13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Give firms right to require face masks worn by customers

Give firms right to require face masks worn by customers

Parliamentary news
Following the Government's update on plans to ease restrictions on 19th July, the Liberal Democrats have called on businesses to be given the legal right to require customers to wear face masks on their premises. Sarah Olney MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Business, has heard from businesses who want to protect young staff who have not received their second jab, and those who are clinically vulnerable, by ensuring face masks are worn by customers. Writing to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy*, Sarah Olney MP said: "Since the Secretary of State for Health and the Prime Minister updated the country on plans to ease restrictions, business owners have watched as different Ministers give a different answer each day on guidance for face masks in public spaces.…
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13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Aid cuts vote: Tory broken promise is “un-British”

Aid cuts vote: Tory broken promise is “un-British”

Parliamentary news
Commenting ahead of the vote in Parliament on cuts to the international aid budget, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for International Development, Layla Moran MP, said: “Britain made a promise to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. Going back on our word would be thoroughly un-British and a stain on our global reputation for decades to come. “The consequences of this aid cut are devastating - sick children will no longer receive aid, girls will lose their right to go to school, and some of the most essential projects for ending the generational cycle of poverty will be slashed. “Liberal Democrats welcome the Government’s decision to allow a vote on the cut, which will open the door to a return to meeting Britain's promise. But today’s announcement is a…
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11Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Domestic abuse victims to get priority for council accommodation

Domestic abuse victims to get priority for council accommodation

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
Victims of violence in the home are to get automatically prioritised for council accommodation following a changes to the law in the Domestic Abuse Act. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani has welcome the changes, saying that it is a “clear move to provide support for victims, and simple, practical improvements to help people get away from abusers”. Previously, victims had to be separately assessed as being ‘vulnerable’ as a result of domestic abuse to be identified as having a priority need. Now, domestic abuse will be a standalone reason for qualifying. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “It’s terrifying to know how many people are victims of this. There are over 400 cases a month reported across the UK, and this is known to be a massively underreported crime. “How would you…
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09Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrat Leader seeks true cost to Council Tax payers of shopping centre purchase

Liberal Democrat Leader seeks true cost to Council Tax payers of shopping centre purchase

Borough news
‘What did it cost us?’ Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Real Opposition on Oldham Council wants an answer to that question in connection with the recent purchase of the Spindles and Town Square Shopping Centres. Councillor Sykes has submitted a request under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to Deputy Chief Executive Helen Lockwood and Director of Finance Anne Ryans in order to drill down to the final bill for Oldham’s Council Tax payers. “Different figures have been bandied about in Council meetings and in media reports. I would like to know what the final bill is, and I am sure that our long-suffering ratepayers want to know too,” said Councillor Sykes. “The final bill is not just the agreed purchase price…
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07Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

New Parish Councillor vows to make a difference for the community

Borough news
Mick Scholes, selected as Parish Councillor for Springhead Lower with cross-party support, is looking forward to working with local residents to make a difference for Saddleworth. Following the retirement of Richard Darlington, who was forced to step down following serious health problems, he has taken on the role until the next parish council elections in two years time. He said: "I shall continue Richard's work, not only as a fellow lifelong environmentalist, but in supporting those in need of extra care and support, who he also championed. "I look forward to working hard to help deliver the Liberal Democrat aim of becoming carbon neutral as both a Council and across the Parish, and co-operating with all groups and individuals who strive to achieve a better, open and tolerant Saddleworth where all…
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07Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Priti Patel’s Anti-Refugee Bill is “cruel and counterproductive”

Priti Patel’s Anti-Refugee Bill is “cruel and counterproductive”

Parliamentary news
Responding to the publication of the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill today, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “This Anti-Refugee Bill is a truly nasty piece of legislation from a Conservative Government that is ripping up the UK’s proud tradition of providing sanctuary to refugees. “We need to fix our asylum system, combat the criminal gangs who profit from trafficking and smuggling, and stop people from making dangerous attempts to cross the Channel. “Priti Patel’s proposals will do nothing to help. In fact, the Anti-Refugee Bill will make those problems worse. It will add even more delay, increasing the Home Office’s already huge backlog. And it will play into the hands of human traffickers, by making it harder for their victims to come forward and get the…
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06Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Building Safety Crisis: Inquiry into Government’s mishandling needed

Parliamentary news
Today there will be a vote in Parliament on establishing an independent inquiry into the Government’s mishandling of the cladding scandal. Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper MP, will put forward a Ten Minute Rule Motion for MPs to vote on this afternoon. It follows the passing of the Fire Safety Bill in April, which failed to provide vital protection for leaseholders and tenants against the costs of remediation. Ms Cooper will call for the inquiry to focus on three areas in particular: The Government’s failures to dateThe faulty design of the Building Safety FundThe gaping hole between the Prime Minister’s promises and his Government’s actions Ahead of her speech in the House of Commons today, Daisy Cooper MP said: “After the Grenfell tragedy, the Conservative Government said…
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05Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
New disabled parking spots for residents

New disabled parking spots for residents

Borough news
The wait is finally over for 30 fortunate families who will be getting disabled parking spots in the next twelve months, some of whom have been waiting for years. Officers confirmed the decision this week, after years wrangling over funding, and lengthy delays while new qualifying criteria were eventually produced. Mark Kenyon, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Grotton, Springhead & Lees, took up the cause after being contacted by a frustrated resident over a year ago and has led a campaign to provide disabled parking bays. Councillor Kenyon said: “Despite welcoming the decision by this council to provide these 30 spaces, I’m also incensed that there’s at least another 30 families who have missed out. A disabled parking spot is not a perk to be won in a council lottery, it’s…
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05Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM has turned away from the scientific advice before and it ended in terrible consequences

PM has turned away from the scientific advice before and it ended in terrible consequences

Parliamentary news
Responding to the press conference by the Prime Minister in Downing Street, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Ed Davey said: “I hope that Boris Johnson’s desire to remove restrictions in a few weeks is driven by the national interest and not because his backbenchers are getting restless. “The Prime Minister has turned away from the scientific advice before and it ended in terrible consequences for our country. This time he must make it clear that the experts agree that ending restrictions on 19th July is the right move. “Everyone wants the Covid restrictions to end desperately. But lifting restrictions, then seeing cases and hospitalisations skyrocket is not an ending of the crisis.”
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02Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
More than 500,000 EU citizens still waiting for Settled Status

More than 500,000 EU citizens still waiting for Settled Status

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to guarantee that no EU citizen without Settled Status will fall victim to the Hostile Environment, as new figures show that more than half a million people were still waiting for a decision on their application when the deadline hit on Wednesday. The statistics, published today by the Home Office, show that, as of 30th June, 6,015,400 people had applied to the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme, but only 5,446,300 cases had been concluded – meaning there are 569,100 people still waiting for a decision. The backlog grew by 70% in June alone, as more than 400,000 people applied in the last month before the deadline, while the Home Office only handed out 175,000 decisions. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs…
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