News – Page 131 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

23Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Keeping residents in touch

Borough news

Local Liberal Democrat Crompton Councillor Louie Hamblett has written to Oldham’s Clinical Commissioning Group in his capacity as Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care in regards to Royton and Crompton family practice telephone issues. His letter dated 9th of September asks as to what actions are being taken in regards to Royton and Crompton family practice (based in Royton) being unable to answer their phone lines and their dire ability to correspond with patients, local pharmacies and other health professionals. Mike Barker Oldham’s Chief Operating Officer for Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group responded to Councillor Hamblett following on from his initial correspondence, in which he asked what actions are being taken to resolve your constituents’ problems contacting their GP by phone following the recent merger of Royton and…

23Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats believe social care will be a Cinderella service if transferred to NHS

Borough news, Campaigns

The Oldham Liberal Democrats are concerned that social care will become a secondary priority if transferred from local authority control to the National Health Service. At present, local authorities, like Oldham Council, take the primary role in providing a care service to elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents living at home, but Conservative ministers are rumoured to be considering transferring this responsibility to the NHS. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said: “I know from recent personal experience that the National Health Service with its excellent medical facilities and dedicated staff do a wonderful job, but, the NHS does so many things and is such a large organisation, that I really fear that social care in its hands would become a Cinderella service, at the bottom of the rung…

23Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government refuse to address evictions loophole leaving 55,000 households at risk

Parliamentary news

Today, the Conservatives blocked the Liberal Democrats' attempt to close the loophole in the Government's legislation to end the eviction ban, which has left an estimated 55,000 households at risk of being evicted since Monday. The motion, put forward by the Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson in the House of Lords, Baroness Grender, would have effectively abolished the Government's Statutory Instrument, forcing Ministers to address the issue. The motion was defeated 126 votes to 266. Following the vote, Baroness Grender said: “The subject of this vote today was 55,000 households teetering on the brink of eviction. The Conservatives promised that no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus would lose their home, but now all it takes is for a landlord to reinvoke an eviction notice and these families will…

23Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems secure urgent question to challenge Government on eviction loophole

Parliamentary news

Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Tim Farron has secured an Urgent Question in the House of Commons following a loophole in the Government’s legislation to end the eviction ban, which has left an estimated 55,000 households at risk of being evicted since Monday. It comes the same day as Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson in the House of Lords Olly Grender will use a motion in an attempt to try and block the legislation from going ahead. Ahead of the Urgent Question, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokeperson Tim Farron said: “With a second wave of virus infections spreading through the country, now is the worst possible time for tens of thousands of renters to be forced out of their homes. "The Conservatives promised at the beginning of this crisis that no renter who…

22Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Secrecy over speed camera criteria “is something North Korea would be very proud of”

Borough news

The Oldham Liberal Democrats want to see some action to bring speed cameras back into use and more transparency over where they are sited and how they are funded. At present officers from GM Councils, the Greater Manchester Police and Transport for Greater Manchester meet to discuss speed cameras, with elected councillors having no say in decision making; a situation that Oldham Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has described as “something North Korea would be very proud of.” Councillor Sykes has written to Eamonn Boylan, the Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, asking him to ensure that all existing speed cameras are functional and recording traffic violations as they happen, and that they be upgraded to incorporate the latest digital technology. Councillor Sykes also wants…

22Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must fix the test and trace system

Parliamentary news

Responding to the news that the Covid19 threat level has gone from three to four, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: "The Coronavirus crisis is taking an enormous toll on people. People are rightly concerned about their loved ones. Thousands of families are facing financial hardship. We all want life to get back to normal as soon as possible. "The collapse of the Test and Trace system is utterly inexcusable, and the first objective of the Government must be to fix it. Ministers should have done more to ensure resilience in the system given the inevitable increase in demand when people returned to schools, workplaces, universities and social settings. "As the situation changes there must be crystal clear guidance so that people know the best ways to protect…

22Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must make more help available to pubs and restaurants

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports that the PM will set a 10pm closing time and only allow table service in restaurants and pubs, leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “For millions of people this will feel like a step backwards. After months of disruption to our daily lives many will feel anxious and worried about this latest development. “The Government must immediately put forward a detailed plan to fix the track and trace system, which is the only way to avoid further measures being necessary. “The Prime Minister must also financially help pubs and restaurants who will inevitably lose business. After people have already been through so much hardship, we cannot allow thousands of jobs to disappear overnight.”

22Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems will continue to fight for the rule of law

Parliamentary news

Speaking after the votes on the Internal Market Bill, where 255 MPs voted against the Government breaking international law, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney Said: “Liberal Democrat and Alliance MPs took a clear stand for the rule of law and for stability in Northern Ireland against Boris Johnson’s tactics to violate the EU Withdrawal Agreement. “With members across the house joining to stand for what’s right and voting against the Government, Boris Johnson must take this as a clear message: there is no consensus in Parliament about his disregard for the rule of law and the UK’s international standing. “Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Government to account and work across party lines to protect the UK’s interests.”

21Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

“Overpromising but underdelivering” on testing will damage public trust in Government

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports that the R rate has risen to between 1.1 and 1.4 in the UK, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “Figures showing the rapid spread of COVID will cause untold worry to families across the UK. Many will be disheartened to see the return of necessary restrictions on their daily lives. "We were promised a "world-beating" test and trace system to prevent a second wave. Instead we've seen a chaotic system, beset with shortages and unable to reach large numbers of close contacts. "We need rapid action to scale up testing once again, in a sustainable way, and to ensure resilience in the test and trace system as a whole. If Ministers keep over promising but underdelivering, they will continue to lose the trust of…

21Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: PM must protect lives and livelihoods ahead of second wave

Parliamentary news

Responding to the Prime Minister's comments that the United Kingdom is "now seeing a second wave" of COVID-19, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “People will be incredibly worried following the Prime Minister's comments confirming the UK is heading towards a second wave of coronavirus. “Boris Johnson must now take immediate steps to improve our failing test and trace system as an urgent priority. It is also vital Ministers ensure the NHS is prepared, with health and care workers having access to all the PPE they need. “With further disruption to people's businesses and livelihoods ahead, those who have been excluded from support or received very little will be especially anxious. Now is the time for the Government to make more economic support available by extending the furlough…