02Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

GM Pension fund must go green

Borough news
The Greater Manchester Pension Fund must divest from fossil fuels, not only to protect the planet, but to protect the pensions of thousands of people across the region. At the next full meeting of Oldham Council (Wednesday 14 July 2021), the Liberal Democrats will propose a motion to deliver exactly that. Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, who will be proposing the motion, said: “It is time the Greater Manchester Pension Fund did the right thing by our environment and pulled out the money invested in fossil fuel industries that massively contribute to global warming, and instead reinvest it in green technologies which do good.” The Fund is currently one of the biggest investors in fossil fuels with over £1.7 billion in the oil, coal and gas industries. “As an employer, Oldham Council…
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01Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrats seek action on nuisance pavement parking

Liberal Democrats seek action on nuisance pavement parking

Borough news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats are proposing the Council gets ready to tackle nuisance pavement parking by preparing now for future legislation. A motion has been tabled by Lib Dem councillors Dave Murphy and Chris Gloster for consideration at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (14 July 2021). The Department of Transport carried out a consultation about pavement parking that ended in November last year. It is expected that the government will soon give local councils new powers to tackle problem parking, and the Liberal Democrats want to be ready. Councillor Dave Murphy explained: “The government consulted about a range of ‘options for change’ in the way that pavement parking is regulated. We made clear in our response that we opposed a blanket ban on all pavement parking as this…
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01Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Hands off our Peak District National Park, say Liberal Democrats

Hands off our Peak District National Park, say Liberal Democrats

Borough news
Liberal Democrat councillors are determined to fight to keep control of the Peak District National Park in local hands after rumours of a takeover by Whitehall mandarins. Councillor Hazel Gloster is bringing a motion to the next meeting of Oldham Council (14 July 2021) calling for the Peak District National Park Authority to be retained, rather than abolished and absorbed into a new National Landscape Authority. This drastic action was recommended two years ago after the Glover Review, and Councillor Gloster has no doubt this will be a retrograde step. Councillor Gloster outlined her concerns: “At present, our local National Park is managed locally by an authority board with local representatives, including one Councillor from Oldham Council. If the authority is abolished there will be no accountability to local people…
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01Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Furlough wind down a “dereliction of duty”

Furlough wind down a “dereliction of duty”

Parliamentary news
Thousands of businesses are facing uncertainty as furlough begins to wind down and the business rates holiday ends, while restrictions remain in place. Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine warned: "How are businesses supposed to have confidence in a Government that promised to do whatever it takes, but is withdrawing support too soon? Now thousands of businesses are being left facing reduced support while still unable to operate fully to pay their bills. "This gap before the next possible lifting of restrictions could be crucial for many of them. "Bounce back loans are creating an extra burden and the Government needs to come up with a way of making that easier to repay. “Liberal Democrats warned the Government to think about business needs when restrictions were extended, but the Chancellor’s…
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30Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Touring Visas: Govt apathy is alarming

Touring Visas: Govt apathy is alarming

Parliamentary news
Reacting to evidence submitted by Lord Frost and Caroline Dinenage MP on EU visa arrangements for touring workers at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee today, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for DCMS Jamie Stone MP said: "Lord Frost's attitude of apathy today raises serious concerns about the way this Conservative Government is sacrificing people's jobs in favour of its anti-immigration ideology. As ever with the Tories, sorry seems to be the hardest word. “Our touring professionals have been devastated by this pandemic and are desperate for some clarity and reassurance on their ability to travel around Europe for work. But this Government's botched Brexit deal means that hope is but a candle in the wind. “Refusing to negotiate with the EU on visa waivers is a galling decision for thousands…
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29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
“Negligent” Government must do better with taxpayer’s money

“Negligent” Government must do better with taxpayer’s money

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the revelations from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that billions of pounds of taxpayers' money may have been lost in fraud from coronavirus support schemes, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Business and member of the PAC Sarah Olney MP said: "The PAC's revelations are eye-opening about the scale of the Government's failure to ensure that taxpayer money is directed to those that need it. "While it was essential that businesses and families were given support to get through this pandemic, the public still expect ministers to not be so negligent with their money. These are funds that could have gone to struggling people and small businesses. "As we attempt to recover from Covid, the Government should really pay closer attention to who they give our cash to, or they…
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29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Chancellor must fix ‘black hole’ in business support

Chancellor must fix ‘black hole’ in business support

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats have warned the Government that small businesses face a 'black hole' in support, risking thousands of closures and job losses. Furlough begins to taper away and the business rates holiday comes to an end on July 1st. However, restrictions are set to remain in place until 19th July. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Treasury, Christine Jardine MP said: "This Government seems incapable of hearing the many voices telling them loudly and clearly how desperately small businesses need support to help them cope with the extra period of restrictions, and beyond. "It is completely incomprehensible that the Chancellor is prepared to end so many of the support mechanisms before firms even have a chance to open their doors and start trading. "Why support them for this long and then not…
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29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Munira Wilson secures social care talks with Javid

Munira Wilson secures social care talks with Javid

Parliamentary news
Munira Wilson has secured a commitment from the new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, to meet to discuss social care reforms, as the Liberal Democrats continue to push for full cross-party talks on the issue. In the House of Commons, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care highlighted the tens of thousands of people who have died from Covid in care homes, as well as the 7 million carers who have seen their mental health worsen during the pandemic. She asked Javid for a meeting with herself and the party’s Leader Ed Davey to start cross-party work on social care reform, and the Health Secretary agreed. Following the exchange, she said: “We urgently need to build cross-party agreement on a long-term sustainable future for social care. “As things…
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29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
The addition of £25 million from the Home Office into the Safer Streets fund is an opportunity for Oldham to improve its work in schools to combat violence against women and girls, and combat public street harassment, says local Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani With the opportunity to bid for up to £550,000, Councillor Al-Hamdani has written to Oldham Council to ensure that they apply to run a programme later this year, such as introducing educational and community programmes across the Borough. Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “Oldham Council already pledged to support Our Streets Now’s work to improve education in schools to combat harassment, and it is vital that we take every opportunity to change the culture around violence and abuse.  “The release of the Ofsted review of sexual abuse emphasized…
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29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Sykes seeks to pay Royal homage in Oldham parks and gardens

Borough news
Rose varieties named after Her Majesty the Queen and her late husband HRH Prince Phillip should be planted side-by-side in Oldham’s major public parks and gardens as a tribute to our Royal Family, suggests Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE. In a letter to Labour Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Amanda Chadderton, and Head of Parks and Countryside, Glenn Dale, Councillor Sykes feels that, as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated across the nation next year, such an action will represent a fitting tribute to mark ‘this milestone in the exemplary contribution of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, and her late and faithful husband’. “Not only will the new rose beds be enjoyed by the many residents of our borough who already frequent our parks and gardens, but they…
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