Author Archives: Mark Valladares

I’m a veteran Party bureaucrat, having joined the old Liberal Party at university. And, perhaps not entirely surprisingly, I’ve held a range of positions since then - everything from Secretary-General of the Young Liberals to being a member of the ALDE Party‘s Financial Advisory Committee. Returning Officer, Presidential consort, committee secretary, you name it, I’ve probably done it. These days, I’m the Chair of the Parish Council for a (very) small rural village in Suffolk’s Gipping Valley, and a member of the Party’s Federal Council.

Welcome to my day: 6 January 2025 – notes from the Democratic People’s Republic of Elon…

So, for this Day Editor at least, another year starts and, in my case, in a country ill at ease with itself, the United States. It’s an insular and curiously transactional politics here, where the impact of its leadership is seen mostly in terms of what America does to others rather than in terms of how it is perceived by allies and enemies alike. There is no room for doubt or uncertainty in the minds of the radicals soon to be running this country.

Which inevitably brings me to the recent antics of Elon Musk, whose astonishing firehose of untruths and bombast on X, aimed at the politicians he feels he has bought and paid for, and those in other countries by whom he feels threatened, have done so much to alienate his “customers” internationally. There is clearly something wrong with him, or perhaps there always was and we just hadn’t appreciated it. But his apparent desire to overturn democratically elected governments that displease him isn’t going to go away anytime soon.

Labour seem determined to humour him, which is evidently going to fail. When someone is as astonishingly wealthy as Musk is, and so unused to being refused, he has no need to play by any of the usual rules of debate. And with a media platform under his control which is increasingly a meeting place for some of the most unpleasant elements of our society, the risks that individuals or groups act to advance his beliefs and wishes are genuine. As he has seemingly become more and more radicalised, so has his ability to radicalise others.

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3 January 2025 – today’s press releases

  • Shocking research reveals almost 4 in 5 car thefts go unsolved
  • Davey: Social care commission “long overdue”
  • Davey: social care review should be “done and dusted within a year”
  • Flu admissions: alarming consequences from lack of winterpoofing
  • SNP have starved local communities of funding for public toilets

Shocking research reveals almost 4 in 5 car thefts go unsolved

  • Shock data reveals that on average 78.5% of all car thefts go unsolved, a grand total of 24,837 in the quarter ending June 2024.
  • Liberal Democrats are urging the government to restore proper community policing, where officers have the time and resources to properly respond to neighbourhood crimes like car theft.

Data from the Home Office reveals the extent of the car theft epidemic in England and Wales, with almost 25,000 car thefts going unsolved in just three months.

The Metropolitan Police force reported the worst figures, with a staggering 90% of all reported car thefts going unsolved. South Yorkshire followed closely behind with 85% of theft going unsolved, Essex, Wiltshire, Sussex and Hertfordshire also all reported that at least 80% of car thefts were unsolved in the quarter ending June 2024.

By contrast, only 2.8% or just under 900 cases on average end with the criminal being charged or summonsed across the whole of England and Wales.

It follows previous Liberal Democrat research that revealed last year, police did not even attend the scene in over 70% of car theft cases.

The Liberal Democrats have blamed the previous Conservative government for these figures, arguing that years of ineffective resourcing has left frontline policing decimated. This includes the decision to take over 4,500 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) off the streets since 2015.

The party is calling on the government to urgently restore proper community policing, where officers have the time and resources to properly respond to neighbourhood crimes like car theft.

Commenting on the data, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Lisa Smart MP said:

Tens of thousands of victims across England and Wales are being left without the justice they deserve, with a staggeringly high number of car thefts going unsolved, and thieves getting away scot free.

This cannot continue. Every victim of a crime deserves to feel safe and protected by the police, but unfortunately after brutal cuts to community police officers that is far from the truth.

We urge the new government to change the course by getting tough on crime, investing properly in local neighbourhood policing and keeping communities safe.

Davey: Social care commission “long overdue”

Commenting on the Government’s annoucement of an independent commission into adult social care, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

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2 January 2025 – today’s press release

One in two Brits not confident police would turn up if their home was burgled

  • Poll reveals almost one in two adults would not be confident the police would turn up if their home was burgled or they were the victim of a car theft
  • Some Brits are putting off calling the police because they worried it will take too long for them to arrive or they won’t take the incident seriously
  • Lib Dems warn of “crisis in confidence” in police and call on government to restore public trust in policing

Nearly half of people say they are not confident that the police would turn up and properly investigate if they were the victim of crimes such as burglaries or car thefts, shocking new polling by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

46% of adults reported that they were not confident that the police would turn up and properly investigate if their home was burgled. This was even higher among those who were 65 or older, with 54% saying they were not confident.

