20 Most Recent Stories From Liberal Democrats : All News Feed

Tue 29th Jul 2008:

Video: Nick Clegg's summer message.

Nick Clegg has recorded a summer message for Liberal Democrat members and supporters. In it he talks about the problems facing Labour, how the Liberal Democrats would help families with the rising cost of living, and the party's plans for the autumn. You can watch a subtitled version of the video on Overstream. 

Thu 21st Aug 2008:

Clegg: 'Apollo Project' to secure UK's energy.

Visiting an offshore energy farm in the North Sea today, Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg will warn that Britain’s energy security is under severe threat as a result of the Government’s disintegrating energy policy, which will lead to an ever-increasing dependence on vulnerable foreign energy supplies. Setting out Liberal Democrat proposals to secure energy independence for Britain, Nick Clegg will argue that politicians of all parties need to demonstrate the kind of vision, application and political will behind the Apollo Project that succeeded in putting man on the moon, in order to head off the threat to the security of our energy supply.Nick Clegg said:"The Government has been looking at energy from the wrong end of the telescope."The scale of its failure to plan for Britain’s energy security has been brought into sharp relief by the Georgian crisis, which underlines the risks of increasing dependence on foreign energy sources as North Sea oil supplies run down."Rather than use its period in office to reduce Britain’s dependency on vulnerable supplies from unstable regions, Labour has dithered and flip-flopped for over a decade. Instead of an energy policy, we have a potential economic, environmental and national security disaster waiting to happen. "But we have an enormous opportunity to create real energy independence for the UK, freeing ourselves from the shackles of foreign oil, coal and gas."Renewable energy is no longer a pipe-dream. It is realistic and achievable. All it requires is the leadership and vision that has been lacking under years of tired Labour thinking."That’s why today I am setting out Liberal Democrat proposals to become energy independent by 2050. This will require the kind of ambition and political will that succeeded in putting man on the moon. "We need an ‘Apollo Project’ for British energy independence."Just as Britain invested in the North Sea in the 1970s to transform our energy prospects through oil production, we must today make similar investment in renewable technologies to harness Britain’s vast renewable energy resources, combined with major reductions in energy consumption." To read the policy paper click here.

Thu 7th Aug 2008:

Liberal Democrats outline youth crime proposals.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne, today accused both Labour and the Conservatives of ‘falling over each other to be tough on crime’ as he promoted his party’s new plans for stopping young people from committing crimes.The ideas outlined in the document A Life Away From Crime also highlight how to stop children who have been found guilty of minor offences from committing more serious crimes.The main proposals include: Making young people pay back the damage caused to communities without involving the criminal justice system The formation of a Youth Volunteer Force to engage young people in activities that benefit local people Running nationwide restorative justice programmes, with a particular emphasis on early intervention in schools and care homes Creating a dedicated PCSO youth officer in every area to work with teenagers most at risk of offending Targeting guns and knives through intelligence-led stop and search, hot-spot policing and action in schools Chris Huhne said:"If we want to tackle the problem of youth crime, we need to take action early to stop kids from embarking on a life of crime before it’s too late. "The old parties are falling over each other trying to be tough on crime, but nothing is being done do stop young people getting sucked in to a cycle of crime."Ministers know that programmes to divert kids away from crime work, and are even happy to promote such projects. However, they have failed to fund them properly in favour of punitive policies that grab headlines but achieve little."It is time for a new approach to youth justice which both prevents crime and confronts young people with their actions if they do break the law." To read the paper click here.

Thu 28th Aug 2008:

Walking becoming a minority pursuit - Baker.

Commenting on DfT statistics that show car ownership is increasing while fewer people are walking long distances, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: "With services being taken away from villages and town centres and local public transport often poor and unreliable, the car is becoming a necessity rather than a choice in many rural areas. "Unless our streets and town centres are designed for the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, rather than motorists, walking to the shops, work or school may become a minority pursuit. "Ministers need to discourage those car journeys where there is a viable alternative, while not penalising those with no other option. "This is why the Liberal Democrats have advocated investing in public transport and introducing revenue neutral motorway and trunk road pricing. This will save rural drivers money but cost more for people who drive on long inter-city routes where there is a decent rail alternative."

