Sam Al-Hamdani – Page 110 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

27Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Foreign aid cuts expose what the Tories really think

Responding to the news that the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office aid budget is to be cut by over 25%, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “These deep cuts to aid spending are incredibly concerning. The Foreign Secretary has assured us of the Government's priorities, but I just don't see how we can continue to deliver for the world's poorest if FCDO's aid budget allocation alone is being cut by over 25% compared to 2019/20. "These cuts tell us what the Conservatives really think, and the lack of any detail on how these decisions were made and what they mean for programmes and initiatives is troubling. In the middle of a global pandemic we need to be stepping up and leading internationally to help the world build…

27Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Transport bosses decide free Wi-fi no longer an option for Metrolink

Borough news

Transport bosses have confirmed they have decided to scrap free wi-fi on Metrolink permanently as a cost-saving option, despite the objections of Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE. The issue was discussed on Friday 22 January at a meeting of the Rail and Metrolink Committee of the Transport for Greater Manchester Board at the request of Councillor Sykes, who sits on the Committee and Board as an Oldham representative. Councillor Sykes also represents Shaw Ward, which is located on the busiest Metrolink tram service and has the most used stop – Shaw and Crompton – on the Rochdale–Oldham line. In July 2020, in response to complaints from constituents who use the tram, he raised that the Wi-fi service had not been available on trams on the line since the onset…

26Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Sunak must not leave job creation to last minute

Parliamentary news

Responding to the latest unemployment figures from the ONS, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury Christine Jardine said:“Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak untold damage in the lives of millions of people, none of whom should be left to fight this crisis alone. “Mass unemployment poses a huge threat to families across the UK and the Chancellor must recognise that and immediately extend the safety net of the £20-per-week uplift to Universal Credit. But more than that we him to launch a large scale, comprehensive job creation drive– starting with fixing the shambolic Kickstart Scheme. “Rishi Sunak must show that he has abandoned his last-minute approach to support measures and take decisive action in the March budget, before even more working families pay the price.”

26Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

100,000 COVID deaths a “dark day for our country”

Parliamentary news

Responding to the news that more than 100,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, said: “The death of over 100,000 people with coronavirus is a dark day for our country. Loss on this scale can seem almost too great to get our heads around but we must never forget that each of these people has left behind family, friends and neighbours. Thoughts and prayers are needed for all those left behind but alone that will not get us through this pandemic. "Liberal Democrats called for a public inquiry into the pandemic over six months ago. Just this week the Prime Minister said it was 'not sensible' to hold an inquiry now. But now is precisely the right time if we are…

25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Conservative changes leave local development stuck between a rock and a green place

Borough news, Parliamentary news

Conservative changes to planning targets will force Manchester to build an extra 35% more houses than had been planned, which seems likely to increase the pressure on green spaces in and around Oldham and Saddleworth. Following the withdrawal of Stockport from the Greater Manchester development plan, the remaining nine authorities are redrawing the plan, and there is no indication that the other boroughs will be able to avoid taking a share of the additional housing demand. Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness Sam Al-Hamdani said: “The targets being set are completely unrealistic. There need to either be significant changes to fund the regeneration of previously used land, or local authorities need the powers to insist developers cannot build on green spaces while brownfield sites remain. “The previous…

25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Covid delays highlight severity of waiting list crisis

Borough news

Further delays to healthcare access have demonstrated the massive crisis facing our healthcare system, due to underfunding. Waiting times for referrals have increased by in many cases another six months. For children waiting for referrals to an orthodontist, this means that children are waiting up to two and a half years to be referred for specialist treatment. Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “For a young child, two and a half years feels like forever. How would you feel as a parent if that was how long you were asked to keep a child waiting for treatment? “The impact of Covid-19 is huge, and will have impacts in many directions. Right now, we are faced with painful choices about schools remaining open, and children’s healthcare is also critical. Waiting times…

25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Flood approach in Saddleworth questioned by Liberal Democrats

Borough news

The Liberal Democrats on Saddleworth Parish Council are asking for straight answers on flooding from Oldham Borough Council. With the winter storms upon us, flooding issues are a pressing concern for Saddleworth residents. The group have requested answers on a range of flooding issues and their impact on planning decisions. They have asked the Borough Council to provide proof that their approach to cleaning drains and gullies works, given the conditions faced in Saddleworth; for the information that OMBC is using to check the impact of housebuilding in Saddleworth on flooding; and how they’re keeping an eye on locations which flood frequently, and what measures they use to address them. Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “This is such a concern to people in Saddleworth, and we want to see…

25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

EU ambassador must be granted full diplomatic status

Parliamentary news

Responding to FCO Minister Lord Armad's answer to Baroness Ludford's urgent question on the diplomatic status of the EU's ambassador, senior Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Ludford said: “This is not some arcane spat about a dusty diplomatic convention. It is about whether the Prime Minister and his government are prepared to treat the new EU partnership with the seriousness it deserves, or whether they are pandering to the right-wingers in their party before the interests of the UK. "Up and down the country, businesses and individuals are drowning under the weight and expense of red tape that Mr Johnson’s botched Brexit deal has dumped on them. To get any flexibility or easing of that burden will require cooperation with the EU. Signalling to Brussels that their man in London is…

25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Schools short-changed on ‘Covid-safe’ costs by Conservative Government

Saddleworth News

The Conservative Government will only reimburse less than one-third of the overall costs incurred by English schools in making their premises ‘Covid-safe’ according to a publication published last month by a leading education think-tank. A report issued by the Education Policy Institute claims that government money made available through its exceptional costs fund will only cover 31% of overall costs, and in a survey covering 700 schools conducted in November, over half (57%) reported that they are using reserves to cover the shortfall, jeopardising their ability to achieve a balanced budget by the end of the current financial year. The EPI estimates that, since the first national lockdown in March 2020, primary schools have had to meet additional non-staff costs averaging almost £13,000. These amounted to almost £18,000 for special…

25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats seek ‘rolling’ criminal records checks for all Councillors

Borough news, CSE, Parliamentary news

Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors want to see ‘rolling’ criminal records checks introduced for all elected members as part of an ongoing campaign to improve safeguarding and reassure the public. The Liberal Democrats have previously called on the government to bar Councillors from office, or standing for office, if they are convicted of an offence requiring them to sign the Sex Offenders Register. They have also asked the government to tighten up existing legislation to ensure that all persons in a ‘position of trust’ who are currently exempted, such as sports coaches, cannot lawfully engage in sexual activity with a young person in their care. At present, all Oldham Councillors must apply for an enhanced criminal record check at the start of every four-year term of office. This is vetted by…

Author: Sam Al-Hamdani