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1 January 2025 – today’s press release

Over 1 million people were unable to contact their GP in the past month

1.1 million people who attempted to contact their GP in the past month could not get through, accounting for one in 20 of all people who tried, research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

Analysis of the latest ONS survey on health care by the Liberal Democrats found that in just one month, 4.8 million people who tried to reach their GP could not make contact on the same day. This accounts for close to a quarter (23%) of all people who tried.

Of these, 2.2 million patients had to wait several days to make contact, while over 1.1 million were completely unable to access their NHS GP in the month.

More than 2 million people said that they found it difficult to contact their GP in the past month, equating to 10.8% of all people who tried. The percentage of people who said they had a difficult experience rose when looking at those who tried making contact by telephone to 13.3%, or 1.2 million people.

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English Devolution White Paper: a view from the hyper-local sector

Mark Hofman’s interesting critique of the recent English Devolution White Paper is, effectively, a plea to retain decision making closer to communities. And, of course, devolving powers to a body further removed from the people it serves is in danger of resembling an oxymoron – larger councils, covering relatively vast geographic areas, are less likely to understand the needs of less homogeneous, less visible communities.

From the perspective of a Parish Council Chair though, what is most depressing about the White Paper is the way in which it completely disregards an entire tier of local government, the Town and Parish Councils of England. 10,000 councils and parish meetings, 100,000 councillors, all dismissed as an apparent irrelevance. And yet, the Government were so close to getting it.

The White Paper states:

“For hyper-local issues, communities should be empowered to make change happen – such as taking over ownership of treasured community assets, and working with civic society organisations to drive community improvements”

but in communities across the country, Town and Parish Councils are already doing just that. And, as principal authorities grapple with financial crises, our tier is increasingly taking on those facets of local provision which enhance our communities. From youth services in Yate, to community festivals in Hereford, and parks and public toilets in Taunton, local councils are stepping in where the Counties, Unitaries and Districts can’t or won’t. Even a council as small as my village of Creeting St Peter provides essential street lighting and a Speed Indicator Device. We develop Neighbourhood Plans which help to drive house building in our communities, something that this Government is particularly keen on. Does Angela Rayner recognise that? Like heck she does.

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Is now the time to really commit to the campaign to Rejoin?

I’ll freely admit that I’ve been a bit sceptical about the campaign to rejoin the European Union. Not because I don’t believe that we should be within the fold rather than outside it but rather, I felt that we needed to be clear as a nation about what we really wanted of the relationship. Also, having put our neighbours through the psychodrama that was Brexit, they needed to be confident that we really meant it before attempting to negotiate a return.

The Party itself has struggled with determining a campaigning stance. Those who joined the Party as a campaigning vehicle to overturn the 2016 referendum have mostly sought an avowedly pro-Rejoin stance, whilst others, more cautious about losing potential voters, have soft-pedalled such a stance whilst indicating their support for an eventual return. The fairly disastrous campaigns of 2017 and 2019 reinforced the sense of caution.

But the news that polling by the European Council for Foreign Relations suggests that British voters are now willing to accept free movement as part of the conditions for rejoining the Single Market, perhaps changes the game.

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16 December 2024 – the overnight press releases

  • English Devolution plan: Deafening silence on social care
  • Revealed: 15 years of NHS ambulance time wasted already this winter – up from 10.5 years last year

English Devolution plan: Deafening silence on social care

Commenting ahead of government’s English Devolution plan, Liberal Democrat Local Government spokesperson Vikki Slade MP said:

The deafening silence from the government on the social care crisis is hugely concerning.

Council budgets are on the brink. The previous Conservative government pushed so many local authorities to the edge of bankruptcy.

Without properly investing in social care more of the vital services that councils provide will disappear to those who desperately need them.

Revealed:

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8 December 2024 – today’s press releases

  • Ambulance delays crisis: Streeting must make a statement to Parliament
  • Syria: Assad must now face justice for his crimes

Ambulance delays crisis: Streeting must make a statement to Parliament

Responding to reports that heart attack patients are being advised to make their own way to hospital while six of England’s ten ambulance trusts are at risk of service failure, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan said:

The shocking reports on the state of ambulance services are extremely concerning, and show the dire situation in which the Conservative government has left so many of our vital NHS services.

Lack of services and wait

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Welcome to my day: 2 December 2024 – is Elon Musk coming for us all?

If, like me, you’ve been an observer of American politics over the decades, one thing that is glaringly obvious is the amount of money that washes through the system, paying for advertising, cadres of professional staff and all of the paraphernalia that make electoral politics increasingly a game for the wealthy or those with access to the wealthy. One candidate in a Senate or Gubernatorial race can, if they’re unlucky, spend as much as the British political parties combined in a General Election campaign.

