10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Air passenger duty: Odd one out at COP26

Air passenger duty: Odd one out at COP26

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports the Government plans to cut air passenger duty on UK domestic flights, Sarah Olney MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Business, Trade, and Transport, said: “Britain will be laughed at on the world stage if we decide to hike rail fares then cut the cost of UK air travel in the same month. At a time when other countries are encouraging more people to take trains, Britain’s strategy will be the complete opposite. We will be the odd one out at our very own COP26 summit. “It speaks volumes about this Government’s green credentials, that it’s determined to find creative solutions to cut the costs of taking internal flights yet shows no desire to help rail passengers who get hit with annual price hikes. “Any help for aviation…
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10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Labour axe health centres but carry on spending another £68M on Spindles

Labour axe health centres but carry on spending another £68M on Spindles

Borough news
Labour in Oldham voted against the construction of three health centres in Shaw & Crompton, Chadderton and Saddleworth, while voting to carry on spending more than £68 million on the renovation of Spindles shopping centre in the next five years. Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “During the council meeting, there was a very emotive speech by one of the Labour councillors about being unable to put money towards health centres while there was hunger in the borough. I don’t understand why that doesn’t apply when it comes to spending on shopping centres.” The £68.3 million spending is in addition to the original purchase price for the centre, which was more than £10 million. Councillor Al-Hamdani continued: “Regeneration of the town centre is vital. We need to have ambitious plans…
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09Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Give school leavers an optional extra year

Give school leavers an optional extra year

Parliamentary news
Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education, has written to the Secretary of State for Education asking that he sets out proposals for a "Spring Forward" year of an optional fully-funded year of education for 17 to 18-year-olds who have missed out during the pandemic. "Unlike younger students, they do not have years ahead of them in school to gradually make up for the months of in-person teaching time they have lost during the last two academic years," the letter states. "So it is particularly urgent that you set out proposals to ensure they are not put at a disadvantage as they take their next steps in education, training or into the world of work. "As students return to school from 8 March, we are asking you to make…
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09Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Domestic Abuse Bill: Lib Dems fighting to protect and support survivors

Domestic Abuse Bill: Lib Dems fighting to protect and support survivors

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill as it starts Report Stage at the House of Lords on International Women's Day. The amendments, which will be debated over the three days of report stage, include: Calling for priority school places for children who are forced to change schools as a result of domestic abuse.Ensuring children who have had to move due to domestic abuse do not receive delays to their NHS treatment.Requiring the Secretary of State to issue a code of practice designed to ensure that people affected by domestic abuse who are workers receive appropriate care and support from their employer. Lib Dem Peers will also support key cross-party amendments, including increased protection for migrant women who are survivors of domestic abuse. Baroness Lorely Burt, who…
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08Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Leaked aid cuts make mockery of Global Britain

Leaked aid cuts make mockery of Global Britain

Parliamentary news
Responding to leaked plans that reveal the full extent of cuts to foreign aid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and International Development Layla Moran said: “For many vulnerable people around the world, the UK’s development spending has made the difference between life and death, and it stands as a testament to the best of British values. These shocking revelations are just a preview of what’s to come and tell us everything we need to know about the Government’s priorities. “The Conservative Government’s short-sighted budget slashing not only breaks their promise to the British people and the world’s poorest, but makes a mockery of their global ambitions and our reputation on the world stage. How can we claim to be leaders when we’re cutting humanitarian aid so drastically to countries…
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08Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Protect Crompton Moor and other Green Spaces call from local Liberal Democrat Councillor

Protect Crompton Moor and other Green Spaces call from local Liberal Democrat Councillor

Borough news
Crompton Moor may have featured recently on a BBC Countryfile programme as a place of beauty and wonderment, but Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor and Chair of Crompton Moor Users Group, Howard Sykes MBE, is concerned that the protection of the moor and our borough’s other much-loved open spaces is threatened by the Council’s failure to properly publicise the local orders that prevent irresponsible behaviour. Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) allow local authorities to proscribe certain types of behaviour, imposing financial penalties upon those offenders who choose to ignore them. On moorland, a PSPO would typically prohibit the lighting of fires, the use of Chinese lanterns and irresponsible cycling and motor-cycling other than on certain defined routes, and place certain restrictions on dog-walking, hunting and dog fouling They are intended to…
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08Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Free Nazanin or face sanctions, Govt must tell Iran

Free Nazanin or face sanctions, Govt must tell Iran

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been released but faces a new court date in Iran, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and International Development Layla Moran said: "Nazanin should be coming home to her family today. It is completely unacceptable that the Iranian Government is suddenly finding new trumped up charges to bring against her in order to hold her hostage. "The Foreign Secretary must make it clear that if Nazanin is sentenced a second time, the UK Government will impose Magnitsky sanctions. This is a crucial week to secure Nazanin's freedom. Strong words must be backed by the threat of real action if the Iranian authorities do not do the right thing. "Nazanin has been unlawfully held for five years, and the UK Government must do…
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05Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
NHS staff deserve real-terms pay rise

NHS staff deserve real-terms pay rise

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care Munira Wilson MP is calling for a real-terms pay rise for NHS workers after going above and beyond in a national crisis: “A real-terms pay cut is an insult to all the NHS workers who have gone above and beyond during this time of national crisis. They are burned out, traumatised, and stressed after over a year caring for hundreds of thousands of severely ill Covid patients. On top of this, they have worked tirelessly to get as many people vaccinated as efficiently and as safely as possible. "Many of us and our loved ones have seen first-hand the hard work and sacrifice that NHS staff have made - not only nurses, but everyone who has kept our hospitals and clinics running.…
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05Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
‘Leaving our nature be is best plan for recovery’, says Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader

‘Leaving our nature be is best plan for recovery’, says Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader

Borough news
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is consulting the public on its proposed Nature Recovery Plan with a closing date for responses of 7 March. Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is encouraging local people to respond; in the meantime, he has some sage words of advice ‘leave our nature be!’ Councillor Sykes is dismayed by the fact that the consultation is being conducted by the same authority that is responsible for the failed Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and is now developing a new Places for Everyone plan for the nine Greater Manchester authorities, eight Labour-led and one-Conservative, which remain wedded to rolling out a series of large-scale housing schemes on green belt sites throughout the city-region. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “Our natural environment, whether a local park, a green…
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04Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Oldham Council Tax bills still 2nd highest in region, despite Labour boast

Oldham Council Tax bills still 2nd highest in region, despite Labour boast

Borough news
Oldham’s Labour Cabinet may claim that the proposed 2.99% rise is the lowest in Greater Manchester, but residents still face the second highest Council Tax bills in the city region. Of the ten local authorities, the Oldham Liberal Democrats have identified that only Labour-run Stockport presented a higher Council Tax bill to residents in 2020. Oldham’s bill for a Band D property was £1,678 compared to Stockport’s £1,691. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “In these difficult economic times, when we are all counting the pennies, Oldham Council Tax payers will, I am sure, be glad that bills will go up by 2.99% this year rather than the 5% that is permitted without a referendum, but this is small comfort when bills are already so high to begin with. “That is…
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