29Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
COVID-19 report highlights need for independent public inquiry

COVID-19 report highlights need for independent public inquiry

Parliamentary news
Responding to the release of the 'Assessing England’s response to COVID-19' report by the King’s Fund, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “This report plainly lays out the need and the framework for an independent public inquiry into the Government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. “It has become increasingly clear over the last year that the Government was poorly prepared for a pandemic and slow to act when it hit. Its shady approach to procuring PPE and its failure to implement a robust test, trace and isolate system have exacerbated this crisis. “The Liberal Democrats were successful in getting the Prime Minister to commit to holding an inquiry and we believe he should not delay in carrying it out. The country needs to know what…
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28Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ed Davey backs Bereaved Families calling for PM apology after lockdown comments

Ed Davey backs Bereaved Families calling for PM apology after lockdown comments

Parliamentary news
Responding to the petition from the Bereaved Families for Justice calling on the Prime Minister to apologise, Liberal Democrats Leader Ed Davey MP said: “This is a powerful initiative from the Bereaved Families. I cannot imagine how tens of thousands of families have felt seeing these appalling comments from the prime minister on the front pages of the newspapers. “The families want an apology and an immediate public inquiry, that is the very least Boris Johnson can do. “The Liberal Democrats will continue to support the bereaved families and campaign for an immediate public inquiry.”
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28Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government aid cuts raise the risk of new Covid variants

Government aid cuts raise the risk of new Covid variants

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the UK Government plans to cut funding for life-saving water projects in developing countries, as well as slashing funding for polio eradication, Layla Moran MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and International Development, commented: “Now we can see why the Foreign Secretary is hiding the details of the Government’s deep, potentially unlawful aid cuts. In the middle of a global pandemic no less, water, sanitation and hygiene programmes are being cut to the bone. Deep cuts to polio eradication efforts are shocking and could prevent the disease being eliminated. “Cutting aid for water and sanitation raises the risks of new variants, which could wash up on our shores. The Liberal Democrats will stand up against these cuts and for the 0.7% of GNI commitment, which…
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25Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes welcomes Lord Dannatt’s call for Annual COVID-19 Memorial Day

Sykes welcomes Lord Dannatt’s call for Annual COVID-19 Memorial Day

Parliamentary news
Oldham Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the call by General Lord Dannatt, former Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, for March 23, the date upon which the first national Lockdown was introduced in 2020, to be designated as Britain’s Annual Covid-19 Memorial Day. Lord Dannatt wants the new day to be marked with a minute’s silence and a new emblem like the poppies that symbolise Remembrance Sunday. The Local Government Association (LGA), which is the national body representing local authorities; and councillor Sykes serves as Vice Chair and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group; are also backing the national campaign for the creation of Coronavirus monuments in every area, along with a national memorial in Whitehall. At the last meeting of Oldham Council 24 March 2021, Councillor Sykes asked the Leader…
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23Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Small businesses need urgent support in spite of record borrowing

Small businesses need urgent support in spite of record borrowing

Parliamentary news
New economic data from the Office for National Statistics show the Government borrowed £303.1bn in the year to March, the highest level since the end of World War Two. The figures show that, compared to the previous 12 months, borrowing is nearly £250bn higher in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to the statistics released this morning, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "These record figures are a reflection of the momentous challenge posed by Covid-19 in the past year. As significant as they are, they can't distract from the fact that people and businesses throughout the UK are still in need of support. “Countless small businesses won't be able to reopen for months to come, and millions of people are still worried about their jobs.…
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19Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must compensate students for lost education

Government must compensate students for lost education

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to double hardship funds for university students to £700m and compensate them for lost teaching and rent. In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons to the Minister of State for Universities, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson, also said that the Government's proposed return date of 17 May – after many courses have finished – is the "final end of term insult" to students. Following the debate Daisy Cooper MP commented: “The Minister's warm words about concern for students cannot mask the fact that the Government is failing to take any real action to support those facing real hardship. "Many students have been unable to work for months – falling behind on rent and bills, and…
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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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31Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
‘Sheer madness’ to end virtual Council meetings during pandemic

‘Sheer madness’ to end virtual Council meetings during pandemic

Borough news
A government decision to force Councils to again meet in public after May 6 whilst allowing Parliament to meet remotely represents double standards on the issue of public safety and will needlessly endanger the health of any participants, says Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE. “We all want full Council meetings to recommence in person at the Civic Centre when it is safe to do so, but now is too soon,” commented Councillor Sykes. “We are still in the middle of a pandemic. Many of our younger residents have yet to be vaccinated and those that have received the vaccine are mostly still awaiting the protection promised by a second jab. It has proven entirely possible to take public questions and allow the public to view proceedings at…
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26Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Coronavirus Act: Rights and freedoms must be restored

Coronavirus Act: Rights and freedoms must be restored

Parliamentary news
Responding to the results of the vote on the Coronavirus Act extension, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey MP commented: “This vote hands Conservative Ministers a blank cheque to use draconian powers they don’t need. I am proud that Liberal Democrats voted against it. “We continue to support all necessary measures to contain the spread of the virus and keep people safe, but none of them rely on the Coronavirus Act. The Prime Minister even had to resort to lies to persuade MPs to back him today. “Despite all their talk about freedom, the Conservatives have shown they have no intention of restoring people’s civil liberties once the need for restrictions has ended. “Liberal Democrats will remain vigilant to stop the Government abusing these powers, and to make sure that everyone’s…
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25Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Exam grades: Government showing contempt for students and teachers

Exam grades: Government showing contempt for students and teachers

Parliamentary news
Responding to Ofqual's guidance on how exam grades will be awarded this year, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: "Once again, the Government is showing complete contempt for students and teachers by only publishing the technical guidance on grading just days before most schools are due to break up for Easter. "The Education Secretary dragged his heels in deciding whether or not to cancel exams and now students and teachers are paying the price. "Teachers and pupils will have been hoping for some well-earned respite after an incredibly difficult term. Instead they will now be frantically trying to digest this guidance and work out what it will mean for them. A last minute panic which could so easily have been avoided if the Education Secretary had stepped up…
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