02Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Levelling up: Yet another of Boris Johnson’s empty slogans

Levelling up: Yet another of Boris Johnson’s empty slogans

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's new levelling up plan, Liberal Democrat Communities and Local Government Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: "These promises will ring hollow in communities that have been neglected by the Conservatives for decades. “Families are facing a cost of living crisis and Tory tax hikes are just months away. They need support now, not rhetoric about far off targets in 2030. "The Government has failed to invest in some of the most deprived regions, in catch up funding for our children and in faster broadband for rural areas. "Levelling up has been exposed as yet another of Boris Johnson's empty slogans."
Read More
26Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's claim that the Conservative Government will "do everything in our power to make sure no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays", Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Boris Johnson's claim does not ring true given his hard-hearted refusal to u-turn on free school meals. "The idea that other measures will make up for the lack of provision just won't wash - people know the real struggles that families are enduring. That is why so many communities and businesses have stepped in to provide support while this callous Government stands by. "The Liberal Democrats want to see a firm commitment from the Conservatives not only to extending free school meals through holiday periods, but also expanding eligibility to ensure any child from…
Read More
29Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must act now on National Food Strategy recommendations

Parliamentary news
Responding to the National Food Strategy review suggesting that free school meals should be extended to every household receiving Universal Credit, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:  “The Government must waste no time in acting on these recommendations. We know that giving school children a hot, healthy meal at lunchtime greatly improves their health, behaviour and results.  “The Liberal Democrats are proud to have introduced free school meals in government and have long been calling for them to be extended to more pupils. “We need to invest in giving every child the best start in life as we come out of this crisis."
Read More
10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must take charge and ensure deprived children aren’t left behind

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on Boris Johnson to take charge of the crisis facing schools and ensure disadvantaged children are not left behind, accusing Gavin Williamson of having “dropped the ball." It comes after the former Head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, this morningsaid the Government’s failure to consult with teachers over its plans was “absolutely astonishing.” Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Parents and teachers have raised concerns from the outset about how to get pupils safely back into school, but Gavin Williamson has refused to listen. It’s no surprise this whole process has descended into a complete shambles. “Time and again the Education Secretary has dropped the ball, from refusing to extend free school meals over the summer to leaving thousands of disadvantaged children without laptops. “Boris…
Read More
01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Borough, hit hard by Covid-19, will now gets less cash

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition leader on Oldham Council, is appalled at a shocking new study, which shows the areas worst hit by Covid-19 will now receive some of the largest cuts in Government support.   Oldham Borough is in the top ten Councils worst hit by the virus.  More than £100 million of public money has been diverted away from councils in the bottom half of the English deprivation index.  Oldham Borough is unfortunately one of those council areas. Conservative run areas are not receiving funding cuts in the same way.  Many believe this is a sly political move by Boris Johnson and the Conservatives.  Oldham Borough will now not receive £1.1 million diverted monies.  Councillor Sykes said: “The cash was supposed to…
Read More
01May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

COVID-19 impact on deprived areas shows Government must act on shameful inequalities

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that new data from the ONS shows "people living in more deprived areas have experienced COVID-19 mortality rates more than double those living in less deprived areas", Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This awful virus has wrought havoc on lives across the UK, but it's clear that those worst affected are people already living in some of the most deprived areas of the country. Those who were already vulnerable are being hit hardest. This is no coincidence. This postcode lottery of morbidity is shameful and must not be tolerated. “Many of those key workers most at risk - people on the frontlines, keeping supermarkets stocked, delivering our essentials and ensuring hospitals can stay up and running through this crisis - are also in…
Read More
25Oct 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Shock study shows Oldham Council losing war against deprivation

Borough news, Campaigns
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE says there is one league table Oldham do not want to rise up the ranks of which is the Indices of Deprivation.  A recent report by the Government, the Indices of Deprivation 2019 (IoD 2019) provides very detailed information on how well an area is doing.  This assessment is based on income, employment, education, health, crime, housing and living environment.  In terms of a real change, Oldham Borough has slid backwards and is not improving.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Sykes is demanding better from the Council in the work that must be done on local deprivation.  Oldham Borough has risen from the 27th most deprived local authority in England to the 16th most deprived area.  This is in only four years (2015 to 2019).  Oldham Borough is in the…
Read More