20 Most Recent Stories From Liberal Democrats : All News Feed

Mon 11th Feb 2008:

Government spends almost half a billion on redundancies - Lord Oakeshott.

The Government spent nearly £500m making people redundant as part of the Gershon Review including a £1.1m payout shared by two people, the Liberal Democrats revealed today. The true cost could be even higher as the Home Office and MoD were unable to give figures. The figures were revealed in Parliamentary Answers to Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, Lord (Matthew) Oakeshott. Commenting, Lord Oakeshott said: "The Government has thrown half a billion pounds of taxpayers' cash at civil servants to pay them not to work. The costs to the taxpayer are only too clear. "The benefits are vague and stretching into the future. No business that runs its redundancy programme like this would last ten minutes. "Two treasury bigwigs really hit the jackpot, splitting over a million pounds between them. Did 67 senior managers at the Treasury really deserve golden goodbyes averaging over £220,000 each, on top of their generous pensions?"The Home Office and MoD are totally incompetent for failing to give answers, when other big departments can give us these vital figures. "No wonder the Home Office loses track of who to deport if it can't even count its own redundancies. The MoD doesn't seem to have a clue what 19,000 non-retiring leavers have cost the taxpayer."

Fri 8th Feb 2008:

Financial discipline and tax cuts will steer Britain through economic crisis - Clegg.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg will today call for a new era of financial discipline, an end to tax rises, and an economic stimulus package of tax cuts for low and middle income earners, to steer Britain through the coming economic turmoil. You can read the speech in full hereHe will extend the Liberal Democrat spending review to find up to £20 billion of government spending that can be scrapped, with the money reallocated to Liberal Democrat priorities. Commenting on the need to spend more efficiently and tax more fairly, he will say: "The Liberal Democrat approach to the economy, and to public spending, will always be responsible. First and foremost, we need to accept that our fiscal position is in such a mess that we must be extremely firm on public spending. "There isn't much scope in fiscal or monetary terms for a stimulus package. But we can restructure our tax system to give tax breaks to low and middle-income families, to support consumer spending. "Overall, the tax burden should not rise. But it's also vital that we shift the burden of taxation away from hard work and onto pollution. The Liberal Democrats would cut national income tax by 4p." Commenting on the need to prevent an epidemic of repossessions, he will say:   "We must ensure that the rise in home repossessions we have already seen does not become an epidemic. If we don't, fire sales will turn a housing market slowdown in to a full-on slump, with potentially dire consequences. "We must take steps to ensure that repossession is only ever a last resort - by making financial advice compulsory at the point repossession claims are issued. Leading banks should agree practices to prevent large-scale repossessions - like allowing those in arrears because of circumstances beyond their control to move to shared ownership arrangements." Commenting on increasing competition in the banking sector, he will say: "We need to look at banking regulation in the round. The truth is, the British banking industry is cosseted and closed. It is not truly competitive. For years it's been almost impossible to get a new banking licence. New banks are usually just a subsidiary of existing banks. "To make true competition possible without jeopardising customers, deposit protection needs to be beefed up, and widely publicised, to protect individuals' deposits and give them confidence in the banking system. "Deposit protection should be peer-funded by the banks themselves, as in the US. And then we need to look at making banking truly competitive again: allowing new entrants more easily and allowing failure too."You can read the speech in full here

No one should wait longer than 13 weeks for mental health treatment - Clegg.

