26Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems demand windfall tax on fossil fuel companies to support households this winter

Lib Dems demand windfall tax on fossil fuel companies to support households this winter

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Leader and former Energy Secretary Ed Davey has called for a windfall tax on gas producers profiting from record high prices, to help pay for support to struggling households and businesses this winter. Gas prices have risen from 56p/therm during the first half of the year to 150p/therm and are now reaching 300p/therm. Over the past five years natural gas prices had never reached 100p/therm. Serica Energy, a North Sea gas company responsible for 5% of the UK supply, have already stated they expect “significant returns” due to the increase. Share prices in Sercia have surged from 156p per share at the end of August, to 232p on Wednesday. Meanwhile, households and businesses are struggling with higher bills. The energy regulator, Ofgem, increased the energy price cap by…
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13Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
UK not prepared for winter health pressures

UK not prepared for winter health pressures

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Royal College of Physicians findings that one in three doctors say their organisation is not prepared for winter, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “Health and care staff find themselves facing a huge backlog of care and record waiting times as they head into this winter. These stark figures show just how many are feeling burned out, overstretched, and deeply concerned about their ability to cope. “The fact that one-in-three doctors have concerns about the upcoming winter shows that the Government is not providing enough support to those working on the front lines. This is not only letting down staff, but letting down patients too. “We urgently need a long-term workforce plan to ensure that health and social care providers are both…
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Covid winter plan: PM must guarantee schools will stay open

Covid winter plan: PM must guarantee schools will stay open

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on Boris Johnson to give a “cast-iron guarantee” to parents that schools will not be shut again as part of the Government’s Covid winter plan, after the chaos of the last year which saw pupils miss out on 33 million days of schooling. The Liberal Democrats are also calling for more funding to ensure schools can stay open safely as Covid cases rise, including to improve ventilation and install an air purifier in every classroom. The Government still refuses to fund these vital safety measures, and instead suggested children learn outside in the cold during the winter months. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “Our children have been failed by the Conservatives throughout this pandemic. Pupils have missed out on millions of days of vital…
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01Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government meetings must produce results for families over the festive season

Government meetings must produce results for families over the festive season

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the UK Government will hold meetings to try to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “It is welcome that the governments of the four nations are listening to the Liberal Democrats' calls. With so many families desperate to be back together this festive season, we simply cannot allow political bickering and fractured guidance to confuse and divide people. “These meetings must be more than just a publicity stunt. They must result in comprehensive uniform guidance for family gatherings, as well as a common approach to transport, student return and asymptomatic testing - and it must happen urgently. “Ultimately, if we are to both keep people safe and ensure families have any chance of spending…
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31Oct 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader welcomes extra funding to help tackle Winter Health Crisis

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition, has welcomed the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, that over £1 million in extra money will be provided to Oldham this winter to help patients get home quicker from hospital after medical treatment and improve care that might prevent them being admitted to hospital in the first place.  Mr Hancock recently announced that Oldham will be receiving £1,122,354 in extra winter funding. Commenting Councillor Sykes said:  “Any extra funding from government to help support adult social care at the time of year when there is the greatest demand must be welcomed.  I am sure patients would much rather have more support to be discharged so…
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