economy – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

15Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Inflation: Perfect storm facing families and businesses

Responding to new figures which show that inflation has hit 5.1% - its highest level in a decade - Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "Families and businesses are facing the perfect storm this winter as inflation soars and Covid surges. "Boris Johnson cannot stand idly by while the cost of living crisis forces people to choose between eating and heating. "The Conservatives must offer hope to families this Christmas, starting by scrapping their unfair and manifesto-breaking tax rise coming in next year. "We also need an urgent package of support for cafés, pubs and restaurants on the brink before more livelihoods are lost."

19Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

HGV drivers: Chronic shortage stifles our economy

Parliamentary news

Responding to the latest ONS figures on HGV driver vacancies, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport Sarah Olney MP said: "These figures reveal the chronic shortage of HGV drivers that is stifling our economy, and the government's utter failure to address it. "We are seeing supermarket shelves going empty and shops warning of shortages of toys at Christmas. "But still Conservative ministers are refusing to drop their damaging rules which make it hard to recruit HGV drivers from abroad. "Handing out temporary visas for a few months is not going to solve this issue. If Boris Johnson really wants to save Christmas, he should allow businesses to permanently recruit the skilled staff from abroad that they need."

01Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Furlough wind down a “dereliction of duty”

Parliamentary news

Thousands of businesses are facing uncertainty as furlough begins to wind down and the business rates holiday ends, while restrictions remain in place. Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine warned: "How are businesses supposed to have confidence in a Government that promised to do whatever it takes, but is withdrawing support too soon? Now thousands of businesses are being left facing reduced support while still unable to operate fully to pay their bills. "This gap before the next possible lifting of restrictions could be crucial for many of them. "Bounce back loans are creating an extra burden and the Government needs to come up with a way of making that easier to repay. “Liberal Democrats warned the Government to think about business needs when restrictions were extended, but the Chancellor’s…

12Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Brexit trade & GDP: Livelihoods are being ruined

Parliamentary news

Responding to ONS figures showing UK goods exports to the European Union fell by 40.7% and the UK economy has shrunk by 2.9%, Treasury Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, Christine Jardine MP, said: “These figures are disastrous. Businesses, jobs and livelihoods are being ruined and this botched, unnecessary Brexit deal just makes everything worse. "The Chancellor needs to come up with the long-awaited long term strategy now. We need the big and bold action to save our economy. The budget was a missed opportunity and time is fast running out to save our economy before its too late. The Government cannot continue to blame this on the pandemic. The blame lies solely at their door." “It is small businesses, already on the brink after months of lockdown, which will be…

21Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must stop playing politics with lives and livelihoods

Parliamentary news

Responding to the Prime Minister's announcement that Manchester will face tier 3 restrictions from Friday, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The utter mess the Government has created today came as a result of a shameful plan to wipe millions of pounds of support away as a punishment. This Government is hurting some of the most vulnerable people in our society by playing politics with the lives and livelihoods of the people of Greater Manchester. “People across the country will be watching in alarm, under no illusion that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor will not be there for them to ensure they can financially survive the coming months. “Boris Johnson must swallow his pride and bring back furlough and give communities the funds they need to survive…

23Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must extend support to protect local jobs, Lib Dems warn

Borough news, Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to continue furlough support until it is safe and extend support to those who have so far been excluded by the Government. Acting leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP, who is asking the public to join the party's campaign to protect workers, warned that the Government must not "undo the work and threaten mass unemployment." According to government statistics published this week, 32,000 of people in Oldham have benefited from the job retention scheme. Government statistics also show a further 8,900 people in Oldham are receiving financial support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, following a successful campaign by the Liberal Democrats. However, the party has warned some of the worst hit are the country's self-employed workers, three million of whom…

08May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must act to stop mass redundancies in critical moment for our economy

Parliamentary news

Responding to Bank of England forecasts which show the UK economy could shrink by 14% this year, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This is a critical time for our economy. The number one economic priority is avoiding mass redundancies by extending the furlough scheme. Businesses must have the time and space to recover. Jobs and business support schemes cannot be removed too early or completely. “Without Government action, jobs could be lost on a massive scale and the economy could spiral. “The Government must also take immediate steps to extend the Brexit transition period. Uncertainty over our relationship with our closest trading partner will hurt the economy even more. Risking the UK leaving transition with no deal is unbelievably irresponsible. “We must above all keep people…

12Apr 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats seek Council support for Shaw economy in advance of Shop Direct closure

Borough news

Following the shock announcement that Shop Direct will be closing its Shaw depot in 2020, the Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group, Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has contacted senior Oldham Council officers seeking reassurance that the Council will offer a full range of support services to local businesses who lose trade, as well as local employees who lose their jobs, as a result of the proposed closure. Shaw and Crompton councillors were informed via email by Shop Direct of their intentions at 12.00 hours on Wednesday 11th April 2018. Councillor Sykes; speaking on behalf of all the Liberal Democrat Councillors for Shaw and Crompton; said: “This will have a serious impact on Oldham’s economy, particularly in Shaw and Crompton. Shop Direct is estimated to employ,…