14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sajid Javid fails to rule out closing schools again in future Covid lockdown

Sajid Javid fails to rule out closing schools again in future Covid lockdown

Parliamentary news
The Health Secretary Sajid Javid has today failed to rule out closing schools in any future lockdowns, after being challenged to do so in Parliament by the Liberal Democrats. The Government's Covid winter plan published today says that the "the nature of the virus means it is not possible to give guarantees,” adding that “more harmful economic and social restrictions would only be considered as a last resort.” Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “It is deeply concerning that the Covid winter plan keeps open the possibility of school closures, and that ministers have refused to rule them out. "Children have done everything asked for them during this pandemic, yet too often the impact on their education and mental health has been overlooked. “The Conservatives…
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government makes 10 U-turns on Covid passports in one year

Government makes 10 U-turns on Covid passports in one year

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to finally rule out the illiberal, anti-business vaccine passports once and for all after they were included as part of “Plan B” in the Coronavirus winter plan. The Liberal Democrats have also slammed the Government for flip-flopping 10 times on Covid passports from November 2020 to their latest announcement today. The winter plan states that in the event of a Covid surge, vaccine passports would be legally required at all nightclubs, indoor settings with 500 or more people, outdoor settings with 1000 or more people, and anywhere with 10,000 people or more. Commenting Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “It is time for the Conservatives to end their chaotic flip-flopping and rule out these illiberal, unworkable vaccine passports once…
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Leasehold Reform bill a ‘missed opportunity’ say Lib Dems

Leasehold Reform bill a ‘missed opportunity’ say Lib Dems

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have branded the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rents) bill a missed opportunity after amendments to look at greater financial support for leaseholders facing cladding issues were rejected. The proposed legislation, which has its third reading in the House of Lords today, was subject to a range of amendments at its second reading - including an amendment from Liberal Democrat peer Kath Pinnock. Her amendment aimed to ensure the bill looked at what could be done to better support leaseholders being left facing huge bills for fire remediation work to remove dangerous cladding. However the amendment was defeated after Conservative peers marshalled behind the Government, leaving the bill to advance without it. Commenting on the advancement of the bill, Liberal Democrat Lords Housing and Communities Spokesperson Baroness Kath Pinnock…
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
National Insurance tax hike risks breaking backbone of the economy

National Insurance tax hike risks breaking backbone of the economy

Parliamentary news
Speaking today in Parliament ahead of the vote on the government’s manifesto-breaking plans to increase National Insurance, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: “This is a jobs tax, but much worse than that it’s a tax on nurses who on average will pay an extra £270 more per year. It’s a tax on our teachers, police and care home workers. the very same people who have kept the country going throughout this pandemic. “It’s a tax that will disproportionately hit low earners, at a time families are already seeing their income squeezed by the pandemic. “This is the worst possible time to be hitting families and businesses with a crippling and unfair tax hike. “Instead of boosting hiring and spending, this will damage confidence and investment. The government…
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Councillor welcomes critical safety designs for Lees junction

Councillor welcomes critical safety designs for Lees junction

Borough news, road safety
Plans to improve safety at a dangerous junction in Lees have been welcomed by local Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani. The junction saw two fatal accidents in nine months, and the surrounding roads have been plagued with reports of drivers speeding – in particular on Dunham Street and Stamford Road.  Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “This has been traumatic for the family and friends of the people involved, and for the local residents, who have seen two such terrible accidents outside their houses.  “I am glad that so much effort is being put in to redesigning this junction by the highways team. It has long been a problem area, with an unusual legacy of criss-crossing junctions meeting on to a main road.” The initial designs involve a major reconfiguration of the junction, which…
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government’s shambolic trade policy damages British business

Government’s shambolic trade policy damages British business

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the Government announcing a delay to import checks, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Trade Sarah Olney MP said: “The Government’s 'independent trade policy' is in shambles. Utterly unable to secure the UK’s vital imports, the only solution to the supply chain crisis they could cobble together is to kick the can down the road. “British businesses and consumers need to have the certainty that their supply chains won’t get choked off and that they’ll continue to find all the products they need in the supermarket. “The Conservative government must urgently explain how they’ll avoid damaging shortages and price rises when import checks do come into force.”
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Covid winter plan: PM must guarantee schools will stay open

Covid winter plan: PM must guarantee schools will stay open

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on Boris Johnson to give a “cast-iron guarantee” to parents that schools will not be shut again as part of the Government’s Covid winter plan, after the chaos of the last year which saw pupils miss out on 33 million days of schooling. The Liberal Democrats are also calling for more funding to ensure schools can stay open safely as Covid cases rise, including to improve ventilation and install an air purifier in every classroom. The Government still refuses to fund these vital safety measures, and instead suggested children learn outside in the cold during the winter months. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “Our children have been failed by the Conservatives throughout this pandemic. Pupils have missed out on millions of days of vital…
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Job vacancies: Working families facing ‘triple whammy’

Job vacancies: Working families facing ‘triple whammy’

Borough news
Reacting to new figures which show job vacancies are at a record high, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "These figures reveal an unprecedented staffing crisis creating uncertainty for businesses all across the UK, and threatening to hurt our economic recovery. "At the same time, at the end of the month countless working families will be left worrying about putting food on the table as they face the triple whammy of furlough ending, the slashing of universal credit and the unfair National Insurance hike. “The Government can no longer ignore the unfolding crises in our economy hurting people and businesses. We need to see an extension of furlough, the Universal Credit uplifting made permanent, and urgent action to tackle staff shortages."
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14Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Govt tells MPs not to raise cases of people abandoned in Afghanistan

Govt tells MPs not to raise cases of people abandoned in Afghanistan

Parliamentary news
The Government has told MPs to stop taking up the cases of Afghan nationals who are still in the country and in need of help. In a letter to MPs, Home Office minister Victoria Atkins said that the Government will not be able “to respond to colleagues with specific updates on individuals” given the “deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.” MPs are being told by the Government to signpost individuals towards the Government’s resettlement schemes “rather than seek to pursue cases on their behalf.” Layla Moran MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, said: "The Conservatives have turned their back on vulnerable people desperate to flee the terror of the Taliban, and are now telling MPs we should give up trying to help them too. “It is utterly disgraceful. People are…
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13Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Working class must be part of equality strategy

Working class must be part of equality strategy

Borough news
Oldham’s Equality Strategy needs to do more to address the problems faced by working class people across the borough, according to the Oldham’s Liberal Democrats. The report, which was presented to full council at its September meeting [09/09/21], was broadly welcomed by the group for the many positive approaches it has taken, but some key changes were requested by the opposition group going forward – socioeconomic inequality, mental health issues, and the digital divide among them. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “Despite the delays, this report does an excellent job of addressing many problems that people in our borough face. “My primary concern is that it almost completely misses out socioeconomic inequalities. If you are working class, you are likely to have faced so many difficulties, whether that…
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