In a key speech on health service reform today, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg unveiled plans to guarantee everyone suffering from mental health problems a first appointment for treatment within 13 weeks of referral. You can read the speech in full hereThe plans were launched as the Party reveals new figures showing that the average time for those people waiting longest for mental health treatment is over seven months, with some people waiting over three years for treatment such as psychotherapy and counselling. A survey of Mental Health Trusts in England by the Liberal Democrats shows that waiting times vary enormously according to region and type of treatment (see attached spreadsheet for breakdown). Psychotherapy has some of the longest waits in the country with one area recording waits for an assessment of more than three years. Meanwhile record numbers of anti-depressants are being prescribed, with the number of prescriptions to children having quadrupled in just one decade. Speaking at The Guardian Public Services Summit this morning, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: "When it comes to mental health, the Government’s record is one of shameful neglect. Mental health services have commanded less favourable coverage, less government attention, and less money. "Medical professionals want to prescribe effective, long-term solutions, but in the absence of those solutions it is no wonder record levels of drugs are being prescribed. "Britain has become the true Prozac Nation. We must cut the number of anti-depressants prescribed by doctors. Medication does have a role to play in tackling mental health problems, but they should not be the default option because of a lack of access to psychological therapies." Attacking the waiting times for mental health treatment, Nick Clegg said: "Why is it that our television screens are full this week, rightly, with the suffering of battery fed chickens but silent on the shameful way we treat the mentally ill in our midst? "The most vulnerable people are waiting scandalously long for access to treatment when all the evidence shows that early intervention is vital. "I am calling for nothing less than a revolution in how we treat mental illness. Within four years I want our health service to guarantee that no one will wait longer than thirteen weeks for their first treatment. The NHS must deliver that service, or the patient will be entitled to go private." Pledging to end mixed sex wards in mental health services, Nick Clegg added: "The Government has promised for over a decade that it will move to single sex wards. But its failure is hitting some of the most vulnerable women. "Under our plans, every service user will be entitled to safe and secure accommodation that meets their needs, and that includes single sex wards in mental health services."You can read the speech in full here

Tue 12th Feb 2008:

Thousands of pupils still being failed - Laws.

Commenting on today’s announcement from Ofsted that more schools are in special measures than this time last year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws said: "There are still far too many schools failing thousands of pupils across the country. "It is a particular concern that many of the pupil referral units which are supposed to be serving some of the most challenging pupils are still badly underperforming. "The current shortage of headteachers and a fundamentally unfair funding system is always going to hold back some of the schools in difficulty."

Action needed to tackle woeful under representation of minorities - Clegg.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has written to Keith Vaz supporting his 10 Minute Rule Bill to allow for the creation of shortlists on the grounds of ethnicity in the selection of parliamentary candidates. He has also said that the Liberal Democrats may have to consider all-minority shortlists in the future if the party cannot increase the number of MPs from ethnic minorities. Commenting, Nick Clegg said: "We need urgent action to tackle the woeful under-representation of Britain’s ethnic minorities in Parliament. All political parties are letting Britain down. If we want to represent modern Britain, modern Britain must be represented in us. "Legislating to allow all-minority shortlists is a crucial step, which should be used as a backstop to force parties to act now. We can no longer tolerate a political system that does not represent Britain as a whole. "The Liberal Democrats have taken a number of steps to boost ethnic representation in our ranks: the creation of a diversity fund; the employment of dedicated staff to increase candidate diversity; and plans to establish a Leadership Academy to give targeted assistance to candidates. But we need to go further, faster. "That is why I believe, if existing and planned resources fail to make the difference in the coming years, the Liberal Democrats will be duty bound to consider using the powers in this proposed Bill."

Air marshals must be based on evidence not hunch - Huhne.

Responding to the Home Secretary’s remarks that she is considering a request from the US Government for air marshals on flights from the UK, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said: "The decision on whether to introduce armed air marshals on all flights from Europe to the US should be based on passenger safety requirements, not strong-arm tactics by the American government. "If we’re going to have guns on planes it should be because new evidence tells us they are required and their benefits outweigh their dangers, not to satisfy the demands of a partner in an increasingly one-sided security relationship."

American justice has been brought into disrepute - Clegg.

Commenting on the news that six Guantanamo Bay detainees have been charged over the September 11th terror attacks, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: "Whether these six are innocent or guilty, US justice has been brought into disrepute. It has taken the US years to put any trial process at all in place. The fact that the cases will be heard in a military tribunal is a further disturbing development. The cases must be heard in a civilian court."September 11th was an atrocious and appalling attack on civilians, but it was also an attack on western values and it is vital that we do not abandon those values in our response. Resorting to torture, military tribunals and the death penalty all play into the hands of those that seek martyrdom."  

