27Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Schools opening in January: Parents need clear plan not empty promises

Schools opening in January: Parents need clear plan not empty promises

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to set out a clear plan to keep schools open in January. It comes following reports in the Sunday Times that Boris Johnson has committed to keeping schools open, without making clear what mitigation measures will be put in place to keep Covid cases down. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: "Our children have been failed again and again throughout this pandemic by Boris Johnson's government. Of course schools should stay open but he needs to explain how and with what help for teachers and parents. "From air purifiers to rolling out the vaccine to teenagers, this government has dragged its feet. Ministers must set out a clear plan to reassure families that schools will be kept open, instead of…
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23Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader ‘delighted’ Queen’s portraits on display for Platinum Jubilee year

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has received an early Christmas present – confirmation that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait will be on display at the Civic Centre by the start of HM’s Platinum Jubilee year in 2022. In late October, Councillor Sykes wrote to the Council Leader and Chief Executive asking for portraits to be displayed in the Council Chamber and at the Civic Entrance Reception, and he is ‘delighted’ that his request has now been agreed to. Commenting on the good news, Councillor Sykes said: “Our Queen is both our country’s longest reigning monarch and our ultimate public servant, having for seventy years served this nation faithfully as Head of State. In 2022, we will have the opportunity to celebrate this achievement and to give…
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23Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Bring back volunteering leave scheme to help booster rollout

Bring back volunteering leave scheme to help booster rollout

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have demanded the government urgently introduce an Emergency Volunteering Leave scheme, to allow people to take paid time off work to help with the booster rollout and support the NHS over the Christmas period. The proposed scheme would allow people to take between two and four weeks of unpaid leave to help with the vaccine rollout, taking on roles such as vaccinators, stewards and administrative staff. The Government would have to compensate volunteers for loss of earnings and other expenses, such as travel and food. A law that would have enabled an Emergency Volunteering Leave scheme was scrapped by the government in July 2021, after ministers claimed there was “sufficient current supply of staff and volunteers in the health and care system.” The Liberal Democrats said it…
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23Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Boundary Park re-listed as Asset of Community Value

Boundary Park re-listed as Asset of Community Value

Borough news
After several months of procedural delays, Boundary Park has again been listed as an Asset of Community Value, with Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation getting it successfully added to the listings. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who has been working with the Foundation to get the status for the ground said: “It is a great relief for the listing to go through. It’s by no means perfect protection, but with the previous listing due to expire in the New Year even that protection has been under threat. It has taken several months of chasing to ensure that it has been renewed.” The listing, which covers Boundary Park and the Little Wembley training ground, means that the owner cannot sell the ground without notifying the Council, and puts a set time…
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23Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sajid Javid must guarantee emergency care over Christmas period

Sajid Javid must guarantee emergency care over Christmas period

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on Health Secretary Sajid Javid to guarantee that everyone will be able to access the emergency care they need over the festive period, and provide a rescue plan to support A&E services. It comes amid concerns over the crippling staff shortages in the NHS with the Royal College of Physicians warning one in ten doctors are already off with Covid. The Christmas period is often one of the busiest times of year for A&Es, but hospitals are facing even more pressure this year as the surge in the Omicron variant means thousands of staff are set to be absent. Ambulance services which were already on their highest level of alert are also struggling with the impact of staff being off with Covid. Liberal Democrat Health…
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21Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Australia trade deal to cause £94m blow to British farmers and fishermen

Australia trade deal to cause £94m blow to British farmers and fishermen

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have warned that farmers are being “sold down the river” by the Conservatives, after it emerged the government's own impact assessment found the Australia deal will cause a £94m hit to the farming and fishing industries. The Department for International Trade’s impact assessment of the agreement, published alongside the final text of the trade deal on 17 December 2021, refers to “a reallocation of resources away from agriculture, forestry and fishing” of £94 million. There is also an expected £225 million hit to the semi-processed food sector, such as tinned foods. The report also warns of “adjustment costs for affected sectors, businesses and employees” as well as the loss of jobs. The impact assessment refers to Australia as a “large, competitive producer of agricultural products”, making clear…
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21Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Hospitality fund reaction: Insult to pubs and restaurants on the brink

Hospitality fund reaction: Insult to pubs and restaurants on the brink

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Chancellor announcing a new package of support for hospitality businesses, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "This is an insult to pubs and restaurants on the brink. The Chancellor must be living on another planet if he thinks this will be enough to save hospitality firms who have seen their Christmas bookings fall off the cliff in recent weeks. "It is simply far too little, too late for too few. "The Conservatives have buried themselves in their bunker, trying to save themselves rather than save the country from an economic crisis which is hitting family run businesses the hardest. This miserable offering will do nothing to reboot our economy and will fail to save thousands of independent businesses. "Instead of this feeble one off grant,…
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21Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Article 16: Truss repeating mistakes of Frost

Article 16: Truss repeating mistakes of Frost

Parliamentary news
Responding to the readout of Liz Truss’ first call with Maros Sefcovic, which claimed that 'the UK position has not changed' and reiterated threats to trigger Article 16, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP commented: “When this brief was given to the Foreign Secretary, we hoped it was time for a more diplomatic approach. Instead, it’s like Lord Frost never left. Triggering Article 16 will only lead to a ruinous trade war - harming British businesses just at the moment when they need support. “The reality is that Truss cares more about her reputation with the Tory party faithful than she does about what’s in Britain’s interest. The Conservative leadership contest psychodrama is only just beginning.”
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19Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ministers must come clean on Omicron and Christmas

Ministers must come clean on Omicron and Christmas

Parliamentary news
Commenting ahead of the Cabinet meeting this afternoon to discuss the Omicron variant, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “In light of the dire warnings from the BMA, the Government must come clean with the public about what Omicron means for Christmas. "Ministers must act now to protect NHS staff and ensure that urgent NHS services are available to everyone over the Christmas period. The Government should explain what additional public health protections are needed to bring the NHS back from the brink of collapse, and urgently get support to struggling businesses. “Everyone wants to have a safe Christmas with their family. But they also want to be confident the Government has a clear plan to protect our NHS and ensure emergency care remains available to all those…
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19Dec 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Frost resignation: The rats are fleeing Boris Johnson’s sinking ship

Frost resignation: The rats are fleeing Boris Johnson’s sinking ship

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports Lord Frost has resigned from the government, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “This shock resignation is a sign of the chaos and confusion at the heart of this Conservative government. "The rats are fleeing Boris Johnson's sinking ship as he lurches from crisis to crisis. "Even the prime minister's once loyal supporters are now abandoning him, just as lifelong Conservative voters are switching in their droves to the Liberal Democrats. “At a time we need strong leadership to get us through the pandemic, we instead have a weak prime minister who has lost the support of his allies and the trust of the British people.”
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