30Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Johnson’s speech offers no green recovery plan and no help for vulnerable people

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech Ed Davey, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats said: “Many people have been waiting to hear from the Prime Minister about how we deal with the challenges we face, but all we saw was a lot of Boris bluster. "The Prime Minister says he will “build build build” but all his government is building is a wrecking ball for our economy as he recklessly pursues Brexit at all costs.  “Johnson promised a green recovery from the pandemic, but as usual his promises are meaningless. We’re seeing yet more mass investment in road building rather than in new infrastructure for cycling, and the construction of new homes without also tackling our existing draughty houses. “Liberal Democrats will continue to hold this government to account, to campaign…
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14May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must publish scientific evidence behind lockdown decisions

Parliamentary news
Responding to Robert Jenrick's announcement that restrictions on estate agents have been lifted in England, Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said: “Recent announcements about easing lockdown have created more confusion than clarity and today's is no exception.  "The reopening of the housing market will leave millions wondering why they can view houses but aren't able to visit loved ones at home. This could also put potentially vulnerable tenants at risk.   "The Liberal Democrats have been clear the Government must publish the scientific guidance behind relaxing lockdown, otherwise they will completely lose the trust of the public. "We must test, trace and isolate to keep people safe. That is the only way to ease out of lockdown whilst minimising risk of transmission of COVID-19. Without this, any measures to relax lockdown are premature."
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29Mar 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Greater Manchester housing figures ‘not mandatory’ and greenbelt building should be ‘exceptional’, says Government Minister

Borough news, Campaigns, Saddleworth News
In a reply to the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, a Conservative Minister conceded that Government policy appears to allow for building less housing than is currently planned under Greater Manchester Spatial Framework proposals and the green belt can only be built on ‘in exceptional circumstances’. Councillor Sykes wrote to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire MP, in February. Kit Malthouse MP responded on Mr Brokenshire’s behalf earlier this month as Minister for Housing. Although original government estimates were that there be a need for 213,380 extra homes in Greater Manchester by 2035, later projections released by the Office for National Statistics in 2016 put the figure at only 164,000.  In his letter,…
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08Feb 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats seek more affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly homes – but NOT on Greenbelt

Parliamentary news, Saddleworth News
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has responded to a consultation with Councillors on the proposed new Housing Strategy for the Borough by asking for more affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly homes to be built. Howard Sykes, leader of the opposition Councillor Sykes said: “More affordable homes are needed, including more homes for social-rent and for part-ownership, especially for first-time buyers and renters on a lower income who need a helping hand to get on the housing ladder.  With our growing population, we will also need more accessible properties catering for the needs of older people with disabilities, for families with one or more children with disabilities and for young adults with disabilities wishing to live independently.” “Finally, we are…
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13Jan 2019 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats vow to continue to fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt from massive land grab for housing and industrial use

Borough news, Campaigns
The Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is gearing up for the next round in its fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt and green spaces. Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the 10 Council Leaders are due to agree the latest proposals for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) which identifies where future houses will be built and industry based. Last year, public opposition, backed by support from Liberal Democrat Councillors across Greater Manchester, forced the Mayor to withdraw the original proposals to build homes on greenbelt across the county, including many thousands in Shaw, Crompton, Saddleworth, Chadderton and Royton. The so called new proposals are now in the public domain and according to Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham…
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25Jun 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats vow to fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt from house building threat

Borough news
The Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is gearing up for the next round in its fight to save Oldham’s Greenbelt from housing. In just a few weeks’ time, Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham will be publishing his latest proposals for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (the GMSF) which will identify where he wants housebuilding to take place across Greater Manchester over the next twenty years. Last year, public opposition, backed by support from Liberal Democrat Councillors across Greater Manchester, forced the new Mayor to withdraw the original proposals to build homes on greenbelt across the county, including many thousands in Shaw, Crompton, Saddleworth, Chadderton and Royton. The new proposals will be the subject of further public consultation. Commenting Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and…
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28Apr 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats back real help for the homeless

Borough news, Campaigns, Parliamentary news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats are backing real help for the homeless and those applicants who remain stuck on housing waiting lists. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Oldham Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, has recently discussed the matter at the party’s spring conference in Southport where housing policy was debated. Commenting, he said:  “I am pleased to report that Liberal Democrat councillors successfully tabled a motion that was accepted by conference as party policy allowing Councils to be able to scrap the ‘right to buy’ and the housing borrowing cap.” Councillor Sykes added: “Scrapping the automatic ‘right to buy’ will mean that no more council and housing association properties will be sold.  Scrapping the housing borrowing cap will mean that Councils can borrow…
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