25Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ed Davey welcomes people with learning disabilities being invited for Covid vaccines

Ed Davey welcomes people with learning disabilities being invited for Covid vaccines

Parliamentary news
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has welcomed the news that all people with learning disabilities will be invited for Covid vaccines. Ed asked the Prime Minister about the issue in the House of Commons on Monday, and has previously written to the Prime Minister urging him to prioritise people with learning disabilities for vaccination. Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This news will come as welcome relief for families across the country. I am glad the Government has listened to me and other carers speaking up for our loved ones. “We know that people with learning disabilities are extremely vulnerable to Covid, yet they have far too often been forgotten and ignored by Ministers. The number who have died is heartbreakingly high. “The Government must provide…
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25Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes supports ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ for business rates cut

Sykes supports ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ for business rates cut

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has shown his support for the ‘Shopkeepers’ Campaign’ that is calling for a cut in the business rates that high street retailers pay. In 2020, Revo, a membership group representing retailers, launched the campaign to cut and reform business rates for retail property. Since its introduction, this tax has increased by almost 50 per cent for bricks-and-mortar stores and is one of the largest costs paid by shopkeepers. It has led to the closure of many shops, leading to job losses and a loss of customer choice. During the COVID-19 Lockdown, non-food shops have been forced to close for long periods, and many more now face ruin. The government is conducting a Fundamental Review of Business…
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25Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government support runs dry leaving local businesses waiting

Government support runs dry leaving local businesses waiting

Borough news
Oldham Council is still waiting for the Government to provide further funding for local businesses which have been forced to close, despite the previous funding running out on February 15. The Conservative Government will not be providing the money, which is a lifeline for local people, until they provide information on how long businesses are likely to have to keep their doors closed. Leader of the opposition, and Shadow Cabinet Member with responsibility for coronavirus, Howard Sykes MBE said: “It is sadly unsurprising that the Conservative Government has left local businesses high and dry. For a Government which seems to be very good at organising coronavirus contracts for businesses owned by people they know, they seem incredibly bad at making payments for everyone else.” Once the Government confirms what is…
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24Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Summer catch-up schools: Government must do more for young people’s wellbeing

Summer catch-up schools: Government must do more for young people’s wellbeing

Parliamentary news
Responding to the announcement of the Government's plans for summer catch-up schools, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education said: “The Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government to set out ambitious plans to support young people with both educational and emotional recovery as schools reopen. "Without this we could see a lost generation, who will feel the impact of the disruption caused by the pandemic, for years to come. "Government must remember that it isn't just lessons young people have missed out on through school closures. They have missed time playing and socialising with their friends, spending months cut off from in-person contact with their peers. "There are widespread reports of the devastating impact this has had on young people's mental and emotional wellbeing. Parents will want…
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23Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Unemployment: Refusal to extend furlough cost thousands of jobs

Unemployment: Refusal to extend furlough cost thousands of jobs

Parliamentary news
Responding to new ONS unemployment figures, showing the unemployment rate has risen to 5.1%, Liberal Democrats Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "Behind each number in today's statistic is a family worrying how they will pay their bills, and hoping that next week the Chancellor will offer a big, bold innovative plan that will help them get their lives, and their family's future, back on course. “These figures illustrate that COVID has created a generation who are being left behind and whose economic life chances and mental health have been permanently scarred. This generation is our future and the government must provide ongoing support. "Government's refusal to listen to calls to extend furlough before now has already cost thousands of jobs and pushed shops, hairdressers and companies up and down…
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22Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government roadmap: PM must put those hit hardest first

Government roadmap: PM must put those hit hardest first

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's announcement on the roadmap out of lockdown, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP said: “Millions of people across the country have made untold sacrifices in the past year. People have been isolated from their families, hundreds of thousands of businesses have been shuttered and our precious freedoms have been curtailed. “As we begin to recover the Prime Minister must put people hit hardest by this pandemic first: the most vulnerable people in our communities, small businesses and the self-employed. "It is deeply concerning that the Prime Minister has failed to set out plans for a functioning test, trace and isolate system – particularly a failure to support people enough to stay at home if they are asked to self-isolate. “This time, Prime Minister…
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19Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government borrowing: Chancellor needs to put people before the numbers

Government borrowing: Chancellor needs to put people before the numbers

Parliamentary news
Responding to new figures which show that UK Government borrowing was at its highest levels in January since records began, Christine Jardine MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson said: “These record borrowing figures demonstrate clearly the scale of the challenge posed by COVID-19, but they must not be seen as an excuse for cutting support and leaving behind those across the UK who are struggling. "While the vaccine offers hope, the pandemic is far from over and the Government must improve, not reduce help.  Furlough must be extended, the three million excluded must be brought under the Government's umbrella, and struggling small businesses need urgent relief if we are to avert thousands of closures. “The Chancellor needs to put people before the numbers in the March budget and commit all the…
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18Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
UCAS response: Govt must step up on student mental health

UCAS response: Govt must step up on student mental health

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's UCAS figures*, finding student application numbers rising, particularly in health courses, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP, said: “Record numbers applying for health courses is a real sign of hope for Britain. Not only have younger people seen the extraordinary commitment of front-line workers during this pandemic, but they now want to follow in their footsteps. "But it’s clear that the continuing pandemic and its after-effects are going to unleash a tsunami of mental ill health for those who have served on the NHS and care front-line. It's vital that the government steps up to support new health students as they enter one of the most challenging times in the history” *Please find UCAS figures here:https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/nursing-applications-soar-ucas-publishes-latest-undergraduate-applicant-analysis
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16Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes joins Lib Dem Leaders in call for permanent Universal Credit boost

Sykes joins Lib Dem Leaders in call for permanent Universal Credit boost

Borough news
Over 30 Liberal Democrat Council Leaders and elected Mayors in England have written to the government calling for the £20 a week increase in Universal Credit, introduced in March 2020, to be made permanent. The letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP follows a vote in Parliament held on Monday 18th January 2021 in which the government the abstained and in which all Liberal Democrat MPs attending voted in favour of maintaining the increase. The motion to increase Universal Credit was carried by 278 votes to nil. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE who serves as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at the Local Government Association, as well as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, was one of the signatories.…
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11Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Heartbreaking death stats reveal ‘abject failure’ on protecting disabled

Heartbreaking death stats reveal ‘abject failure’ on protecting disabled

Parliamentary news
New figures show disabled people make up 60% of all COVID-19 related deaths. Responding to the Office for National Statistics information, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: “It is heartbreaking that so many disabled people have died during this pandemic. They have been hit particularly hard in so many ways, but they and their carers are still too often forgotten and ignored by people in power. “Far too many lives have been lost because of Ministers’ abject failure to protect people in care homes. The Prime Minister must set up an independent public inquiry without further delay, so we can learn the lessons and prevent more unnecessary deaths. “The Government must urgently do far more to protect disabled people’s health, including making sure they and their carers are vaccinated…
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