26Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

100,000 COVID deaths a “dark day for our country”

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that more than 100,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, said: “The death of over 100,000 people with coronavirus is a dark day for our country. Loss on this scale can seem almost too great to get our heads around but we must never forget that each of these people has left behind family, friends and neighbours. Thoughts and prayers are needed for all those left behind but alone that will not get us through this pandemic. "Liberal Democrats called for a public inquiry into the pandemic over six months ago. Just this week the Prime Minister said it was 'not sensible' to hold an inquiry now. But now is precisely the right time if we are…
Read More
25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Covid delays highlight severity of waiting list crisis

Covid delays highlight severity of waiting list crisis

Borough news
Further delays to healthcare access have demonstrated the massive crisis facing our healthcare system, due to underfunding. Waiting times for referrals have increased by in many cases another six months. For children waiting for referrals to an orthodontist, this means that children are waiting up to two and a half years to be referred for specialist treatment.  Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “For a young child, two and a half years feels like forever. How would you feel as a parent if that was how long you were asked to keep a child waiting for treatment? “The impact of Covid-19 is huge, and will have impacts in many directions. Right now, we are faced with painful choices about schools remaining open, and children’s healthcare is also critical. Waiting times…
Read More
25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Schools short-changed on ‘Covid-safe’ costs by Conservative Government

Schools short-changed on ‘Covid-safe’ costs by Conservative Government

Saddleworth News
The Conservative Government will only reimburse less than one-third of the overall costs incurred by English schools in making their premises ‘Covid-safe’ according to a publication published last month by a leading education think-tank. A report issued by the Education Policy Institute claims that government money made available through its exceptional costs fund will only cover 31% of overall costs, and in a survey covering 700 schools conducted in November, over half (57%) reported that they are using reserves to cover the shortfall, jeopardising their ability to achieve a balanced budget by the end of the current financial year. The EPI estimates that, since the first national lockdown in March 2020, primary schools have had to meet additional non-staff costs averaging almost £13,000. These amounted to almost £18,000 for special…
Read More
25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Why all festivals could be cancelled in 2021

Why all festivals could be cancelled in 2021

Parliamentary news
All festivals could be cancelled this year after the government revealed it had no intention to underwrite live music events. In a letter to Lib Dem MPs Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, confirmed that the government was not considering insurance intervention. She said that ministers were not convinced it was the "right vehicle of support for the event sector nor that this is the right time to consider it". Glastonbury was cancelled for a second year running on Thursday after encountering a range of problems, including the inability to get insured because of the coronavirus pandemic. Many festivals will face a similar problem and without help from the government may be forced to cancel. Mr Stone pleaded with the Government to underwrite contingency insurance for live…
Read More
25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government could have done more for frontline workers

Government could have done more for frontline workers

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that some front-line occupations are at a higher risk of death, including nurses and care workers, Liberal Democrat Health & Social Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “We are in debt to all the front-line workers who have put their own health at risk to fight this virus and keep us safe. Everyone must continue to do their bit and make every effort to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. “This new data shows the sacrifice that front-line workers have made to protect us all from this terrible disease. It is clear that the Government could have done far more to protect our key workers by providing proper PPE and an effective test, trace and isolate system. "Even now many cases are not…
Read More
25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must stop gambling with the lives of British public

Government must stop gambling with the lives of British public

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's COVID-19 press conference, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: “This new scientific evidence is sobering and shows why everyone needs to continue in their efforts to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. We can never say ‘thank you’ often enough to the amazing front line staff who are doing so much to tackle this virus. “This new evidence means it is now so important that we learn the lessons of the pandemic as quickly as possible to ensure that the Government gets the best solution to our problems and as often as possible, gets them right first time. That is why the public inquiry the Government promised needs to start now. The science says getting things wrong will now be…
Read More
21Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Conservative Government under greater pressure to make £20 Universal Credit rise permanent

Conservative Government under greater pressure to make £20 Universal Credit rise permanent

Borough news, Parliamentary news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats have welcomed the vote in Parliament earlier this week as a sign that there is cross-party support for the £20 weekly uplift in Universal Credit, introduced at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, to be made permanent. At the end of an Opposition Day debate in the House of Commons, 278 Members of Parliament voted for the rise, putting pressure on the Conservative Government to extend it beyond the 31 March cut-off date. Amongst those MPs supporting the extension were all eleven Liberal Democrat Members of Parliament. There were no votes against, but, unfortunately, the vote is only advisory and not legally binding. Oldham Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wrote to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP last October asking him to ‘make…
Read More
15Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Supreme Court ruling is a lifeline for small businesses

Supreme Court ruling is a lifeline for small businesses

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that a Supreme Court ruling is set to force insurers to pay out on disputed coronavirus claims Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Business, said: “This is an excellent result and will provide a lifeline for many small businesses who have been plagued with worry and financial hardship throughout this pandemic. "Businesses across the UK paid out thousands of pounds in premiums only to be let down by insurance companies when they needed to claim. "Now they will finally be able to get the money they deserve and are entitled to."
Read More
15Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
South America travel ban necessary but too slow – Olney

South America travel ban necessary but too slow – Olney

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the Government's announcement of a South American travel ban, Sarah Olney MP , Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport said: “The Government’s South America travel ban is a necessary step and one that the Liberal Democrats had already called for. “The coronavirus pandemic has been going on for more than a year, yet time and time again the Conservative Government is too slow to act. Whether it is travel bans, testing at airports or even the national lockdown itself, Government inaction is allowing the virus to spread further and faster. “The UK is still not requiring testing prior to travel to the UK, as recommended by the APPG on coronavirus. Countries across the world have proved this to be effective, the UK Government should follow their lead.”
Read More
14Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Farcical travel rules put lives at risk

Farcical travel rules put lives at risk

Parliamentary news
Lib Dems are calling on the Government to act more decisively on travel restrictions after a worrying new strain of coronavirus was discovered in Brazil. Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport, said: “Once again it seems the Conservatives have missed the opportunity to help stem the spread of Covid-19. "They've delayed action on cutting travel between the UK and South America, risking the arrival of the new variant. Brazil has already stopped flights from the UK arriving there. "And we are still not requiring testing prior to travel to the UK, as recommended by the APPG on coronavirus. Countries across the world have proved this to be effective, the UK Government should follow their lead. "The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Conservatives to take quick decisive action to…
Read More