News – Page 132 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

21Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ministers must put energy into fixing test and trace to “get a grip” on virus

Following today's briefing from Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, warning of "significant rates of transmission" of coronavirus in parts of the UK, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "People right across the country will be alarmed to hear that, despite the heartbreaking sacrifices of these past six months, we are now facing a second wave of this dreadful virus. It's clear that there will be difficult times ahead. "There is no excuse for the fact that our test and trace system has been barely functional for weeks. Rather than talking up their "moonshot" plans for future testing, Ministers should be putting all their energy into getting the system sorted right now to get a grip on the virus. "Equally, given the…

16Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Bill introduced to restore scrutiny of international aid

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have secured cross-party support for a Bill being introduced which would create a new select committee to scrutinise Overseas Development Assistance expenditure by the Government. The move, supported by former International Development Committee Sarah Champion and former DFID Minister Harriett Baldwin, follows the Prime Minister's decision to abolish the Department for International Aid and rumours the Chancellor now intends to scrap foreign aid. Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain, who is bringing in the Bill, has stressed the need to ensure “that where UK aid is delivered, it delivers”. In recent weeks, the Government has confirmed plans to axe a £12.5m project to cut teen pregnancy and sexual violence in Rwanda while £4.8m of the aid budget was shifted “to strengthen global supply chains” of supermarket giants including…

16Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrats pour scorn on PM’s Marshal Plan

Borough news, Parliamentary news

The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group is sceptical about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recent announcement that an ‘army’ of marshals will be deployed to police Covid-19 compliance amongst Britain’s businesses and their customers as the Conservative Government will not back the plan with new cash to local authorities to employ them nor grant the new marshals’ additional powers for enforcement. Responding to the news, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Regrettably, this posse will be more Deputy Dawg than Wyatt Earp. For after sounding tough and decisive, the Prime Minister has once again regressed to type by saying that there be no money, no people, no powers and no training for local government to implement the so-called initiative. Clearly this announcement could be something taken straight out of…

16Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call for furlough extension as 9.8% of people claim Universal Credit in Oldham

Borough news, Campaigns, Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an extension of the Government’s furlough scheme until the jobs market is “ready to bounce back” in the wake of “staggering job losses” across the country. With 9.8% of people now relying on Universal Credit in Oldham, the Party claims that extending furlough would help “stop this crisis getting even worse” and protect jobs for the future. Despite the Chancellor promising last month to do “whatever it takes” to support households and businesses through the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has so far failed to agree a plan beyond the end of the furlough scheme on 31 October. The Liberal Democrats have also warned some of the worst hit are the country's self-employed workers, three million of which are still not covered…

16Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Staggering job losses show need to extend furlough

Parliamentary news

Responding to ONS figures showing that the economy shed 695,000 jobs between March and August this year, Liberal Democrat Economy Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “These staggering job losses are yet more evidence of why the Chancellor should be extending the furlough scheme, which has so far protected 10 million jobs, until the middle of next year. “People have a right to expect that their Government will stand by them in exactly the way that Rishi Sunak promised when he said he would “do whatever it takes. “The Liberal Democrats’ are clear that the Government must extend the furlough scheme until the jobs market is ready to bounce back."

16Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader says all’s not well with Health and Well-being Board

Borough news

Oldham Council’s Health and Well-being Board has failed to meet four times in the last twelve months, and Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, who is a member, is not impressed. Councillor Sykes has written to Board Chair, Councillor Jean Stretton, to point out this represents a serious democratic deficit especially when the Health and Well-being Board is charged with providing oversight to social care and NHS services. Councillor Sykes says that: “At a time when Oldham Borough is in the grip of an unprecedented health crisis, I cannot believe that the Board has no business – pressing or otherwise to consider.” His hope is that the Chair will agree that the Board should: “not be side-lined, meetings should be held, and the issues faced, addressed and debated.”

16Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats lambast Tories over three-year Social Care bill delay

Borough news

The Oldham Liberal Democrats have lambasted the Conservative Government for delaying once again their long-awaited proposals to overhaul the social care system. Details are not expected to now be released until the Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Autumn Statement at the earliest; this is scheduled for late November. The Conservatives first promised to publish a Green Paper on social care for public consultation in the summer of 2017. This is now more than three years behind schedule. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said: “This extra delay is yet another example of the prevarication shown by this uncaring Conservative Government in making policy about the future of our under-threat social care system. Due to consistent underfunding of local government and the National Health Service, the provision of quality care to…

16Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Extra step to improve safety at Dovestone

Borough news

There have been concerns over parking at Dovestone with extensive yellow lines implemented and enforcement action taking place. There has also been the use of BBQs which risk huge fires. Following discussions with the marshals, Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness has highlighted another concern. Councillor Garth Harkness said: “Last year I called for irresponsible people lighting BBQs on our moorlands to be hit in the pocket to be fined £1,000. Since then we have had a Public Protection Order introduced. While I think the fines are modest it is welcomed progress, as are the extensive yellow lines and the collaborative work done at Dovestone to help address the safety concerns. “There is also another problem which has emerged and that is motorists attempting a right turn when it is dangerous…

14Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Accepting rule of law appears optional for Ministers under Boris Johnson

Parliamentary news

Responding to the Lord Chancellor's comments on The Andrew Marr Show that he would resign “If I see the rule of law being broken in a way that I find unacceptable”, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “As Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland swore an oath to respect the rule of law. It is utterly appalling to see him shrug his shoulders like this when the Conservative Government is preparing to break it. It seems that under Boris Johnson, accepting the rule of law has become optional. “For the sake of the future of our country, Ministers must stop playing fast and loose with the rule of law. Far from protecting the national interest, Boris Johnson's Government seem content to see the UK's international reputation trashed. “The Liberal Democrats will…

11Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Long-term furlough extension essential to protect jobs

Parliamentary news

Responding to ONS figures showing that UK GDP grew by 6.6% in July 2020, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “We mustn’t let these figures disguise the fact that the economic crisis caused by coronavirus is far from over. As we approach winter, countless people are worrying about their jobs and livelihoods. “The current increase in COVID-19 cases means the danger of more restrictions and job losses is very real. The Government must announce a long-term extension to the furlough scheme into 2021 to protect jobs and begin to rebuild our economy. “And to be breaking international law and indulging in brinkmanship with the EU in the current economic climate is irresponsible and shows a recklessness with all our futures. The Prime Minister must immediately row back on plans…