We already have cause for concern over the influence of a small number of multi-millionaires on our politics. The Conservative Party has become increasingly dependent on a small number of people to finance its campaigns, leading to suggestions of Russian influence and interference. And, of course, there have been plenty of accusations made regarding Nigel Farage’s links with senior Russian officials. But the cost of campaigns has increased, and with party memberships in historic decline, relying on membership fees is a one way journey to financial, and thus political, oblivion.

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30 November – 1 December – the weekend’s press releases

  • Pat McFadden: government’s targets will be meaningless unless they reverse disastrous mistakes
  • Scot Lib Dems reveal 27,954 empty homes across Scotland
  • Key mental health targets breached for 168,000 people

Pat McFadden: government’s targets will be meaningless unless they reverse disastrous mistakes

Responding to Pat McFadden on the Laura Kuenssberg show on the government’s plan for change, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

The government’s targets will be utterly meaningless unless they reverse the disastrous mistakes made so far.

Scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment will force vulnerable pensioners to choose between heating and eating and their family farm tax risks a lost generation of farmers.

Ministers must swallow their pride, recognise the damage that these proposals will do and scrap the family farm tax and reinstate Winter Fuel Payments.

Scot Lib Dems reveal 27,954 empty homes across Scotland

Scottish Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Paul McGarry has today accused the SNP of a “massive failure” to tackle the housing crisis after new research by his party uncovered that almost 28,000 homes are lying empty across Scotland.

A freedom of information request submitted by Scottish Liberal Democrats asked all 32 of Scotland’s local councils how many homes were classed as long-term vacant, meaning they have been empty for longer than 6 months.

The request found that:

  • Across the 30 councils with data on how many homes are long-term vacant, there are 27,954 long-term vacant properties.
  • There are 3,093 long-term vacant homes in Edinburgh, 2,929 in Aberdeenshire, 2,801 in Glasgow and 2,584 in Argyll & Bute.
  • Of the councils with data for how long they had been vacant, 1,420 had been vacant for longer than a year, while 2,609 had been vacant for more than 5 years and 5,937 more than 10 years.
  • In 2023/24, only 579 properties were brought back into use in Glasgow- just 20% of the number of long-term vacant homes.
  • In 2023/24, just 71 properties were brought back into use in Dumfries & Galloway, despite the number of long-term vacant properties being 1,211.
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29 November 2024 – today’s press releases

  • Bank of England: Ministers need to set out steps to Trump-proof economy
  • McArthur urges MPs to back assisted dying bill
  • McArthur expresses delight as UK Parliament backs Assisted Dying bill

Bank of England: Ministers need to set out steps to Trump-proof economy

Responding to the Bank of England’s fiscal stability report which warned of the potential impact of the impending Donald Trump Presidency on the economy, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

After years of Conservative economic vandalism our economy has seen sluggish growth and people have been hammered by spiralling mortgage rates.

The incoming Trump administration could cause yet more damage and the new government needs to urgently act to prepare our economy to prevent this.

Ministers need to set out the steps they are taking to Trump-proof our economy and ensure that people will not be hit with another round of financial hardship.

McArthur urges MPs to back assisted dying bill

Speaking ahead of the debate and vote on Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill in the UK Parliament, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has urged MPs to back the bill in the first debate and vote on end-of-life choices in the UK Parliament since 2015.

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25 November 2024 – today’s press release

IFS family farm tax: Government needs to swallow their pride and axe the tax

Responding to the IFS suggesting that the Government changes its proposals to farmland inheritance tax, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

The Government hid behind the IFS to try and justify this disastrous policy. That very same organisation is now telling them that their own proposals need an overhaul.

It would be beggars belief for the government to continue to push forward with these stupid plans.

They need to swallow their pride, realise the damage this family farm tax will do and axe the tax.

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25-28 November 2024 – this week in the Lords

There are three Bills before their Lordships’ House this week:

It’s a good week for Liberal Democrat Oral Questions, with one on each day;

  • On Monday, John Russell asks the Government for its plans to increase the number of homes fitted with solar panels
  • Jonny Oates asks what representations are being made to the Israeli Government of visa restrictions on international aid workers to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on Tuesday
  • Wednesday sees Dorothy Thornhill ask what is being done to encourage landlords back in to the long-term private rental sector
  • and on Thursday, Mike German will be seeking clarity on the Government’s plans to close the controversial Wethersfield site currently used to house asylum seekers

There’s an interesting debate on Thursday, on the case against politicisation of the Civil Service, at the behest of former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler of Brockwell. Tom McNally, Claire Tyler and William Wallace are currently expected to speak from our benches, whilst David Frost will utter some idiocy or other from the Conservative benches. I suspect that the masses ranks of former mandarins might have a thing or two to teach him still…

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23-24 November 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

  • Three in five Brits expect food prices to rise because of family farm tax
  • Wendy Chamberlain appointed carer’s charity Vice President

Three in five Brits expect food prices to rise because of family farm tax

Shocking new research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats reveals that almost 60% of Brits expect food prices to rise because of the Family Farm Tax announced in the Budget. The Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to reject the government’s Finance Bill, given the impact of the budget on family farms.