Mon 11th Feb 2008:

Rural areas suffer in Labour's library cull - Foster.

Liberal Democrat research released today reveals how remote areas are losing library facilities as resources are focused on London and the South East. The research shows: London loses a library every 10 weeks on average, while the North West loses one every three weeks. A library in the capital is open for an average of 10 hours longer each week than a library outside the capital. There are 10% fewer mobile libraries than there were in 2001. Half of all library closures last year happened in the north. London was the only area in the country not to see more libraries close than open last year. In England, an average of more than one library per week closes. The number of people borrowing one item per year or more from libraries has declined by a quarter since 2001.  Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said: "Ed Balls told us that 2008 would be the year of the book, but it seems this won't be the case for everyone. "With plans to close local post offices and schools, it is clear that rural areas are suffering under Labour. "On Labour's watch, rural areas are in danger of being cut out of the loop, left behind and marginalised as resources are concentrated elsewhere."

We must all be equal before the law - Huhne.

Commenting on the continued row surrounding Rowan Williams’ comments on introducing some elements of Islamic law to Britain, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said: "One of the basic tenets of a liberal democracy is that we are all equal before the law, and we all accept the same legal obligations. "If some groups begin to be treated differently, the glue that binds society together will become unstuck. "I respect the Archbishop’s free-thinking, but he has not thought this one through."  

Woolas comments on marriage phrased inappropriately - Huhne.

Commenting on Phil Woolas’ comments that people from certain communities marrying their first cousins is causing a rise in birth defects, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said: "Phil Woolas has gone in with two big feet when tiptoeing would have been more appropriate. "If there is now clear evidence that marrying your first cousin leads to unacceptably high risks of birth defects, then we should look again at the law as it applies to all of us, and not seek to single out one community."

British athletes must not be gagged - Clegg.

Commenting on the new contract which British athletes competing in the China Olympic Games must sign, which prohibits them from criticising China’s human rights record, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said: "There should be no question of gagging British athletes from speaking out on human rights. "This is part of a worrying pattern in which Britain appears to be kowtowing to the sensitivities of the Chinese Communist Government. "Last month Gordon Brown visited China and said nothing publicly about China’s dismal human rights record. "China plays an increasingly powerful role on the world stage, but that does not mean we should simply give up pressing for the full respect of human rights. "If China really wants to play a full role in the international community of nations then it must do a lot more to uphold human rights at home and abroad."

Huhne challenges Jack Straw on extent of lawyer - Bugging.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne today wrote to Jack Straw asking which senior police officers authorised the regular bugging of lawyer-client discussions at prisons. Mr Huhne also pressed Mr Straw to state how many prisoners had been bugged in this way in each year for the last five years and urged him to make a full statement as soon as the House of Commons returns from recess. The Liberal Democrats are pressing for a full inquiry into the new allegations that bugging was extensive, systematic and routine. They are calling for answers from ministers on how much they knew about what was going on. Mr Huhne said: "Either ministers knew what was going on and were complicit in a wholesale undermining of the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality, or they have been so unaware of what is going on in their own departments as to connive unwittingly in a policy disaster. "Extensive bugging may now lead to the quashing of unsafe convictions, and also to ineffectiveness in bugging for serious terrorist incidents, which are likely to be an imminent threat to public security. This is a wholly counter-productive policy."

NATO members must share Afghan burden - Campbell.

Responding to US Defence Secretary Robert Gates’ warning during his speech to the Munich Security Conference that NATO risks becoming a ‘two-tiered alliance’ of countries which fought and those that did not, former Liberal Democrat Leader and member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Sir Menzies Campbell who is attending the conference said: "The US Defence Secretary has issued an unequivocal wakeup call to the members of NATO. There is a real risk of a two-tier alliance divided between those who are willing to fight and those who are not. "British public support for our commitment in Afghanistan could easily become eroded if the United Kingdom is seen to be assuming disproportionate responsibilities. "NATO cannot afford to fail in Afghanistan, but the sharing of the burden has got to be on an equitable basis."

My thoughts are with Camden residents - Paddick.

