25Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Minimum wage rise: Nearly half lost to tax hike new analysis reveals

Minimum wage rise: Nearly half lost to tax hike new analysis reveals

Parliamentary news
Research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that a full-time worker paid the National Living Wage will see nearly half (44%) of the proposed increase wiped out before it even reaches their bank account due to tax and the increase in National Insurance. Currently, an employee working 40 hours a week and paid today’s National Living Wage of £8.91 an hour, takes home £16,264.50 - after income tax and the current rate of National Insurance (12%). Once the Government raises the National Living Wage to £9.50, and National Insurance to 13.25%, that worker will see their take home pay rise by £707 a year. However, if the Government hadn’t raised National Insurance, they would have seen their after-tax income increase by £835 instead. This means that they would have been…
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25Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lack of clarity on NHS funding an insult to millions waiting for treatment

Lack of clarity on NHS funding an insult to millions waiting for treatment

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have said the government’s decision to brief a Budget announcement on NHS funding to the media before Parliament is an "insult" to the millions of people desperate for answers on when they will get their treatment. Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper tabled an Urgent Question in Parliament today on the issue that was granted by the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. He warned ahead of the debate that the move was unacceptable and that the government “shouldn't try to run roughshod over this House". Speaking in response to Daisy Cooper’s question, Minister Edward Argar failed to provide clarity on where the funding was coming from and said that the details would have to wait until the Budget. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:…
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25Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Welcome news on cameras can benefit local community

Welcome news on cameras can benefit local community

Borough news
Funding seems to be on the horizon to provide a new speed camera in Grotton, with a much-delayed decision by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority finally being taken to provide funding for cameras across the region.  Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Alicia Marland has been pursuing the authority for over two years to get the speed camera in Grotton replaced. After hearing the news, she immediately contacted the officers responsible to find out when this will help deliver a new camera. Alicia said: "For many years the frequency of speeding vehicles on Oldham Road have been a great concern so local residents and I wanted to challenge why we had a camera but it wasn't in use. So, after my daughter was nearly knocked over by a speeding driver whilst using…
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25Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Residents relief after works ignored for three months

Residents relief after works ignored for three months

Borough news
David Sawford at the works Grotton residents have finally seen repairs completed on a collapsed section of road on the junction of Thornley Park Road and Station Lane, after local resident David Sawford and councillor Sam Al-Hamdani got together to highlight how long the works had been ignored. Three months after the works had been started, leaving a major hole in the road, nothing had happened, with United Utilities and Cadent Gas saying that the collapsed section of road had nothing to do with them, but no-one else picking up the baton. Finally, after they went to the press with the issue, the Council did pick it up, and within days the works had been completed. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “I’m glad that – finally – when…
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25Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats welcome second reading of new bill to bar sex offenders from public office

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence, Parliamentary news
Oldham Liberal Democrats have welcomed the second reading in Parliament (22 October 2021) of a new bill which would bar sexual offenders from seeking, or remaining in, elected public office. In July, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wrote to the Conservative MP for Mole Valley, Sir Paul Beresford, offering his support for the Local Government (Disqualification) Bill and providing his office with a comprehensive briefing on the current legal situation and options. The bill, now published, will on becoming law disbar anyone from standing or remaining in public office who is subject to a ‘notification requirement’ or ‘order’ relating to sexual offences. Current legislation only bars individuals who receive a custodial or suspended prison sentence of three months or more. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “Over the last…
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21Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must commit £15bn on education catch-up

Government must commit £15bn on education catch-up

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the Education Policy Institute's report, which says "significant, additional spending" is needed to help pupils recover lost learning, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Next week’s budget will be high stakes for our children’s futures. Rishi Sunak needs to step up so children aren’t left paying the price for the pandemic. "Lib Dems are demanding a no ifs, no buts commitment to stump up the £15 billion recommended by the government’s own catch-up tsar. "That must include the Liberal Democrat proposal for Catch-up Vouchers to empower parents and bring them into the heart of their child's education."
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21Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tory MPs refusal to wear masks in Commons “utter hypocrisy”

Tory MPs refusal to wear masks in Commons “utter hypocrisy”

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have said it is "utter hypocrisy" for Conservative MPs not to wear masks in the Commons, after the Health Secretary yesterday urged people to wear masks in crowded spaces. It comes after Conservative minister Edward Argar was pressed on the issue on the Today programme and said it was up to individual MPs to "reach their own views." Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: “It is utter hypocrisy that the public are rightfully being advised to wear masks while Conservative MPs refuse to do so. “The very same day that Sajid Javid was urging the public to take steps to protect themselves against the virus, Conservative MPs were laid across the green benches maskless and irresponsible. “Cases are skyrocketing and we are getting a feeling of groundhog…
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21Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Leaked climate report: Government must cancel oil drilling and Cumbria coal mine

Leaked climate report: Government must cancel oil drilling and Cumbria coal mine

Parliamentary news
Responding to the leaked documents revealing countries lobbying the UN to play down the impact of fossil fuels, Liberal Democrat Climate Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: "These leaks show the Conservatives have their work cut out for them if we're to get a good outcome from COP. It is vital the world moves away from fossil fuels, but it is hardly a shock that countries still dependent on them are trying to play down their significance. "But the Tories are supporting fossil fuel expansion too, from a new coal mine in Cumbria to expanding oil drilling in Surrey. The UK cannot tell other countries to transition away if we're still backing new projects on our doorstep. "Liberal Democrats want a successful COP, but without the cancellation of both these projects…
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19Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government new heating plan “kick in the teeth for families facing soaring bills”

Government new heating plan “kick in the teeth for families facing soaring bills”

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the Government's new low carbon heating announcement, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change Wera Hobhouse MP said: "These plans are a kick in the teeth for families across the country facing soaring energy bills this winter. "These proposals will do nothing to lift people out of fuel poverty and hardly make a dent in the emissions produced from homes. And they will help around just 1 in 300 homes, whilst millions of households face record high bills due to rising gas prices. “We urgently need an emergency programme of investment to better insulate our homes, cut emissions and end fuel poverty. Instead the government is delaying the inevitable while condemning millions to eye-watering bills for years to come.”
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19Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call for half term jab blitz due to 8000 classrooms sitting empty

Lib Dems call for half term jab blitz due to 8000 classrooms sitting empty

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for the Government to speed up the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines over half term after new Department for Education figures reveal over 216,000 pupils are absent from school for Covid-related reasons. The figures show infection rates in schools are rising at a concerning rate and this is having a huge impact on young people’s education - with 2.6% of pupils absent for covid-related reasons over the last two weeks. Across the UK schools are grappling with soaring case numbers, which has seen institutions like Eton bring in a wave of new strict measures, including social distancing and cancelling events, to prevent an outbreak of cases. The Liberal Democrats are calling for greater steps to be taken to protect our children’s education, including a £5bn Catch…
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