21Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
1m children not in school: Education crisis worsening by the day

1m children not in school: Education crisis worsening by the day

Parliamentary news
Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and parent of a child told to stay at home due to covid rules, has responded to news that 1 million children are currently not attending school. She said: "We are in the midst of an education crisis which is worsening by the day. "As a parent myself with a child told to stay at home right now, I know how tough it is when the dreaded text from school arrives. "Behind this number are children without laptops, untold impacts on their mental health and parents forced to stay at home instead of working. "The Prime Minister needs to act today on this if schools are to return in Autumn. He must act without delay to protect millions of children's mental health…
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21Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Oldham Liberal Democrats back campaign to end Summer holiday hunger

Oldham Liberal Democrats back campaign to end Summer holiday hunger

Borough news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Councillors have backed a call from the National Education Union to the government to end school summer holiday hunger. The councillors have co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister seeking the return of a special payment to poorer families of £15 per week for each child normally in receipt of means-tested free school meals. This is to provide families with extra food to compensate them for the loss of free school meals for that child during the summer holidays. Commenting, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said: “Last year, the government finally listened to the many voices, including ours, calling for an end to kids going hungry over the summer and did the decent thing by introducing this payment whilst Britain was in the grip of the COVID pandemic.…
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21Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
NI Protocol: Government “taking us all for mugs”

NI Protocol: Government “taking us all for mugs”

Parliamentary news
Reacting to Lord Frost's statement on the NI Protocol, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs and Northern Ireland Alistair Carmichael MP said: "This is a joke. The Government is taking us all for mugs when they say this mess could not have been predicted. They signed up to the Protocol knowing full well businesses would be caught up in a game of political football. It is time to get a grip and sort it out. "Their confrontational attitude will get us nowhere. Instead, they must focus on working together with the EU to help those people caught in the middle of it all. "The reality is that a solution to the Protocol’s problems is on the table by aligning with animal and food standards, which is what businesses want. That…
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21Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Former Very Site – Planning application – Shaw

Former Very Site – Planning application – Shaw

Borough news
Oldham Council Planning Committee will consider an ‘all matters reserved’ application with regards to the proposal to build 400 houses on the former Very site on Thursday 22nd July 2021 which will purely look at access to the site from both the Beal Lane and Linney Lane entrances, Shaw. The application is recommended for approval by Oldham Council Planning Department based on a report by Highway Engineers. Councillor Howard Sykes, Liberal Democrat Councillor for the Shaw Ward said: “there are very mixed views in relation to the development of the site for housing. Whilst most welcome the use of the site for housing as an alternative to building on green space we also recognise that an increase in housing will bring additional pressures to Shaw not only on the roads,…
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15Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Health & Care Bill: Power-grab does nothing for Care

Health & Care Bill: Power-grab does nothing for Care

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Second Reading of the Health and Care bill, which will reorganise the NHS and hand more powers to the Health Secretary, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: "The Government are kidding themselves if they think reorganising the NHS is a simple and straightforward task. With well over five million people now waiting for medical treatment, including 16,000 people suffering with cancer, and the pandemic being far from over, now is not the time to embark on a major and disruptive restructuring of the NHS. “This is not only the wrong time for this Bill but it makes barely any mention of reform to social care. Every year thousands of vulnerable people lie stranded in hospitals long after they could have been discharged because there is…
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14Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ten years on from Dilnot, Tories have Done ‘Nowt’ about social care

Ten years on from Dilnot, Tories have Done ‘Nowt’ about social care

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Ten years on after the Dilnot Report made recommendations to fairly and properly fund social care, the Conservative Government has still woefully failed to act in the face of a worsening underfunding crisis. Oldham Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, is dismayed that after a decade of inaction under Tory ministers Britain’s elderly and most vulnerable people in receipt of care still face a future of anxiety and uncertainty. “Whilst in the recent Queen’s speech contained just nine words about social care and no more money,” laments Councillor Sykes. “The Dilnot Report was published on 4 July 2011 during the Coalition Government. It sought a commitment that Dilnot would be delivered, but the commitment was soon ditched once the Tories ruled alone." Councillor Sykes added: “The Prime Minister…
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14Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Davey on aid cut: Broken promise will switch off Blue Wall voters in droves

Davey on aid cut: Broken promise will switch off Blue Wall voters in droves

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government winning a vote to abandon its commitment on international development spending, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP said: "Boris Johnson has just switched off millions of Conservative voters by callously breaking his promise and abandoning millions of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our world. "It's decisions like this that will make millions of voters, especially in the Blue Wall, move away from the Conservatives in droves. This Conservative Government has lost touch with the values of our country. "Their unlawful tests for aid spending are the height of cynicism - as they were designed never to be met. The 0.7% target has been jettisoned as a result, and the law broken yet again by this Prime Minister. “This Johnson cut is costing…
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14Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Firebombing of Cllr Arooj Shah’s car – leader of Oldham Council

Borough news
This attack is appalling. It is a frightening attack on an individual, but it is also demonstrates the threat to people in public life and stops decent people from being involved in it. This cannot be allowed to continue, and not only must we stop this criminal attack, but also the abusive approach that has been too much of the politics in Oldham recently, and the UK, in recent years. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, with respect, and with fairness. Abuse and “dog-whistle” politics can have no part in our society. This is a time when we must stand together. If you are a decent, fair-minded person, you must stand up against this appalling attack, and defend the values of our country – honesty, decency and fairness. Statement…
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13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GM Mayor says Police report to remain secret until ‘appropriate’ to publish it

GM Mayor says Police report to remain secret until ‘appropriate’ to publish it

Borough news
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE is ‘disappointed’ to hear that the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham does not intend to publish a report he commissioned about the failings of Greater Manchester Police until it is deemed ‘appropriate’. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “This report was paid for with public money to identify the failings of a public service also paid for with public money, so my view is the sooner it is in the public domain the better. I am glad that the Mayor has at least finally responded (after a reminder), but this is a letter which says nothing, gives no real promises and sets no deadline as to when this report will see the light of day. “The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group will continue to…
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13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Councillor welcomes police reaction on Alexandra Park

Councillor welcomes police reaction on Alexandra Park

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillor Dave Murphy has welcomed the police reaction to his concerns over ongoing criminal behaviour in Alexandra Park, despite Labour disputing that there was a problem. The police have launched a dedicated response – Operation Fasica – with high visibility patrols in the area, and a dedicated resource in Alexandra Park. Councillor Murphy said: “I am glad that the police have stepped up and taken my concerns about criminal behaviour seriously, and not just issued a knee-jerk rebuttal. “Alexandra Park is a wonderful resource for our community, and I want to make sure that everyone in Oldham is able to use it safely, and without worrying about this kind of behaviour. “I want to thank the police teams for their commitment to making our parks safer, friendlier, and…
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