News – Page 138 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

14Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Rise in discrimination towards BAME people since lockdown must be tackled

Responding to a University College London study that found BAME groups were most likely to report facing discrimination since lockdown began, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Everyone should be free to live their lives without fear of discrimination, abuse or violence. Reports that Black, Asian and minority ethnic people have been most likely to experience discrimination since lockdown began is deeply alarming. “All of us with a public platform must stand up to those whose language and actions spread hate – whether based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or anything else. "The Home Secretary must step up and tackle this appalling trend head-on. That work must be part of a wider effort to tackle systemic racial inequality, which is why the Liberal Democrats are calling…

14Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must compensate people forced to miss work in order to quarantine

Parliamentary news

Responding to news that people arriving in the UK from France and a number of other countries will have to quarantine for 14 days from 04:00 Saturday 15 August, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “It's right that the Government is taking steps to minimise the risk of COVID-19 by updating the 'travel corridor' as the situation overseas evolves. "However, the Foreign Office must acknowledge the significant disruption and disappointment this will cause. All impacted customers must have the chance to reschedule or be offered a full refund, and the Government must underwrite these commitments. "Ministers must also get real about the financial pressures on those forced to choose between obeying the quarantine rules and going out to work, and agree to compensate people who will lose out…

14Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

£400 million Brownfield Fund ‘welcome but not enough’, says Liberal Democrat Leader

Borough news

“Welcome, but not enough” says the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, in response to the recent Government’s announcement that £400 million will be made available to Mayoral Combined Authority areas, such as Greater Manchester, through a new Brownfield Fund. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “As the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group adamantly favours building new homes on brownfield sites, and as we have previously called on this government to provide the cash to do this, it would be churlish of me not to welcome any announcement of government money to make this happen, but we have yet to see how much of this money comes to Oldham and in any case Oldham’s share will not be nearly enough.” Councillor…

14Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Water help for customers affected by Covid-19 welcomed by Lib Dems

Borough news, Campaigns

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the renewal of financial support by regional water supplier United Utilities for Oldham customers suffering financially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Councillor Sykes said: “At this time of rising unemployment and financial uncertainty, many people in Oldham will be struggling to meet their bills. Any help from utility companies to ease their budget is very welcome. “The Oldham Liberal Democrats have always been concerned about poverty issues in our borough. We have campaigned on food, fuel, period and, most recently, clothing poverty and over five years ago we raised the issue of water poverty in a motion we took to a meeting of the full council in July 2015. “Liberal Democrat…

14Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call on Williamson to resign in the face of grades chaos

Parliamentary news

Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran has described Gavin Williamson as "out of his depth" and said that he must go in the wake of yesterday's "shambolic" grade outcomes. Moran's push for Williamson to resign follows criticism of the Secretary of State's errors through the COVID-19 crisis, from the failure to ensure disadvantaged pupils had access to remote learning devices to botched efforts to open schools more widely before the pandemic was under control. The Party are calling for all pupils to have a right to appeal their grade awards with no charge, and the chance to sit the examinations at the earliest possible date at no cost. They are further demanding that the Government urge universities to be lenient in admissions requirements. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “The shambolic handling of…

13Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Millions of EU citizens living with uncertainty must be given right to stay

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to grant EU citizens the automatic right to stay in the UK, with the physical proof they need, as new Home Office figures reveal thousands are being refused and millions are still awaiting a final decision. The latest EU Settlement Scheme statistics, published this morning, reveal 4,600 people have been refused Settled Status, while 1,475,500 have only been granted temporary ‘Pre-Settled Status’ and 212,400 are still waiting for a decision. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “For far too long, millions of EU citizens in the UK have been living under a cloud of uncertainty. Boris Johnson cannot be allowed to continue to break his promise to them. “With so many people being refused Settled Status, granted only temporary ‘Pre-Settled…

13Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Appeals process critical to ensure grade awards do not “derail” students’ futures

Parliamentary news

Responding to news that in England 36% of A-level entries have been awarded a lower grade than teachers predicted and 3% were down two grades, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: "Congratulations to every A-level student who is receiving their grade awards today. This cohort have shown real resilience during this very difficult time and should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. "However, too many young people are rightly worried that their futures are being derailed by the Government’s botched grading system. This day will understandably have brought anxiety and disappointment for some. "Pupils must have the chance to appeal their grades directly and to present evidence that reflects their performance and progress at no cost. Ministers must also provide clear guidance on how re-sits will work…

13Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Record NHS waiting lists point to another health crisis, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news

Responding to official statistics publishing this morning which reveal that NHS England waiting lists are the longest since records began, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “Waiting times were at a record high before the pandemic and now, alongside worryingly low cancer referrals, they are through the roof. There is another health crisis looming in the UK and people will be rightly worried for their loved ones. “With our health and care services facing an almighty backlog, we need urgent action. The Government must step up with a clear plan on how people will get the treatment they need, including an urgent recruitment strategy, or risk more lives being lost."

13Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Promise of special council meeting on Labour’s green belt homes plan welcomed

Borough news, Campaigns

The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed confirmation from the Leader of Oldham Council that a special meeting of the full Council will be called with a one-item agenda to discuss Labour’s green belt homes plan, called the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, and its impact on the Oldham Borough. Responding to a letter sent from Councillor Sykes 22 July asking once more if such a meeting would be convened soon, and when, the Leader has replied in writing confirming that ‘an extraordinary meeting of the full council (will be held) with a single item agenda to discuss the plans, and that it will take place as an addition to this year’s council meeting cycle’. The Council…

12Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Using mock exams won’t resolve grade award crisis

Parliamentary news

Responding to the Government's announcement of a so-called "triple lock" on this year's grade awards, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Young people are rightly worried that their futures are being derailed by a botched grading system. Ministers have long been warned to take extra steps to make sure pupils are not unfairly penalised, but using mock examination results won't resolve this. "Given that there is no consistent approach to mock examinations across schools, this could be more of a barrier than a benefit for many pupils. Had Ministers consulted teachers they would have known this. Pupils deserve better. "Pupils must have the chance to appeal their grades directly at no cost, and to present evidence that reflects their performance and progress to date. Ministers must also be crystal…