13Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Aid cuts vote: Tory broken promise is “un-British”

Aid cuts vote: Tory broken promise is “un-British”

Parliamentary news
Commenting ahead of the vote in Parliament on cuts to the international aid budget, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for International Development, Layla Moran MP, said: “Britain made a promise to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. Going back on our word would be thoroughly un-British and a stain on our global reputation for decades to come. “The consequences of this aid cut are devastating - sick children will no longer receive aid, girls will lose their right to go to school, and some of the most essential projects for ending the generational cycle of poverty will be slashed. “Liberal Democrats welcome the Government’s decision to allow a vote on the cut, which will open the door to a return to meeting Britain's promise. But today’s announcement is a…
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26May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Prompt action on cramped one-room “home” sets standard that must be kept

Prompt action on cramped one-room “home” sets standard that must be kept

Borough news
Prompt enforcement action on the “box home” that had been advertised for rent in Oldham town centre sets a standard for enforcement that must be continued. The cramped room with a chemical toilet, which was advertised as a home for rent on social media, has been inspected by the Environmental Health team at the Council, and formal notice is being served to prevent it from being rented out. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani followed up the incident with officers. “I was pleased to hear that they were already taking action. It is important that the enforcement teams do their job, and are seen to be doing it.” The shadow cabinet member for housing had said that the “home” was one of the worst examples he had ever seen of…
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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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03Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats back Union’s ‘No child should be hungry’ appeal

Borough news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Councillors are backing a union appeal to Boris Johnson urging the Prime Minister to ensure that ‘No child should be hungry’. The National Education Union, which represents teaching staff, has called on councillors from all political parties, and none, to endorse a collective letter to the PM asking for immediate action. Liberal Democrat Councillors in Oldham have long been campaigning for the extension of free school meals to all children in need. They recently brought a motion to the November 2020 meeting of Oldham Council supporting the excellent work being done by footballer Marcus Rashford and calling on the government to provide free school meals to the children of all families in receipt of Universal Credit. The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group,…
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14Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Parliamentary news
In response to the news that schools will not be providing free meals during February half term, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education Daisy Cooper, said: “This is the second time this week that hungry children have been let-down: first it was the shocking photos of free school meal packs, and now there is more confusion over how children will access a meal during February half term, which will leave parents despairing. "After so much public outcry over free school meals, people won’t understand why struggling families are still having to fight the government for their kids to have just one decent meal a day. "The Government must do the right thing and make a 'no ifs no buts' commitment: whether a child is in school or at home, or whether…
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26Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Chancellor has made some unforgivable political choices

Chancellor has made some unforgivable political choices

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Chancellor's Spending Review, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “With the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Chancellor needed to ensure today that no one is left behind. That was the litmus test, and he has failed. "Far from a radically new approach to the recovery that tackles deep-seated inequality and builds a new green economy, we have a Government that is failing to support carers, children living in poverty and everyone in need of mental health services.” “The Chancellor has also made some unforgivable political choices today. He has chosen to continue to ignore people excluded from support and chosen to reject calls to properly extend furlough, leaving too many people facing unemployment. People deserve better.”
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26Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's claim that the Conservative Government will "do everything in our power to make sure no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays", Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Boris Johnson's claim does not ring true given his hard-hearted refusal to u-turn on free school meals. "The idea that other measures will make up for the lack of provision just won't wash - people know the real struggles that families are enduring. That is why so many communities and businesses have stepped in to provide support while this callous Government stands by. "The Liberal Democrats want to see a firm commitment from the Conservatives not only to extending free school meals through holiday periods, but also expanding eligibility to ensure any child from…
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25Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories must “wake up to reality” and do the right thing on Free School Meals

Tories must “wake up to reality” and do the right thing on Free School Meals

Parliamentary news
Responding to comments from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, speaking on today's Andrew Marr show, suggesting that the Government will not change its position on Free School Meals, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Tory Ministers must stop defending the indefensible on free school meals. We are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, and the Conservatives have chosen to cut off a lifeline for the poorest children in the country. "Communities and businesses who have stepped up where the Government has failed shows where the true heart of this nation lies. The Conservatives must wake up to reality and do the right thing. "The Liberal Democrats will keep calling for the Conservatives to do the right thing to ensure vulnerable children do not go hungry…
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23Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

£2.9 billion aid cut shows Govt abandoning world stage

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports the Government is to cut its global aid budget by £2.9 billion this year, Liberal Democrat International Development spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain said: “For so many vulnerable people in need around the world, UK international aid has made the difference between life and death.  “Despite previous assurances that clearly weren’t worth the paper they were written on, we now see the callous Tories for who they really are. “This devasting cut to international aid is a clear sign that the UK is abandoning the world stage. Because of this Government more children will have their life chances blighted by poverty.“Now more than ever we need oversight and scrutiny by retaining the ICAI, the International Development Committee and a Development Minister in Cabinet."
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06May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call for urgent child benefit uplift to cover gaps in “deeply flawed” free school meal voucher scheme

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the “deeply flawed” voucher scheme for administering free school meals during the lockdown to be bolstered by cash to families, in the form of an uplift in child benefit of £150 per week per child, and £100 for every subsequent child in the family. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran has warned the flaws meant that “many vulnerable children are still falling through the cracks and going hungry.” According to the Liberal Demcorats, many parents in rural areas currently have no shop near them that is part of the scheme, and that the complex process for the vouchers disadvantaged families with low incomes and poor internet connectivity. The call comes after MPs on the Education Committee criticised the scheme heavily yesterday. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran…
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