The ways in which Brits are planning to cope with the price increase are even more worrying, with almost half (44%) of those expecting rises admitting they will buy cheaper alternatives if food prices do rise.

A further 35% of those expecting rises reveal that they will cut back on the food they buy as a direct result of the tax hike revealed by the government in the budget.

The poll reveals the serious effect food price rises could have on people’s health. With 18% of those expecting rises revealing they are likely to buy less fresh fruit and vegetables if prices go up because of the family farm tax.

The impact on small businesses and the high street is also apparent, with 20% of this group saying they will look to shop from bigger supermarkets. This is another hit to small businesses already concerned about the rise in employers’ NIC increase, and the impact the bus fare cap may have on people visiting their local high street.

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22 November 2024 – today’s press releases

  • Davey: NICs hit is creating a perfect storm for the care sector
  • Davey on Ofgem energy price rise: Freeze energy bills and reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
  • Chamberlain calls for energy bills to be frozen and Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated after energy price rise

Davey: NICs hit is creating a perfect storm for the care sector

Analysis released by the Nuffield Trust today (Friday 22 Nov) has found that the changes to Employer’s NICs look set to cost the adult social care sector over £900m next year, more than wiping out the extra funds allocated to social care at the Budget. The analysis by Nuffield Trust also estimates that the 18,000 independent organisations providing adult social care in England will be faced with increased costs of an estimated £2.8bn in the next financial year, meaning many businesses – especially smaller ones – are at risk of going bust.

Responding, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:

These damning figures lay bare the devastating impact of the National Insurance hike on social care. The government must immediately do the right thing and exempt care providers from this ill-thought through tax hike.

This hit is creating a perfect storm for a care sector already damaged by the Conservative party’s neglect. Now there is a real danger small care providers will simply not survive.

Ultimately, it’s people in care who will suffer the consequences. The Chancellor must urgently act to help our social care sector before it’s too late.

Davey on Ofgem energy price rise: Freeze energy bills and reinstate Winter Fuel Payments

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has today called on the government to freeze energy bills so that Ofgem’s newly announced rise in the price cap will not go ahead.

He also called on the government to reinstate Winter Fuel Payments or risk pensioners being “left out in the cold” this winter.

Ofgem announced today that the energy price cap will rise by 1.2% to £1,738 a year in January, following the previous 10% rise in October. The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to cancel this rise in energy bills so that households don’t face even higher energy costs in the new year.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

Enough is enough. This further rise in energy prices cannot go ahead. As we enter another cold and difficult winter, many people simply can’t afford to see their heating bills go up yet again.

The disastrous government cuts to the Winter Fuel Payments coupled with this energy price rise will be a hammer blow for millions of vulnerable pensioners this winter.

The new government must step in now, cancel this bill rise and reinstate Winter Fuel Payments to stop families and pensioners being left out in the cold this winter.

This is a government that has pledged to bring down energy bills, it is time for them to live up to their word.

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21 November 2024 – today’s press releases

  • John Prescott: his legacy will be remembered far into the future
  • Ofwat on water bill rises: once again the regulator is proving itself unfit for purpose
  • ICC arrest warrants for Hamas and Netanyahu: UK government must uphold ruling
  • Carers UK research: Government must recognise the critical role carers play
  • Rennie comments on long-awaited Glen Sannox delivery
  • Minister refuses to apologise for wasting £30m on social care failure

John Prescott: his legacy will be remembered far into the future

Responding to the news of John Prescott passing away, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

I am deeply saddened by the news of John Prescott passing away and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

John Prescott will be remembered as a towering figure in British politics and his unwavering tenacity on the causes he championed should be a lesson to us all.

His influence on our modern society will still be felt for years to come and his legacy remembered far into the future.

Ofwat on water bill rises: once again the regulator is proving itself unfit for purpose

Responding to comments by the Ofwat Chief Executive on the Today Programme this morning where he said that water bills will likely go up by more than initially expected, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

Customers have been forced to watch whilst filthy sewage wrecks their local environment as they pay through the nose for the pleasure.

Once again the regulator is proving itself utterly unfit for purpose.

The whole industry needs to be ripped up from top to bottom, overseen by a new regulator with real powers to clamp down on these polluting firms.

