11Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

First Bus sale a chance to create a First-Class Bus Service, says Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has responded to recent reports in the national and transport press that First Bus Group has put its Manchester operation up for sale.  Councillor Sykes also represents Oldham Council on the Transport for Greater Manchester committee. According to Passenger Transport, in 2012/13 the division had a £101 million turnover and made £3.5 million profit.  However, by 2017/18 revenues had fallen to £86m, and the Manchester operation made a loss of £5.8m.  National media reports suggest the business could be sold for as little as £20 million with vehicles sold to one or more competing operators, along with depots at Bolton, Bury and Oldham. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said:  “The consistent feedback received from my constituents, who are…
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11Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats support Dogs Trust Clean-up Campaign on Valentine’s Day

Borough news
The Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is supporting a Dogs Trust campaign called ‘A Tail of True Love’.  The leading animal welfare charity launches this campaign every year on Valentine’s Day (14 February) to encourage dog owners who love their pets to clean up after them. Since being elected in 2015, Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Gloster has, like his Liberal Democrat colleagues in Shaw and Crompton, found dog fouling to be the bane of his life in elected office. Councillor Chris Gloster with Councillor Hazel Gloster, and William the dog, showing their support for A Tail of True Love at Dunwood Park, Shaw, where dog-fouling is an issue Commenting Councillor Gloster said: “Ward Councillors receive regular complaints about dog fouling.  It is both an eye-sore and a health hazard,…
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11Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

No specific funding for NHS in no deal scenario

Parliamentary news
The Conservative Government has refused to reveal how much funding it is allocating to keep the National Health Service running in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Although the Department of Health and Social Care has been allocated £71 million by the Treasury to prepare for Brexit, in an answer to a written PQ it said it was “unable to provide a breakdown of the amount of funding allocated to ‘no deal’ preparations specifically”. Of the 18 Government departments questioned on their no-deal spending in written PQs tabled by Vince Cable, just one – the Department for Transport – provided a specific figure. Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said: “Matt Hancock has been boasting about being the world’s biggest buyer of fridges, yet his department doesn’t even appear…
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11Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Property guardians caught in poverty trap

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Responding to the investigation by the I into property guardians, Liberal Democrat peer Olly Grender said: “This undercover investigation shows how desperately bad the housing crisis has become. More and more people are living as property guardians in buildings that are dangerous and insanitary and the law fails to protect them. “Safeguards must be introduced before the Government has another tragedy on its hands such as Grenfell. This is a hidden crisis for people caught in a trap of poverty and lack of decent housing and needs urgent attention. “The fact these properties are unsafe and unhealthy to live in should result in a rapid review of the relevant laws. It is vital that the Government now re-evaluate our HMO regulations to ensure that this form of tenancy, in all but name, cannot…
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08Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats seek more affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly homes – but NOT on Greenbelt

Parliamentary news, Saddleworth News
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has responded to a consultation with Councillors on the proposed new Housing Strategy for the Borough by asking for more affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly homes to be built. Howard Sykes, leader of the opposition Councillor Sykes said: “More affordable homes are needed, including more homes for social-rent and for part-ownership, especially for first-time buyers and renters on a lower income who need a helping hand to get on the housing ladder.  With our growing population, we will also need more accessible properties catering for the needs of older people with disabilities, for families with one or more children with disabilities and for young adults with disabilities wishing to live independently.” “Finally, we are…
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07Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: Govt needs to stop hitting people with higher energy bills

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that more than half of households are set to see an increase in energy costs with Ofgem raising price caps, former Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said:“The Conservatives introduced the price cap claiming it would save people money. But it was never going to do so, and it was inevitable that they would instead have to put the cap up at some point. “Now the truth on the price cap is clearer to people, the Government needs to stop hitting people with higher energy bills thanks to their policies.“Competition in the energy market is under threat due to this cap. Yet it is precisely that competition which has helped many more consumers reduce their energy bills than the cap. “Liberal Democrats believe people deserve better. We would take meaningful steps…
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06Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Thousands dying waiting for social care as Govt ignores crisis

Thousands dying waiting for social care as Govt ignores crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to the research by Age UK showing that more than 50,000 older people have now died waiting in vain for care during the 700 days since the Government first said it would publish a Social Care Green Paper, Former Liberal Democrat Health Minister Norman Lamb said: “These figures are tragic for many families and the stories of some of those who have been impacted should give many in government and across politics pause for thought. “People are turning for help in their old age and help is not there. Despite the crisis in adult social care the Conservatives are consistently and consciously underfunding these services and the social care green paper promised in March 2017 has now been delayed six times.“The Conservative Government is incapable of solving this problem themselves. They must now…
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03Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Cable: Nissan decision symbolises the loss of confidence in the UK

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Nissan is expected to announce that it is cancelling a planned investment at its Sunderland plant, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said: “The Conservatives have lost the right to call themselves the party of business. If these reports are true, the extent to which the Government have destroyed businesses' confidence in the UK is clear. “This is a massively significant decision which has largely been driven by Brexit. Nissan has been a big British success story based on confidence in the United Kingdom.  This decision is just as symbolic as it is important. “The Liberal Democrats are clear that the only way to give business the certainty they need and get the country out of this chaos is to offer a people's vote, with…
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03Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Nuclear treaty withdrawal risks global instability

Nuclear treaty withdrawal risks global instability

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Russia has suspended its involvement in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, following the United States’ decision to also suspend their involvement yesterday evening, former Liberal Democrat Leader Lord Campbell said:“These developments are both alarming and depressing. Gradually piece by piece the security architecture which followed the end of the Cold War has been destroyed. “The world is a much less safe place with nuclear weapons when they cease to be the subject of treaties and agreements. Although both Putin and Trump deny it, there is a severe and continuing risk of a nuclear arms race which will bring instability throughout the world.”
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01Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Landmark conviction in fight to stamp out FGM

Landmark conviction in fight to stamp out FGM

Campaigns, Parliamentary news
Responding to the reports of the first conviction of female genital mutilation in the UK, former Liberal Democrat Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said: “We have waited a long time to see a conviction for female genital mutilation. The victim here was just three years old. There is no doubt that this is child abuse and this prosecution makes clear this practice is against the law. “I welcome this prosecution and hope to see other perpetrators of this vile crime brought to justice. Communities in the UK will now know that if they commit FGM they will be brought before the courts. “Prosecution is crucially important, but it is vital that the Government work to support those working in the communities to stamp out FGM, ensuring no future generations of girls…
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