30Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats welcome continued progress on electricity bill

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats are delighted to see the Local Electricity Bill continue to gain momentum in Parliament, as the issue once more comes up for discussion (30 November). Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors put forward a motion to Council (July 2020) favouring the Local Electricity Bill, which received cross-party support and was agreed. Now the bill will feature as part of the ‘Empowering Community Energy Schemes’ Adjournment debate in Parliament on Tuesday 30th November at 2.30pm. Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE also used the opportunity of the recent COP26 climate change conference to write to newly appointed Energy Minister Greg Hands MP asking for the government’s support for the measure. “It is great to see Parliament once more debating this bill”, said councillor Sykes. “The Local Electricity Bill will…
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29Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Further delays to CSE report ‘a breakdown of trust’

Further delays to CSE report ‘a breakdown of trust’

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
The news that the independent report into child sex exploitation (CSE) in Oldham has been delayed until the new year is “further undermining the trust that needs to be rebuilt” according to Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani. GM Mayor Andy Burnham has announced that the report will now be released in the week commencing January 24, citing both delays with Queen’s Counsel Advice, and the wishes of victims of CSE not to release the report in the run up to Christmas. Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “The most important people in the whole process are the survivors of violence, and I absolutely respect their wishes not to see the report published at this time of year. “What I then question is why we had been told previously that the report would…
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29Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM must stop sale of vaccine manufacturing centre

PM must stop sale of vaccine manufacturing centre

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have demanded that Boris Johnson immediately steps in to halt the sale of the Vaccine Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Harwell near Oxford, describing the move as "short-sighted penny pinching." It was reported this morning that the centre is being sold off to recoup some of the money invested by the Government. On a visit to the centre last year, Boris Johnson claimed that the new vaccine centre “will be able to manufacture enough vaccine doses for the whole UK population… which would transform how we beat this virus and prepare for future pandemics." Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Boris Johnson must immediately step in and stop the sale of the Vaccine Manufacturing Innovation Centre, and reassure the public that the Government isn’t cutting back…
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29Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Omicron variant: Clinically Extremely Vulnerable must not be ignored any longer

Omicron variant: Clinically Extremely Vulnerable must not be ignored any longer

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for urgent measures to support the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV), including a formal return and improvement of the shielding programme.The Government has so far failed to announce any specific measures for those who were classed as CEV in spite of their increased risk of serious illness from Covid. It comes after two cases of the newly discovered ‘Omicron’ variant of Covid were reported in the UK. The Liberal Democrats are calling for a five-point action plan to support the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable. This would include the return of official centralised guidance, so that the 3.8 million vulnerable people on the ‘Shielded Patient List’ have clarity on what is safe for them to do and where to seek the tailored clinical advice and support they need.…
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27Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GP Shortages: Only 4-in-10 able to get same-day appointment

GP Shortages: Only 4-in-10 able to get same-day appointment

Parliamentary news
Only four in ten (40.3%) of people were able to get a same-day appointment with their GP in October, a two-year low, NHS figures published this morning have revealed. Meanwhile over one in four (28.8%) people had to wait eight days or more for an appointment, the highest level since before the pandemic in February 2020. The Liberal Democrats said the figures showed the government must urgently fix the GP recruitment crisis, and warned that delays to GP appointments are piling more pressure on A&Es ahead of a difficult winter. It comes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid admitted on Sunday that the government is not on course to meet its target of recruiting 6,000 more GPs by 2025. Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “People…
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27Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Nick Fletcher’s Dr Who comments straight out of the 1950s

Nick Fletcher’s Dr Who comments straight out of the 1950s

Parliamentary news
Responding to Conservative MP Nick Fletcher's comments today suggesting Doctor Who being played by a woman may have pushed young men into crime, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: "It seems Nick Fletcher has stepped into the TARDIS and taken a trip back to the 1950s, where his attitude belongs. “The Conservatives are so desperate to pass the buck for their failure to tackle crime and keep our communities safe that they’re even blaming Doctor Who. "This baseless assertion would be laughable if it wasn't so harmful. There are plenty of positive role models for young children regardless of gender."
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27Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Prognosis for new health centre for Shaw and Crompton looks promising

Prognosis for new health centre for Shaw and Crompton looks promising

Borough news
“Best Christmas present ever if it happens,” is how local Liberal Democrat Shaw councillor Howard Sykes described the plan for a new health centre for the district. Shaw and Crompton councillors have been informed that a new health centre for Shaw and Crompton now looks possible by March 2023, but only if certain imminent deadlines are met. Local councillors have been fighting for a new health centre for local patients for many years, being increasing concerned local people are missing out and disadvantaged. Shaw Councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader Howard Sykes MBE said: “The current health centre is clearly no longer fit for purpose and we are in desperate need of a replacement modern facility. Shaw and Crompton residents have found it frustrating that, whilst their neighbours in Royton…
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27Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
French Minister cancels talks: Johnson’s Twitter diplomacy has backfired

French Minister cancels talks: Johnson’s Twitter diplomacy has backfired

Parliamentary news
Responding to France's interior minister cancelling talks with Priti Patel following Boris Johnson's letter last night, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: "Boris Johnson's Twitter diplomacy has backfired, after yet again he put chasing headlines ahead of finding solutions. "At a time we need competence and strong leadership to tackle this crisis, the prime minister has shown he is not up to the task. “Neither Boris Johnson’s tweets nor the French Government cancelling talks will solve this problem. We need grown-up leadership on both sides of the Channel to tackle this crisis and put saving lives over political posturing."
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27Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must reverse £30m aid cuts to Southern Africa to help tackle new variant

Government must reverse £30m aid cuts to Southern Africa to help tackle new variant

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have demanded that the government reverse aid cuts and launch an emergency Covid support fund, to help countries in Southern Africa contain the new variant spreading there. Analysis by the Liberal Democrats has found that the UK is slashing aid to Southern Africa and Zimbabwe by £30m next year, or by over a third (35%), a move the party described as “cruel and short-sighted.” In addition to this, UK aid spending on global health funding has been slashed by £243 million, from over £1.1 billion to 915 million, a 21% drop. The proposed package would include: Immediately reversing UK aid cuts to Southern African countries and global health funding, with a focus on supporting local healthcare systemsSetting up and improving systems to track and sequence variants in…
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25Nov 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Channel crossings: Government must rule out dangerous ‘pushback’ tactics

Channel crossings: Government must rule out dangerous ‘pushback’ tactics

Parliamentary news
Responding to Immigration Minister Kevin Foster’s refusal to rule out using 'pushback' tactics to turn back small boats in the Channel, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “It is disgraceful that the government is even considering pushing boats back in the Channel after yesterday’s tragic news. “Priti Patel must immediately rule out these dangerous and cruel pushback tactics which don’t work and could cause yet more unnecessary deaths. “The government’s incompetence and failure to get to grips with this crisis has led us to the hearbteaking situation we find ourselves in. Instead of yet more unworkable gimmicks, ministers must now focus on providing safe and legal routes to take refugees out of the grip of smugglers and traffickers.”
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