16Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Restore community policing to end scandal of 1.8m unsolved crimes

Restore community policing to end scandal of 1.8m unsolved crimes

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats will launch their national Police and Crime Commissioner campaign in Stockport by calling on the Government to restore community policing. New analysis by the party reveals more than 1.8 million crimes reported to the police last year closed without a suspect being identified. Separate figures show that half of all people say they never see police patrols in their local area. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP, will today call for a return to proper community policing: “Everyone has the right to feel safe where they live and know those who commit crimes will be punished. But this Conservative Government is leaving our communities vulnerable and letting criminals get away with it. “Instead of letting police officers get on with their jobs, Tory Ministers want…
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15Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Mandatory vaccination for care staff is not a quick fix

Mandatory vaccination for care staff is not a quick fix

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that the Government is considering making vaccination mandatory for care home workers, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Munira Wilson MP said: “Care home staff have gone above and beyond over the course of this pandemic and the Liberal Democrats offer our thanks for all their hard work. “We strongly support the vaccination programme and urge everyone to get their jab when asked to. However, we are concerned that the Government is considering making vaccination compulsory for care home staff. “Before considering such a measure, the Government should be making every possible effort to enable all health and care staff to get the jab as easily as possible. This should include paid time off and travel expenses to get the jab. For those who…
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15Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Mortgage prisoners: Lords offer vital relief

Mortgage prisoners: Lords offer vital relief

Parliamentary news
The House of Lords has passed a Lib Dem amendment that would allow individuals trapped in unaffordable mortgages, known as ‘mortgage prisoners’, to access mortgages with much fairer rates. Mortgage prisoners had their mortgages nationalised after the financial crash and then sold on by the Treasury to vulture funds or inactive lenders, and therefore have been stuck paying what MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has called “obscene interest rates”. The amendment, tabled by Lib Dem Peer John Sharkey, would require the introduction of a cap on the rates charged to mortgage prisoners and, under specified circumstances, ensure their access to fixed rate interest deals. Lib Dem Lords Treasury spokesperson Susan Kramer said: “So many stories from mortgage prisoners have been shared with me over the past few weeks, many of them…
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11Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Death of Prince Phillip a personal sad loss for Royal Family and nation

Parliamentary news
The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group, councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has spoken with sadness about the death of HRH Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and has joined the chorus of voices offering condolences and sympathy to Her Majesty, The Queen and the Royal Family on their loss. Councillor Sykes said: “Today is a day of national mourning. Like many British subjects, I have lived my whole life knowing only our Queen as my Sovereign and Prince Phillip as her Consort. His Royal Highness Prince Phillip faithfully and selflessly served this country and the institution of the monarchy for decades, and was a stalwart support for Her Majesty, The Queen, throughout her long reign. He will be greatly missed by our Queen and the Royal Family and…
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09Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Greensill: “Stench of cronyism” from this Government

Greensill: “Stench of cronyism” from this Government

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news of the Treasury publishing the Chancellor’s text messages to David Cameron regarding Grensill Capital, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: "There are now serious questions that the Chancellor must answer about the nature of these conversations. Yet again, the stench of cronyism emanates from this government. "We need full transparency on exactly what the Chancellor did and what David Cameron's involvement was in persuading him."
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08Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
‘Don’t be a Fool in April, reuse your shopping bags’, says Sykes

‘Don’t be a Fool in April, reuse your shopping bags’, says Sykes

Borough news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrats welcome the increased charge for single use plastic carrier bags introduced on 1 April. All retailers, regardless of how big they are, will now have to charge customers 10p for a bag. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said: “Environmental issues are incredibly important to Liberal Democrats, as they are for the general public. Who doesn’t feel angry and upset when they see the plastic detritus that is choking our oceans and killing our marine life? “The Liberal Democrats were glad when the 5p plastic bag charge was introduced at our bigger stores. It has already had a massive effect on the number of single-use plastic bags in circulation. Extending the charge to all stores and doubling it will make even more shoppers think twice…
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07Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes backs Trussell Trust campaign to end need for food banks

Sykes backs Trussell Trust campaign to end need for food banks

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council and Liberal Democrat candidate for Shaw in the forthcoming local election, is giving his backing to a campaign by the Trussell Trust to work towards ending the need for food banks after the May election. The Trussell Trust intends to formally launch its campaign on 9 April when all election candidates are announced. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “Tragically, Oldham is a borough with some of the highest levels of deprivation in the UK. Although I have some issues with the Trussell Trust, I do support this campaign. The Oldham Liberal Democrats believe strongly that in a country as wealthy as the UK it is criminal that some of our residents still do not have sufficient money to pay for…
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06Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Davey: Vote to back a Liberal Democrat local champion in May

Davey: Vote to back a Liberal Democrat local champion in May

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has officially launched the Liberal Democrats Local Elections campaign in England. He has called on voters to back a Liberal Democrat local champion in May. Liberal Democrats have announced plans for a fairer, greener more caring country where there is opportunity for all. The party announced plans for a locally-led green transition, backed by £48bn pounds of investment. Leader Ed Davey also called on the government to help struggling small businesses by slashing national insurance contributions (NICs) for small firms by quadrupling the employment allowance from £4,000 to £16,000. Ed Davey delivered a speech at the Liberal Democrats digital launch where he said: "This has been a truly dreadful year. So many loved ones lost. So many families bereaved. So many businesses closed. Coronavirus is…
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31Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must not use race report as an excuse for shameful inaction

Government must not use race report as an excuse for shameful inaction

Parliamentary news
Responding to the report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, published today, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Equalities Wera Hobhouse MP commented: “As the Black Lives Matter protests highlighted so powerfully, too many people’s lives both in the UK and across the world are blighted by discrimination, inequality and injustice. It is unacceptable. “There is still so much to do to tackle racial injustice in our country, from the shocking number of Black and Asian children in poverty, to the over-representation of Black and mixed-race people in prison, to the courts and corporate boards still dominated by white people, to the disproportionate impact of Covid on ethnic minority communities. “Conservative Ministers must not use this report as an excuse to continue their shameful inaction on these issues. They should…
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31Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Covid letter ‘an absolute waste of Oldham Council Taxpayers’ money’

Borough news
The Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader on Oldham Council, Shaw Councillor Chris Gloster, is fuming at the cost of a letter sent to every household in the borough. The controversial letter, jointly signed by the Labour Leader of Oldham Council, councillor Sean Fielding, and Oldham Council’s Chief Executive, Dr Carolyn Wilkins OBE, relays what the council has been doing over the past twelve months during the Covid crisis, and concludes that by ‘working together and demonstrating that community spirit Oldham is famous for, we can get back to doing the things we love sooner’. Councillor Gloster is also the shadow portfolio holder for finance and knows how precious every Council Tax penny is. He railed against the waste of money sending out the letter represents: “To be blunt this is…
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