Commenting on the major fire in Camden, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Mayor of London, Brian Paddick said: "I know the area well from when I was a Police Commander there. "The police and fire brigade will be working closely to identify what caused this serious blaze. "I’m sure Camden Council will be doing all they can to help those affected at this difficult time. "I know from first hand experience the devastating effects that a fire can have on families and livelihoods, and my thoughts are with local residents."

Giant stride towards a police state - Huhne.

Commenting on reports that defence lawyers and their clients were routinely bugged during meetings at HM Prison Woodhill in a special ‘bugging suite’, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said: "The routine bugging of confidential discussions between a suspect and their lawyer is a giant stride towards a police state and a body blow to the fairness of the judicial process. "Surveillance and snooping is now wholly out of hand and needs to be firmly brought back under proper judicial and political control if we are to restore traditional civil liberties. "Such routine bugging is catastrophic for fair trials and counter-productive for public security. The rare cases of an imminent and major threat to public safety that would justify such bugging will now be rendered useless. Past convictions may now also be overturned on appeal. "There must be a full independent judicial inquiry into the bugging of defendants. We will raise these issues vigorously in the Commons."

Reform report should act as wake up call to Government - Lamb.

Commenting on today’s report by Reform which highlights the Government’s failure to reform the NHS, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "This should act as a wake up call to the Government. Enormous investment has failed to increase productivity in the NHS or provide any real benefit for patients. "The big debate now is about how the money is spent rather than how much there is. "We will only get real value for money in the NHS with genuine reform which empowers patients and makes our health services accountable."

Fri 8th Feb 2008:

Tories playing politics with the lottery - Foster.

Responding to reports that the Conservative party has made an official complaint to the Cabinet Office about comments made by Big Lottery Fund Chair Sir Clive Booth, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said: "It’s quite disgraceful that the Conservative Party continues to play politics with lottery distributors in this way. Their position on lottery funds is at best confused; preaching the gospel of independence from government to anyone who’ll listen whilst quietly using lottery money to fund their fantasy policies. "It is hardly surprising that Clive Booth felt compelled to criticise their behaviour. The reality is that they happily use lottery distributors as a political football whilst using questionable figures to justify their cause.

Credibility of exam system must be restored with fully independent standards authority - Laws.

Commenting on the revelation today that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has launched an investigation into ‘bizarre’ A level and GCSE grades, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Families and Schools Secretary, David Laws said: "Exam results are so important to young people that there must be a high level of confidence in the reliability of their results. "Recent years have seen the credibility of the exam system has been undermined, reinforcing the need for a fully independent educational standards authority to restore public confidence."

Huhne challenges referendum campaigners to ask real question.

Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Chris Huhne, today challenged campaigners to an EU referendum to allow residents to vote on a question of being in or out of the EU, rather than the limited Tory question on having a referendum only on the reform treaty. Mr Huhne's Eastleigh constituency is one of ten areas targeted by the I want a referendum campaign for a postal ballot. The ballot asks local residents whether they would like a national referendum on the EU reform treaty, and how they would vote. Commenting, Mr Huhne said: "This campaign has chosen only to promote the Tories' preferred question for a referendum. "They should ask my constituents whether they want a real referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union, and they should ask that question in Conservative constituencies too. "There is no practical or financial impediment to putting a fair question as well as the fake Tory question. If they refuse, my constituents will be entitled to conclude that this so-called' cross-party campaign' is afraid to ask the real question and they will draw the conclusion that this is just a Tory front organisation."

Hill farmers need more support - Farron.

Commenting on today's announcement by Defra that the Hill Farm Allowance will be boosted by 6%, Liberal Democrat Countryside Spokesperson, Tim Farron said: "This is welcome news, but 6% is nowhere near enough to help farmers struggling in Severely Disadvantaged Areas. "Hill farming delivers huge environmental benefits to upland areas, such as maintaining biodiversity, preserving land and maintaining the aesthetic beauty of our landscape. "The Liberal Democrats would review the level of the Hill Farming Allowance currently paid in order to recognise the valuable contribution that these farmers make to our countryside."

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