22May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government threatens to scrap levelling up plans days after they were announced

Government threatens to scrap levelling up plans days after they were announced

Borough news, housing and development, Parliamentary news
The government came under heavy criticism from councils and developers after it emerged that plans had been made to scrap their Levelling Up plans just days after the Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech. Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Howard Sykes MBE said, “The government have promised to deliver a levelling up agenda for years now and when we finally see a Bill being brought forward, they’ve left themselves a sneaky hidden option to drop it all together when things get tough. Clearly ‘Levelling Up’ is just a political slogan to this Conservative government and they want to make sure they can still use it at the next General Election. “The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill commits the government to ‘levelling up missions’ around the country. These missions – which…
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20May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Conservative MPs vote against tax cut in “betrayal” of families

Conservative MPs vote against tax cut in “betrayal” of families

Parliamentary news
Conservative MPs have voted down a Lib Dem amendment today in Parliament calling for an emergency tax cut. The amendment to the Queen's Speech would have cut VAT to 17.5%, saving the average family £600 a year by cutting prices in the shops. Rishi Sunak is refusing to cut VAT, despite being forecast to cash in £39 billion in extra VAT receipts over the next four years due to soaring inflation. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “Cutting VAT would put money straight back into people’s pockets, and the Chancellor could do it at the stroke of a pen. “Rishi Sunak’s refusal to do so while cashing in billions in extra VAT receipts is a betrayal of pensioners and families feeling the pain of soaring prices. “People won’t forgive this…
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20May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Met Partygate fines: Sue Gray report must be published without delay

Met Partygate fines: Sue Gray report must be published without delay

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news the Met Police have concluded their partygate investigation with a total of 126 fines issued, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “This police investigation confirms Boris Johnson’s Downing Street was fined more times for breaking Covid laws than any other address in the country. It exposes a shocking level of criminality at the heart of Johnson’s Number 10. “It beggars belief that Conservative MPs are allowing our great country to be run by a prime minister who broke the law then repeatedly lied about it. “The full Sue Gray report should now be published without delay, and the parliamentary inquiry should be launched into Johnson’s lies. “The public made huge sacrifices while Boris Johnson partied, they deserve the full truth."
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20May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems announce former Army Major as Tiverton and Honiton by-election candidate

Lib Dems announce former Army Major as Tiverton and Honiton by-election candidate

Parliamentary news
Ed Davey declares by-election a two-horse race between "Boris Johnson’s Conservatives and hard-working Liberal Democrat local champion"Lib Dem candidate will campaign on the need to slash taxes, cut GP waiting times and secure a fairer deal for Devon farmers The Liberal Democrats have announced that Richard Foord will be their candidate for the upcoming Tiverton & Honiton by-election. Richard lives in Uffculme with his wife and family. He grew up in the West Country and served for ten years in the Army after Commissioning from Sandhurst, reaching the rank of Major and receiving three campaign medals for service in Iraq and the Balkans. Living locally, Richard is active across the community. He volunteers at two scout groups in the area and has raised thousands of pounds for charities, including running…
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17May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Petrol profiteers: Haul bosses into Downing Street

Petrol profiteers: Haul bosses into Downing Street

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called on Boris Johnson to haul petrol firm bosses into Downing Street, after research by the RAC found they have failed to pass on nearly half of the fuel duty cut to consumers. The Liberal Democrats are also calling for an emergency VAT cut that would save the average family £600 a year. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “This Conservative government is sitting on its hands and allowing petrol firms to rake in eye-watering profits at the expense of hard-pressed families. “This government’s failure to tackle soaring prices of petrol and diesel is hitting our rural communities hardest. They need help now, instead we have a government in chaos that is raising taxes again and again. “It’s high time Boris Johnson hauled petrol…
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17May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Conservatives trashing Britain’s reputation as a development superpower

Conservatives trashing Britain’s reputation as a development superpower

Parliamentary news
Responding to the release of the International Development Strategy, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “The Conservative Government is trying to run and hide from the devastating impact of their aid cuts. The callous decision to slash aid spending is so scarcely mentioned in the Strategy it’s like they’re pretending it doesn’t exist. “The Foreign Secretary won’t even appear before Parliament to announce this new Strategy - because she knows that she will face difficult questions on how this broken Conservative promise is harming the most vulnerable around the world.” “The Conservatives’ true strategy on international development is demonstrated by their actions, not their words. Development has been relegated from the Cabinet table, the aid budget has been slashed, and the UK’s proud reputation as a development…
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17May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Wages down confirm we are facing “cost of living nightmare”

Wages down confirm we are facing “cost of living nightmare”

Parliamentary news
The latest ONS figures show regular pay fell by 1.2% in January to March 2022. Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "These figures confirm families are facing a cost of living nightmare, with wages failing to keep up with soaring energy bills and food prices. "It is the worst possible time to be raising taxes on struggling families, yet still the Chancellor is ploughing ahead. "Rishi Sunak has cashed in billions of pounds in extra VAT receipts this year as prices go through the roof. He needs to put some of this money back into people's pockets through an emergency tax cut, instead of cashing in on their misery. "Slashing VAT would cut prices, reduce inflation and boost spending, it should be a no brainer." The full ONS…
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16May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Jeremy Hunt is too cowardly to say what everyone else in Britain is thinking

Jeremy Hunt is too cowardly to say what everyone else in Britain is thinking

Parliamentary news
Responding to Jeremy Hunt refusing to answer if Boris Johnson is an honest man, Liberal Democrat Business spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: "Britain needs new leadership to get through this cost of living crisis yet all we have is unfair tax hikes and a Prime Minister who can't tell the truth. Jeremy Hunt is too cowardly to say what everyone else in Britain is thinking. Boris Johnson is a serial liar and not fit to govern this country. "It is time Jeremy Hunt carried out his patriotic duty and called time on Boris Johnson as Prime Minister." "As a Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt should know the sheer anger felt in former Conservative heartlands at this Government. From Chesham and Amersham to last week's local election results, it is clear the…
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13May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Windfall tax “flip flopping” sign of a government in chaos

Windfall tax “flip flopping” sign of a government in chaos

Parliamentary news
Responding to Boris Johnson's latest comments on introducing a windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: "The mixed signals from Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak over a windfall tax are a sign of a government in chaos that is failing to act on the cost of living emergency. "People want to see decisive action now to help them with soaring energy bills. Instead we have day after day of contradictory statements, while energy companies rake in record profits and families can't afford to put food on the table. "It is a clear sign that Boris Johnson is simply not fit to lead us through this time of national crisis. We need strong leadership, not endless flip flopping."
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13May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Protections for cash machines announced in Queen’s Speech

Protections for cash machines announced in Queen’s Speech

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Shaw councillor, Howard Sykes MBE has been campaigning against cash machine closures in recent years and has welcomed the recent Queen’s Speech announcement about cash machines (ATMs). According to analysis from consumer researchers at ‘Which?’, since 2015, almost half of the UK’s bank branch network has closed. In addition, a further 12,178 free-to-use cash machines have vanished since 2018. During yesterday’s Queen’s Speech, the government pledged to introduce a Financial Services and Markets Bill, which will contain measures to protect cash machines and keep them readily available to businesses and members of the public. “Access to cash is vital for businesses and individuals, even in today’s environment where so many transactions are cashless. We have already lost several cash machines in Shaw and Crompton.…
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