ICC arrest warrants for Hamas and Netanyahu: UK government must uphold ruling

Responding to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP said:

The previous Conservative Government denigrated the International Criminal Court and undermined the UK’s standing on the world stage. It is vital that the new Government complies with our obligations under international law by committing to upholding this ruling, including enforcing arrest warrants.

The ICC must be free to conduct its work without fear or favour. This is a very significant decision by the court. It reflects the devastating impact that the war between Hamas and Israel has had on many civilians.

We urgently need an immediate bilateral ceasefire to put a stop to the humanitarian devastation in Gaza, get the hostages home and open the door to a two-state solution.

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21 November 2024 – the overnight press releases

  • Carers UK research: government needs to recognise the critical role carers play
  • Health survey reveals impact of Long Covid on Scots
  • Cole-Hamilton comments on Audit Scotland report

Carers UK research: government needs to recognise the critical role carers play

Responding to Carers UK research putting the economic value of care provided by unpaid carers at £184 billion a year, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

I have been a carer most of my life, first for my mum when I was young and now for my severely disabled son John, so I know how challenging it can be, but also how rewarding.

These findings show just how much carers contribute to our society, but also how hard it is for carers to get the support they need.

While the Liberal Democrats helped to secure a new right to carer’s leave, the last Conservative government took carers for granted and left them to fend for themselves. It even hounded thousands of carers for repayments of Carer’s Allowance caused by the DWP’s own broken system.

The government now needs to fully recognise the critical role carers play and end the years of neglect under the Conservatives. That includes helping carers to juggle work with caring responsibilities, by introducing paid carer’s leave and fixing Carer’s Allowance so it doesn’t penalise work.

Health survey reveals impact of Long Covid on Scots

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today said the SNP’s response to Long Covid has been ‘almost non-existent’ despite sufferers telling a government health survey about the toll it was taking on their lives.

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20 November 2024 – today’s press releases

  • Dentists left in the dark as government fails to assess impact of NICs hikes
  • Thames Water: we need to see an outright ban on exec bonuses whilst sewage scandal drags on
  • Cole-Hamilton attacks national insurance impact on GPs and care providers

Dentists left in the dark as government fails to assess impact of NICs hikes

The Liberal Democrats have revealed that the government made no assessment of its recent tax hike on NHS dentists.

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Liberal Democrats, Labour government minister Stephen Kinnock responded that “no assessments have been made yet on the potential impact of an increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions on dental practices’ finances.”

The government announced at the budget that it would increase employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) next year but has faced a backlash from health and care providers who will receive no extra support.

Whilst the government has confirmed that NHS hospitals and secondary care will be exempt, GPs, pharmacies, hospices and NHS dentists will not. This is putting financial pressure on these vital services and could force them to cut appointments and staff numbers.

The British Dental Association has slammed the move and the government’s failure to carry out an impact assessment, commenting that “it’s utterly reckless to heap new costs on struggling practices without even considering the impact.” NHS dentists across the country are warning that they will have to cut services for patients or even reduce staff numbers.

One practice in Tyneside has said that “it’s another nail in the coffin of NHS Dentistry.” Another practice warned “the recent changes to Employers NI and raising of the living wage will lead to bankruptcy and breakdowns.”

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to exempt NHS dentists and those providing vital health and care services, including GP surgeries, social care providers, hospices, charitable providers of health and care, and pharmacies, from this tax rise.

Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, Helen Morgan MP said:

The government has pulled the rug out from under crucial public health services without thinking twice.

It’s shocking that this careless decision has been taken with no regard to the impact it would have on NHS dentists. Many will have no choice but to cut services and staff numbers.

NHS dentists and other health and care providers must be exempted from the Chancellor’s tax increase. Without reversing the hike, the government’s plan to rescue our health service is a plan in name only.

Chair of the British Dental Association, Eddie Crouch said:

When millions can’t access NHS dentistry it’s utterly reckless to heap new costs on struggling practices without even considering the impact.

The Treasury failed to grasp that primary care is delivered by thousands of small businesses. Each requires immediate answers on how they’re expected to balance their books.

Thames Water: we need to see an outright ban on exec bonuses whilst sewage scandal drags on

Responding to reporting that the regulator Ofwat is expected to say on Thursday a £195,000 bonus awarded to the boss of Thames Water should not be paid for by customers, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

The fact that Thames Water is paying out any bonuses in the first place is an utter disgrace.

It is a welcome shock that Ofwat is actually acting to protect bill paying customers for once after proving completely toothless in cracking down on these polluting firms for years.

Even when the regulator does act against this broken industry it does so in the meekest possible terms. A Chief Exec receiving hundreds of thousands of pounds in bonuses whilst the firm they run is on the brink of collapse is beggars belief.