Ministers must address Army's recruitment and retention crisis - Harvey.

Commenting on the MoD’s latest manning figures published today, which show a decline of 1000 in the total strength of trained and untrained UK regulars serving in the Army over the last quarter, as well as a 5000-person deficit compared to requirements, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said: "These figures further illustrate the terrible strain on our soldiers caused by fighting simultaneously on two fronts. "Instead of trying to spin the strength of our armed services, the MoD should be taking real action to address the hardships faced by our troops. "We are facing a recruitment and retention crisis in the regular Army. For too long the Army has been struggling with a 5000-person deficit. Ministers must act to address equipment shortages abroad and substandard accommodation at home. "Our troops also need the certainty that a timetable for phased withdrawal from Iraq will bring them. Any other course of action risks jeopardising the vital work they are doing in Afghanistan."

Child database should be scrapped not delayed - Laws.

The Liberal Democrats today repeated their call for the Government database containing details on every child in the UK to be scrapped. This follows the news that the ContactPoint database will delayed because of technical issues. Information about every child including their names, addresses, details of their parents or guardians and each government service they use, are to be added to the ContactPoint database. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws said: "Instead of delaying the launch of the database, this intrusive project must be scrapped altogether. "A recent independent review has already undermined all of the Government’s assurances that the database will be secure. The discovery of further technical issues does not bode well for the future. "The Government has proven itself untrustworthy with large databases containing sensitive data. Parents have every right to demand that their children’s personal details are not put at risk."

Government must encourage participation in all sports - Brake.

Commenting ahead of the Government’s announcement on the funding of school sports tomorrow, Liberal Democrat Olympic Spokesperson, Tom Brake said: "An even bigger medal tally in London 2012 and a healthier nation will only be achieved by increasing participation in all sports. "The Government must boost links between sports clubs and schools to increase the range of sports on offer and reduce the drop-out rate. "Ministers should consider cutting the cost of junior membership of sports clubs through gift aid and plug the loopholes which still allow the sale of playing fields."

Rise in superbug deaths horrifying - Lamb.

Commenting on today’s ONS statistics that reveal the number of deaths involving the superbug C diff in England and Wales rose by 28% between 2006-7, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "These are horrifying statistics. "The truth is that these could be avoidable deaths. Many hospitals are winning the battle against superbugs, but the Government’s action on this is too little too late in the face of the dreadful death toll. "There must be zero tolerance of low hygiene standards in hospitals. Poor performance can be a matter of life and death for patients, and sorting this out should be ministers’ top priority."

Nationwide figures highlight seriousness of housing crash - Cable.

Commenting on today's Nationwide figures showing that house prices have fallen by 10.5% since last August, the first double-digit fall since 1990, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: "House prices are no longer simply falling, they are crashing. "Compared with other forecasters, Nationwide is usually conservative in its predictions of house price falls. So when it tells us there is a big fall, we know something very serious is happening. "All the signs are that we are at the beginning, and not the end, of a very painful process. "With this big drop in house prices, it is likely that around 300,000 people are already in negative equity. If this continues over the next year this number will quadruple. "Negative equity is a particular problem for the growing number of families who find themselves in serious danger of repossession because they are no longer able to make ends meet. "Rather than dithering over crackpot schemes to prop up the housing market, the Government must act to help the many thousands in danger of losing their homes. "The Liberal Democrats have set out plans to rebuild Britain’s seriously depleted stock of social housing and stop a flood of repossessions by helping families in arrears stay in their homes."

Labour has failed to tackle shocking health inequality - Lamb.

Commenting on today’s World Health Organisation (WHO) report that reveals the shocking health inequalities across the UK, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "The stark truth is that after 11 years in government, Labour has failed to tackle the deep disadvantage that scars much of our country and results in growing inequalities in health. "The WHO makes it clear that while healthcare has improved, it is the rich who are reaping the benefits. "It is shocking and disgraceful that this contrast can exist in modern Britain. "For the past decade, this Government has achieved little more than broken promises on reducing health inequality. Too much vital investment has been wasted on top-down bureaucracy. "Widening health inequalities will be Labour’s most shameful NHS legacy."

Network rail cost-cutting turning journeys into marathons - Baker.

