07Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ukraine: how we can help

Ukraine: how we can help

Parliamentary news
Many people have been asking how they can help the desperate situation in the Ukraine. At present, the best way people can help is by donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine appeal here. The appeal, which was officially launched on Thursday (March 3), is officially backed by the UK Government, which is matching all donations made, up to £20m. The DEC’ brings together 15 leading aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently, getting help to where it is most needed. While we know many people are keen to donate items of clothing and essential goods, this is being discouraged by many charities, some of which have already closed their collections, due to the logistical problems this can create. The Government has also said that unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can…
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12Aug 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
GDP stats: Massive obstacles lie ahead in spite of growth

GDP stats: Massive obstacles lie ahead in spite of growth

Parliamentary news
Reacting to estimate figures released this morning showing that the UK's GDP increased by 4.8% in Q2 2021, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "These figures shouldn't lull us into thinking that all our problems are solved. We still face potentially massive obstacles if the Government goes ahead with ending the furlough scheme and the Universal credit uplift at the end of next month. "Hard pressed families and struggling businesses need more reassurance than improving GDP figures - they need support extended into next year. "So many people have done the right thing and got vaccinated, but we also need to be aware of the danger of new variants putting renewed pressure on the NHS and demanding yet more sacrifice from everyone."
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11Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Community approach can benefit survivors in Oldham

Community approach can benefit survivors in Oldham

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence
After the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) produced its latest report, local Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani has called on the Council to put its recommendations – and lessons from around the country – into practice in Oldham. One example is the Quetzal Project in Leicester, which provides free counselling for women recovering from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. They have been running an outreach project to allow women in isolated communities to access counselling, particularly from South Asian backgrounds. Sam said: “What the Quetzal Project has done really well is reach out to people and communities, not wait for people to come to them. They found the right people in the community, that survivors would trust, and gave them the help they needed to ensure that…
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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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17Dec 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Chancellor must act as 1 in 4 pubs worry they will go bust in less than three months

Chancellor must act as 1 in 4 pubs worry they will go bust in less than three months

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to intervene and save pubs from going bust after new statistics revealed just than 1 in 4 pubs (28%) have "no or low confidence" that they will survive the next 3 months. Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper said: “Pubs are a hugely important part of our social and cultural fabric, and are community hubs often run by families for the love of the trade. "With so many pubs worried that they wont be able to survive the next few months of the pandemic, alarm bells should be ringing across government. “The Chancellor must take radical action: he must increase grants so they cover fixed costs during restrictions, guarantee that furlough will be extended for as long as pubs can’t…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must help businesses and people excluded from support schemes

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that 8.9m jobs have been furloughed & 2.6m claims submitted to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The furlough scheme and income support for self-employed people, which the Liberal Democrats fought hard to get, are providing a lifeline for millions of families. “However, far too many people are still excluded from this support, including those who recently became self-employed and those who operate as limited companies. The Chancellor must expand the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to cover these people. “The Government must not leave behind people and businesses without the support they need when these schemes come to an end. Many parts of our economy, such as tourism and hospitality, will simply not be back up to speed by October.…
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20Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must be held accountable for coronavirus failings

Parliamentary news
Responding to Michael Gove's appearances on Sophy Ridge and Andrew Marr, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Michael Gove's media round further reveals a government in crisis. It is becoming clearer day by day that this Government is failing to respond effectively to the spread of coronavirus. “The fact that the damning report in the Sunday Times is only ‘slightly off beam’, will further alarm many. The Government must be held accountable for their initial failure to take this virus seriously, especially when it's clear the issues the country is now facing, such as the dire lack of PPE, was raised by many, including ourselves, months ago. “Today, the Liberal Democrats have put forward a support package that would help ensure our frontline workers get the protective equipment they need and…
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