We need to see an outright ban on water company bosses bonuses whilst this scandal drags on and Ofwat replaced by a new regulator with real teeth to crack down on this industry once and for all.

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11 November 2024 – today’s press releases

  • Almost 1 in 6 calls in NHS 24 go unanswered
  • Martin stretching climate credibility with watering down comments
  • Planning applications fall across almost every category

Almost 1 in 6 calls in NHS 24 go unanswered

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today said that every corner of our NHS is suffering under SNP mismanagement as he revealed that almost 1 in 6 calls to NHS 24 went unanswered last year.

A Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information request revealed that in 2023/24, 16.5% of calls to the NHS 24-111 service went unanswered.

The freedom of information request also shows that in 2023/24, the longest wait for a call to be answered was more than 3 hours in January 2024. The average wait for a call to be answered was almost 28 minutes in March 2024.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

As these figures show, too many calls are going unanswered and people are facing very long waits before they get through to someone who can help.

Under the SNP’s mismanagement, this is another part of our NHS that is crying out for help. From excruciating waits at A&E to record numbers of people stuck in hospital, patients are suffering and staff are beyond breaking point.

Scottish Liberal Democrats want a complete overhaul of the SNP’s failed NHS recovery plan. We need a new plan that will tackle burnout among staff and address core problems, such as the crises in mental health and social care. That’s how we can ease pressures across the rest of the health service and get everyone the care they desperately deserve.

Martin stretching climate credibility with watering down comments

Responding to Scotland’s Net Zero Secretary, Gillian Martin, telling the BBC that the SNP government haven’t been ‘watering down’ their climate targets, despite choosing to scrap key emissions goals just weeks ago, Scottish Liberal Democrat climate crisis spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

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9-10 November 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

  • Remembrance Sunday: we must never forget their sacrifice
  • Over two million GP appointments at risk due to National Insurance tax hike
  • NICs Rise: Govt must invest in healthcare
  • Rennie comments on primary school teacher training cut
  • Rennie: RAAC threatens to wreck college budgets
  • 1.3m school working days lost to mental ill health

Remembrance Sunday: we must never forget their sacrifice

Commenting on Remembrance Sunday, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

Remembrance Sunday is such an important day for all of us. We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, for our peace and for the future we all share.

We must never forget their sacrifice nor can we forget the veterans, many of whom will march past the Cenotaph today. They still bear the scars, both mental and physical, from their service, and our country can and must do much more to support them.

Over two million GP appointments at risk due to National Insurance tax hike

The rise in employers’ National Insurance Contributions at the Budget could end up costing GP surgeries the equivalent of over two million appointments a year, Liberal Democrat analysis has revealed.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to exempt GPs and other health and care providers from the rise, but so far ministers have refused to do so. The party is seeking to use amendments to upcoming legislation on the Budget to exempt GPs from the National Insurance tax rise.

The Institute of General Practice Management has estimated that the rise will mean the average GP surgery’s tax bill will go up by around £20,000 a year. This could end up costing GPs an estimated £125.5 million a year in additional costs, for all 6,275 GP practices in England.

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7 November 2024 – today’s press releases

  • ONS GP Survey: Two in five who could not get through to GP did nothing about symptoms
  • Interest rate cut: Govt must work to deliver growth, especially through small businesses
  • Davey to visit Ukraine charity: “Leaders across Europe must stand up to Putin”

ONS GP Survey: Two in five who could not get through to GP did nothing about symptoms

Responding to the latest ONS Survey, which showed that two in five (39%) people who were unable to contact their GP in the past month opted to do nothing about their ailment, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, Helen Morgan MP said:

Our primary care services are at breaking point. Patients are left completely without options, instead letting their issues get worse when they are unable to get the care they need.

The blame for this shocking state of affairs lies squarely with the Conservative Party whose years of shameful neglect has broken our NHS.

It is now down to the new government to rise to this challenge and rescue our health service. That is why it is so disappointing to see that instead of supporting our GPs they are piling more pressure on them with their national insurance hike.

The new government needs to urgently rethink these proposals, scrap the GP penalty and get patients the care they deserve.

Interest rate cut: Govt must work to deliver growth, especially through small businesses

Commenting after the Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4.75%, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

This is welcome news for families across the country who are still living with the consequences of Conservative economic failure.

Notwithstanding, millions of households are still struggling with sky high mortgage payments two years on from the Conservatives’ disastrous mini-budget.

The burden of fixing the Conservatives’ mess has fallen on struggling households for too long. As rates are cut, the new Government must work to deliver growth in the economy, especially through small businesses and high streets.

