacement crimefighters.  The Liberal Democrat Leader on Oldham Council contacted Greater Manchester Police to see how many new officers Oldham Borough will get. “There have been many announcements both local and national about recruiting new Police Officers.  I want to make sure what we are hearing from the Government matches up with local people’s needs and expectations.” “As leader of the opposition on Oldham Borough Council, I want to ensure that we have enough officers on our streets to deal with the many issues…
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17Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Stop the threat of fracking in Oldham

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE and the Oldham Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned on environmental issues, locally and nationally.  At a time when climate change activists are taking to the streets to campaign against the negative effects of climate change.  Councillor Sykes MBE reveals the Council’s weak policy when it comes to shale gas extraction (also known as Fracking).  Councillor Sykes MBE has challenged Council Bosses on their Fracking position. Oldham’s Fracking policy within the 2013-2020 environmental strategy is incredibly vague.  Within the document, shale gas extraction is mentioned as something the Council will consider. There is a possibility fracking can take place locally.  No Fracking currently takes place in Oldham Borough, but this weak policy means it might happen soon. “We have green countryside and a stable water table in…
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17Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Record high knife crime offences shows Tories failure to act

Parliamentary news
Responding to the statistics released today from the ONS that show knife crime offences have hit a record high in England and Wales, rising 7% in the last year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Christine Jardine said: “To hear that knife crime has hit a record high in England and Wales demonstrates more than ever this Tory Government’s failure to tackle the rising violence across the UK. “Far too many young lives are being lost due to this epidemic of serious violence. Rather than talking tough, it is time Boris Johnson looked at the evidence and made changes that will actually help cut crime. “The UK already imprisons more people than any other country in Western Europe, and whilst the Conservatives have already tried to introduce tougher prison sentences for knife crime, knife crime…
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