30May 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Hospital trusts accountability must return

Borough news, health and social care
Oldham’s patients will be left unrepresented and uncared for if Oldham Council persists with no scrutiny of the new Northern Care Alliance, says Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Louie Hamblett, with the Council having not replaced the board which previously oversaw the activities of the now dissolved Pennine Care. With current IT failures causing huge problems across the Alliance, the importance of being able to scrutinise the trust has been placed firmly in the spotlight. The Shadow Cabinet Member for Health said: “No-one will be speaking up for patients in the new system, and there is already confusion over services being provided in different hospitals. “Currently there are patients who are getting services in hospitals which are not covered by the Northern Care Alliance – they are contracting in services in…
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10Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
MPs silenced on future Trade Deals

MPs silenced on future Trade Deals

Parliamentary news
Reacting to the Government rejection of scrutiny amendments to the Trade Bill, Liberal Democrat Trade spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “The British public have the right to be represented in the negotiation of new trade deals and that means Parliament having its say. It is outrageous that the Government has refused, once again, to back Parliamentary scrutiny in the Trade Bill. “Whether its safeguarding environmental regulations, protecting human rights or maintaining food standards, we have a duty as representatives of the public to scrutinise and vote on the detail of any future trade deal. The Conservatives have voted to ensure that all MPs will be silenced on all future trade deals. “Liberal Democrats will continue the fight to hold this Government to account. It is vital MPs have their say…
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22Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tories’ plan to “take back control” proves to be empty words when it comes to trade

Parliamentary news
Following news that the Trade Bill has passed in the House of Commons, without any amendments which would ensure that Parliament can vote on future trade deals, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for International Trade Sarah Olney said: “By refusing to give Parliament a say over future trade deals - going against the wishes of many of their own MPs - it is clear that this Conservative Government's motto of "taking back control" was just empty words in their ideological pursuit of Brexit. "As the Liberal Democrats warned, we now have less scrutiny over trade deals than when we were part of the EU. Instead the Government is clearing the way to push through a quick deal with Trump's America, no matter what the cost to the UK. "The Liberal Democrats will…
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