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Welcome to my day: 4 November 2024 – “I’ve got a ticket to ride”

I found myself enjoying some free bus rides yesterday. And no, I don’t have a concessionary bus pass – I’m not that old… yet – but our local Transport Museum here in Ipswich was having a vintage running day, with a collection of vintage buses operating three routes around the town. It all seemed somehow appropriate given the controversy over bus fares this week.

In choosing to freeze fuel duty whilst partially removing the fare cap on bus journeys, Rachel Reeves made a curious choice. Whilst yes, it will be popular with motorists, cheaper bus fares have been a boon to those outside major cities where the fare cap had little or no impact – in London, for example, the flat fare is £1.75. And, by shifting the financial incentives further towards cars, it hardly sends out a message that the Government is taking Net Zero seriously.

But it’s just another clumsy move by a a government which seems capable of little else, at least as far as the media are concerned. Even setting aside the inherent bias of much of the mainstream media though, an administration which came into power offering competence and integrity has burnt through quite a lot of credibility remarkably early in the piece. And, whilst the levels of incompetence and “sleaze” are minor compared to the chaotic shambles that was the Conservative government post-2019, expectations were rather higher.

Posted in Op-eds | 5 Comments

2-3 November 2024 – the weekend’s press releases

  • Over 9000 farms in Labour constituencies could be hit by “tractor tax” as Lib Dems call on govt to scrap the hike
  • Partygate comments: Clear the Conservative party hasn’t learnt anything

Over 9000 farms in Labour constituencies could be hit by “tractor tax” as Lib Dems call on govt to scrap the hike

An estimated 9,079 farms in Labour constituencies could be hit by the “tractor tax” Liberal Democrat analysis has revealed. Liberal Democrats have called on the government to scrap the planned changes to inheritance tax relief for farms announced in this week’s Budget.

The worst affected Labour seats were Penrith and …

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1 November 2024 – today’s press releases

  • GP and care home tax hike: Govt must not make same mistakes as Conservatives
  • Ed Davey warns inheritance tax change could create ‘lost generation’ of farmers
  • Conservative Leadership: contest has shown refusal to take responsibility for the damage they did
  • NICs hike: Govt must scrap “GP penalty” immediately
  • Cole-Hamilton responds to Edinburgh Halloween disorder
  • Cole-Hamilton: Next UK Conservative leader will not stand up for Scotland

GP and care home tax hike: Govt must not make same mistakes as Conservatives

Commenting on reports that GPs and care homes have voiced concerns about the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions announced in the budget, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

After years of mismanagement by the former Conservative government, this budget was an opportunity to rescue GP surgeries from years of neglect.

We are urging the Chancellor to change course, and exempt GPs from a tax hike. This new government must not make the same mistakes as the Conservatives, fixing the GP crisis is crucial for saving the NHS.

If people can be checked quicker, fewer will end up in hospital for treatment. That’s better for patients, better for the NHS and better for taxpayers.

Ed Davey warns inheritance tax change could create ‘lost generation’ of farmers

  • Davey calls on the Chancellor to reverse changes made to farmers’ inheritance tax
  • The party has raised the alarm over concerns of a ‘lost generation’ of farmers
  • Around 70,000 farms will be impacted by the changes to the Agricultural Property Relief scheme
  • Lib Dem analysis of the Autumn Budget points to a £70m cut to DEFRA’s food and farming budget

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has raised concerns over the Autumn Budget creating a ‘lost generation’ of farmers with a double hammer blow to rural communities. It comes as he visits an agricultural college in Maidenhead today with Lib Dem MP Joshua Reynolds.

Analysis by the party raised fears of a £70 million cut to DEFRA’s food and farming budget hidden in the fine print of the Chancellor’s plans, meaning even less government support for farmers who are already struggling after years of chaos and uncertainty caused by the Conservative Party.

In the Budget, the Chancellor also announced sweeping changes to the Agricultural Property Relief scheme which will impact around 70,000 farms. The Liberal Democrats have raised serious concerns that the changes will force many to sell up small family-owned farms – with young people in rural communities across the country robbed of a future in farming as a result.

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31 October 2024 – today’s press releases

  • Ed Davey: Exempt social care from National Insurance tax hike
  • Budget: online gambling tax “a missed opportunity” for fairer NHS and care funding
  • Govt makes new commitment to create a ‘national cancer plan’ at Lib Dem led debate
  • Scot Lib Dems respond to government ditching pilot of juryless trials

Ed Davey: Exempt social care from National Insurance tax hike

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called on the government to exempt social care from the employer’s National Insurance tax rise.

The Chancellor has provided extra funding for the NHS and other public sector organisations to cover the cost of the tax rise. However, the vast majority of care providers are private and so won’t benefit from this help.

