18Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Fishing anger should be no surprise – Carmichael

Fishing anger should be no surprise – Carmichael

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael, has said there should be “no surprise” that seafood exporters have taken to the streets to protest against the disruption they are facing. Dozens of HGVs have been reported around Whitehall in London demonstrating against the blockages they are facing in trade with the EU. Some reports suggest that protestors intend to dump unsellable seafood cargo in the streets. Commenting on the protests, Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland Alistair Carmichael said: “I suspect that it will be a pleasant change for these lorry drivers to be able to drive instead of sitting waiting in a depot or at a port somewhere. It should be no surprise to anyone in Whitehall that our seafood exporters are angry. That anger will…
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18Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
On the wrong track: cuts to Northern rail investment condemned

On the wrong track: cuts to Northern rail investment condemned

Borough news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats have condemned the Conservative Government for once more derailing plans for significant investment in Northern rail services. The government has decided that Transport for the North will lose 40% of its core funding, down from £6 million from £10 million, and a fifth of its total annual support, in the next financial year. The Department of Transport has also cancelled plans to introduce contactless ticketing, like London’s Oyster card system, across the North of England. For Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrat Group, who also serves as one of Oldham’s representatives on the board of Transport for Greater Manchester, the latest news is a significant blow. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “Whilst the London Crossrail project receives ever more government funding, Northern rail…
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18Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM must clear up the fishing mess he has created

PM must clear up the fishing mess he has created

Parliamentary news
Responding to Dominc Raab's comments on The Andrew Marr Show regarding Scottish fishing, Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland Alistair Carmichael said: “It’s hard to find a Minister who will admit to having even sat down and read the trade deal. Brexit might be a game to the likes of Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson but for thousands of people in Scotland this is their business and their livelihood on the line. The Government needs to get a grip now. “Fishermen are telling the PM that his deal did not do any of the things he claimed for it, let alone what he had promised. The harder the Tories spin, the angrier fishing communities get. The Government needs to start listening to the people who know what they are…
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18Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Shaw residents urged to have their say over Shaw ASDA 24-hour delivery plan

Borough news
Residents have contacted Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillors after receiving notification that Asda in Shaw has submitted plans for 24-hour goods deliveries to be made to the site, via Dawn Street, which is located at the opposite side of the site to the public entrance. This is not the first time that Asda have attempted to obtain planning permission to make deliveries 24 hours a day, but previous applications have been refused because of the noise and disturbance that would be caused to Dawn Street, Duke Street, Eastway residents who live immediately adjacent to the access point. Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Everyone will be aware that ASDA Shaw is very busy and we all recognise that deliveries have to be made to replenish the store, but these should take…
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18Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Universal Credit must be extended to carers

Universal Credit must be extended to carers

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the increase in Universal Credit to be extended to anyone caring for a friend, family member or neighbour who cannot cope without their support. On Monday, MPs in Parliament will vote on a motion to scrap the planned £1000 cut in Universal Credit. Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain MP is pushing for an amendment which would see unpaid carers as well as others who rely on ‘legacy’ benefits to be awarded the increase too. Over 900,000 people across the country rely on carers allowance of less than £70 a week, the lowest paid benefit of its kind. Many struggle to make ends meet, often relying on foodbanks for themselves as well as those they care for. Liberal Democrats have led the…
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15Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Supreme Court ruling is a lifeline for small businesses

Supreme Court ruling is a lifeline for small businesses

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that a Supreme Court ruling is set to force insurers to pay out on disputed coronavirus claims Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Business, said: “This is an excellent result and will provide a lifeline for many small businesses who have been plagued with worry and financial hardship throughout this pandemic. "Businesses across the UK paid out thousands of pounds in premiums only to be let down by insurance companies when they needed to claim. "Now they will finally be able to get the money they deserve and are entitled to."
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15Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Police database blunder is a ‘fiasco’

Police database blunder is a ‘fiasco’

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the news that 150,000 records were accidentally deleted from the Police National Computer, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs Alistair Carmichael, said: “People will rightly be alarmed that a blunder on this scale is even possible. The Home Secretary must take responsibility and come forward to explain exactly what went wrong, how it went wrong, and what she is doing to make sure it never happens again. “It’s already the case that far too many crimes go unsolved and too many criminals are never identified. This fiasco risks making our communities less safe and the police’s job even harder, at a time when they are already under enormous pressure. “Instead of spending her time coming up with ever crueller and more impractical asylum policies, Priti Patel should focus…
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15Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
South America travel ban necessary but too slow – Olney

South America travel ban necessary but too slow – Olney

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the Government's announcement of a South American travel ban, Sarah Olney MP , Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport said: “The Government’s South America travel ban is a necessary step and one that the Liberal Democrats had already called for. “The coronavirus pandemic has been going on for more than a year, yet time and time again the Conservative Government is too slow to act. Whether it is travel bans, testing at airports or even the national lockdown itself, Government inaction is allowing the virus to spread further and faster. “The UK is still not requiring testing prior to travel to the UK, as recommended by the APPG on coronavirus. Countries across the world have proved this to be effective, the UK Government should follow their lead.”
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14Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Farcical travel rules put lives at risk

Farcical travel rules put lives at risk

Parliamentary news
Lib Dems are calling on the Government to act more decisively on travel restrictions after a worrying new strain of coronavirus was discovered in Brazil. Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport, said: “Once again it seems the Conservatives have missed the opportunity to help stem the spread of Covid-19. "They've delayed action on cutting travel between the UK and South America, risking the arrival of the new variant. Brazil has already stopped flights from the UK arriving there. "And we are still not requiring testing prior to travel to the UK, as recommended by the APPG on coronavirus. Countries across the world have proved this to be effective, the UK Government should follow their lead. "The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Conservatives to take quick decisive action to…
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14Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Parliamentary news
In response to the news that schools will not be providing free meals during February half term, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education Daisy Cooper, said: “This is the second time this week that hungry children have been let-down: first it was the shocking photos of free school meal packs, and now there is more confusion over how children will access a meal during February half term, which will leave parents despairing. "After so much public outcry over free school meals, people won’t understand why struggling families are still having to fight the government for their kids to have just one decent meal a day. "The Government must do the right thing and make a 'no ifs no buts' commitment: whether a child is in school or at home, or whether…
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