29Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Most wanted: damning police report still remains at large

Most wanted: damning police report still remains at large

Borough news
One month after Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wrote to Andy Burnham requesting publication of a report into the management and performance of Greater Manchester Police, the Greater Manchester Labour Mayor has failed to honour his promise to make the report public. Mayor Burnham contrived to delay publishing the report before his mayoral re-election, claiming that it would be inappropriate to do so before the new Police chief, Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM, was sworn in. That happened over a month ago and the report has yet to see the light of day. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “It is unsurprising really that Mayor Burnham, who also acts as Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner, doesn’t want to publish this report as I understand it is critical about…
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28Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Home Secretary must drop “dystopian” asylum proposals

Home Secretary must drop “dystopian” asylum proposals

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Home Secretary’s plans to hold asylum seekers in an offshore “processing centre”, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Shipping asylum seekers off to so-called ‘processing centres’ in Rwanda would be an appalling and inhumane way to treat some of the world’s most vulnerable people. “The UK has a proud history of providing sanctuary and support to those in need, but now Priti Patel and the Conservatives are turning their backs on refugees who are seeking safety. “Treating seekers of sanctuary as criminals is wrong and will only strengthen the position of people smugglers and human traffickers who prey on desperate people trying to cross the Channel. “The best way to tackle these criminal gangs and stop dangerous boat crossings is to provide safe and…
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25Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Hypocrite Hancock should go

Hypocrite Hancock should go

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has broken Covid rules, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care Munira Wilson MP said: "Matt Hancock is a terrible Health Secretary and should have been sacked a long time ago for his failures. "This latest episode of hypocrisy will break the trust with the British public. He was telling families not to hug loved ones, while doing whatever he liked in the workplace. "It’s clear that he does not share the public’s values. Rules for them and rules for us is no way to run a country. "From the PPE scandal, the crisis in our care service and the unbelievably poor test and trace system, he has utterly failed. It is time for the Health Secretary to go."
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25Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
£90million Pupil Premium cut is “shameful penny pinching” say Lib Dems

£90million Pupil Premium cut is “shameful penny pinching” say Lib Dems

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that the Government has planned to cut Pupil Premium funding by some £90million, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education Daisy Cooper MP said: "Liberal Democrats warned the government months ago that the most disadvantaged children would lose out on support because of the Government’s shameful penny pinching. “We wrote to the Education Secretary months ago urging him not to go ahead with this cut and teachers warned of the impact this would have for disadvantaged pupils - but the Government simply refused to listen. The Tories talk about the importance of levelling up in our education system, but the reality is they have cut vital funding which gives support to the poorest pupils.  "This will have a devastating impact for pupils who are recovering from months of…
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24Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Trans-Pacific Partnership doesn’t deliver for small businesses

Trans-Pacific Partnership doesn’t deliver for small businesses

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Trade Sarah Olney has called on the Government to not rush into the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership and to "balance our diplomatic interests with our economic ones." During the Commons debate on the TPP, which will increase GDP by only 0.017%, Sarah urged the Government to consider whether the risks of entering this partnership was in the interests of the public. Speaking after the debate, Sarah Olney MP said: "The Government have hailed this new agreement as a remedy to post-Brexit trade but in reality it's set to be a drop in the ocean. "Our most important trading relationship with the EU is suffering, and British small businesses trading with Europe are struggling under complicated new rules and red tape. "It is time the Government starts paying…
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24Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government recklessly gambling on farmers retirement

Government recklessly gambling on farmers retirement

Parliamentary news
The Conservatives have proposed a retirement scheme to support farmers who wish to leave the industry, freeing up land for new entrants. However, no analysis has been done on the number expected to take up the scheme, nor how many new entrants will replace them. Questions from the Liberal Democrats have revealed that the Government only “think” that new workers will enter the industry. Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Tim Farron MP, said: “This news is deeply concerning. The farming industry has already been battered by the Conservative’s mishandling of Brexit, the failure to protect animal welfare standards and the cuts to support payments without the replacement even being ready. “Now the Government is encouraging people to leave the industry, with no idea who will replace them. This risks…
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23Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Scrap fees for Armed Forces veterans, urge Lib Dems

Scrap fees for Armed Forces veterans, urge Lib Dems

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats will today call on the Government to scrap visa fees for all foreign veterans and currently serving personnel in the UK Armed Forces. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Defence Jamie Stone MP has tabled a cross-party amendment to the Armed Forces Bill, which reaches committee stage in the House of Commons today, calling for visa fees to be waived for any current or previously serving members of the UK armed forces and their families. Jamie Stone MP commented: “In Armed Forces Week, we must provide meaningful support – not more empty words – for service personnel and their families. "Foreign and Commonwealth citizens have a proud legacy of serving our country in the Armed Forces. Excessive application fees have prevented many brave veterans from taking up their right to…
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22Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Safer streets fund opportunity for Oldham

Borough news
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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22Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PAC Report: Festivals on financial cliff-edge

PAC Report: Festivals on financial cliff-edge

Parliamentary news
Commenting on the latest report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the Governments Covid-19 culture recovery fund, PAC Member and Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney said: "The support offered to the UKs world-leading arts and culture sectors during the pandemic fell far short of what was needed, we’re now facing festivals on the financial cliff-edge. "Too many people were excluded from financial support and many businesses still face an uncertain future. The Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government for months to underwrite insurance for live events, to try and prevent festivals and other events being cancelled this summer. "Maximising the impact of this funding in the months to come is essential if we are to safeguard the future of our arts and culture sector and the far-reaching…
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22Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

“Staggering” suppression of sick pay slammed

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats MPs Munira Wilson and Christine Jardine have written to the Chancellor demanding the Government protects lives and livelihoods in response to reports HM Treasury suppressed access to sick pay for furloughed workers. The letter also highlights the lack of new support for businesses and workers following the month-long extension of Coronavirus restrictions. Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, commented: “At the beginning of this pandemic the Chancellor promised he would do ‘whatever it takes’ to protect people's livelihoods. Yet his department stands accused of suppressing access to support for those self-isolating, one of the country's most effective tools for slowing the spread of this terrible disease. “Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government to provide proper financial support for small businesses and fix the broken…
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