98% of care providers – 18,000 organisations – are small employers. The Liberal Democrats have said care providers including care homes and those providing care in people’s homes should be exempt from the National Insurance tax hike.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

Hammering small businesses with a tax hike is the wrong choice. It will hit people’s wages and jobs, but it also risks worsening the NHS crisis by hiking costs for care providers and pushing some to the brink.

It just shows that yet again the government seems to have forgotten about care. At the very least, the Chancellor should be exempting social care from this costly jobs tax.

Budget: online gambling tax “a missed opportunity” for fairer NHS and care funding

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey is calling on the Government to double the tax on online gambling firms as a “much fairer” way to raise money for the NHS and social care.

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Is Angela Rayner talking about a revolution… in hyper-local government?

There are times, few and far between perhaps, when you suddenly find that you might get a bunch of things that you’ve been campaigning for a long time to get. You lobby Ministers and opposition politicians and you keep at it, even if the responses aren’t at all positive. And then, something changes…

Angela Rayner’s speech to the Local Government Association Conference last week was, perhaps unexpectedly, one of those moments for the sector I now hold a leadership role in, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC). In her speech, she announced a plethora of changes which, if genuine, will give powers back to local government that have been grabbed by the centre over nearly a decade of Conservative administrations.

Multi-year funding settlements, better support for local authorities in financial difficulties, it all sounds very promising, even if the proof of the pudding might have to wait until Wednesday’s Budget.

Posted in Local government | Tagged and | 2 Comments

30 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases

  • Budget: Family farm tax will hit rural communities
  • Welsh Liberal Democrats comment in advance of Budget
  • Scot Lib Dems respond to UK budget
  • Budget: Family farm tax will be utterly devastating for rural Scotland

Budget: Family farm tax will hit rural communities

Responding to the Government’s changes to Agricultural Property Relief, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

This is a family farm tax which risks ringing the death knell for local farmers and the small businesses who rely on them. Small family-owned farms will also be hit by this and will be forced to sell up, with young people robbed of their opportunity to farm.

After years of the Conservatives taking rural communities for granted, it is deeply disappointing to see more of the same from this new government.

We’ll be fighting tooth and nail to protect family farms from these changes. Liberal Democrats backed British farmers by demanding an extra £1bn to support them during the election, and we’ll keep being a strong voice for our rural communities.

Welsh Liberal Democrats comment in advance of Budget

Commenting ahead of the 2024 UK Government budget, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

The UK Government have the perfect opportunity to begin fixing the mess created by their Conservative predecessors.

Sky-high waiting lists are currently preventing thousands from receiving urgently needed healthcare, while out of control business rates are placing unnecessary pressures on our local businesses.

We want more money for our struggling NHS and social care services, so that the people of Wales are able to access healthcare services when and wherever they’re needed.

We want to see burden of any tax rises fall on the big banks, fossil fuel industries and big tech, not on our small local businesses.

By delivering a budget that works for the people of Wales, one which will support our public services and economy, we can begin to rebuild our economy for a brighter future.

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29 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases

  • Social Care Crisis: We need cross party talks now
  • Cole-Hamilton: SNP have left A&E in permanent crisis
  • Cole-Hamilton comments as thousands wait on social care support
  • More than a quarter of kids have tooth decay

Social Care Crisis: We need cross party talks now

Responding to Wes Streeting’s comments on the morning round about the social care crisis, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

The Government must urgently start cross-party talks on social care before it is too late.

The previous Conservative Government turned a blind eye to the crisis for far too long, leaving the care sector in the gutter.

This must be a budget to save the NHS from the brink of collapse, and that cannot happen without a proper plan to fix social care.

Cole-Hamilton: SNP have left A&E in permanent crisis

Responding to new figures showing only 63% of people attending A&E were seen within the 4 hour target in the week ending 20th October, while 3,408 people waited over 8 hours and 1,546 waited over 12 hours, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

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28 October 2024 – Monday’s press releases

  • NHS Budget announcement: “deafening silence” on social care cannot continue
  • Starmer speech: burden of fixing Conservative mess must not fall on families and small businesses
  • Lib Dems: Labour’s bus tax will hit communities
  • Jardine: UK Budget must help fix the NHS and care
  • Rennie responds to bizarre Findlay speech

NHS Budget announcement: “deafening silence” on social care cannot continue

Responding to the government’s announcement that there are funding plans to deliver two million extra NHS appointments, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

The new funding is of course welcome but the deafening silence on social care cannot be allowed to continue.

Patients have

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28-31 October 2024 – this week in the Lords

Having slightly altered the layout last week, let’s see if we can keep to it this week.

There are three Bills before their Lordships’ House this week:

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