Commenting on today’s Office of Rail Regulation report, which calls for Network Rail to dramatically reduce disruption for passengers, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: "This damning report shows that Network Rail’s attempts at cost-cutting have turned a fifth of all weekend journeys into a marathon of cancelled trains, delays and rail replacement buses for many passengers. "Whatever happened to the 24-hour railway promised by ministers? Network Rail must get its priorities straight and ensure that, where possible, routes are kept open while repairs and improvements are being made. "If people are to be persuaded out of their cars and onto the railways, Network Rail must put passengers first."

Disappointing SATs results show progress has stalled - Laws.

Commenting on today’s publication of the Key Stage One SATs results, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws said: "It is shameful that more than one in five boys still don’t have a good grasp of the most basic reading and writing skills at the age of seven. "Progress in tackling the problem of poor literacy and numeracy amongst our youngest children has stalled. "Children who don’t master basic skills at an early age risk falling even further behind in primary and secondary school. "There must be a much greater focus on early identification of these problems and more one-to-one support for children with basic literacy and numeracy problems. "Last year’s figures show that that the link between poverty and under achievement is already evident at this early age. They confirm the need for the Liberal Democrat Pupil Premium to target extra money at disadvantaged pupils."

NHS racks up surpluses while key services are starved of cash - Lamb.

Commenting on this year’s predicted £1.75bn NHS surplus, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "This forecast surplus begs the question whether taxpayers’ money is being used effectively. "What evidence is there that trusts are using their surpluses to prepare for fluctuations in demand and investment in new services? Is this the NHS preparing for a period of slower growth in funding? Or is this individual trusts building up a surplus so that they can survive in a more competitive environment? "While the NHS is racking up a billion pound surplus, many areas of patient care are being starved of cash. Public health, alcohol treatment services and mental health are simply not getting the money they need. "Several reports have shown that the current funding system risks damaging quality in the NHS but has done nothing to improve efficiency. Ministers should focus on sorting this out rather than patting themselves on the back for allowing the NHS to bank more and more cash."

Stamp duty indecision has caused worst of all possible worlds - Cable.

Commenting on today’s moveme.com survey which shows that 80% of homebuyers are putting back their moving date in case the Government introduces a stamp duty holiday, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: "The Government has created the worst of all possible worlds. "Not only is a stamp duty holiday a ridiculous policy, amounting to little more than a bribe to push first time buyers into a falling market, but the uncertainty created is causing the already slowing housing market to grind to a complete halt. "In these difficult times we need a Government which will provide strong leadership. Instead all we get is hopeless indecision. "Ministers should concentrate on helping the many thousands of families on the brink of repossession, rather than pursuing expensive crackpot schemes to prop up the housing market."

Welfare system under strain as workless households rise - Willott.

Commenting on today’s ONS statistics which reveal the number of working households has dropped while the number of out of work single parents has risen in the last year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Jenny Willott said:"These figures paint a sobering picture of the mounting unemployment problem that will put extreme pressure on our welfare system. "The number of working households has slumped for the first time under this Government and the number where at least one adult is out of work is at a ten year high. "We need a simple, fair and effective welfare system that provides tailored support to help people get back into work. But the Government’s new welfare reform proposals could stifle the innovation and flexibility needed to achieve this."What’s more, these proposals do little to reduce complexities of the benefit and tax credit systems which leave millions missing out on the support they are entitled to."

Titan prisons will leave prisoners rootless and unskilled - Lord Thomas.

Commenting on today’s [Thursday] Prison Reform Trust report which criticises Titan prisons, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson, Lord (Martin) Thomas said: "It is inevitable that prisoners in huge jails far from home will lose touch with their families and friends and end up leaving prison rootless and unskilled. "The more prisoners there are, the more ex-convicts you will end up managing. This country’s very high reconviction rate shows that prisons are currently failing to rehabilitate convicts, while often destroying families and jobs."

Wed 27th Aug 2008:

Lansley's speech exposes Tory confusion - Lamb.

Commenting on today’s speech by Andrew Lansley, No Excuses, No Nannying, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:"Everyone has a responsibility to look after their own health, but the prescription the Tories are offering has failed in the past and will fail in the future. "Andrew Lansley’s speech exposes the confusion at the heart of the Conservative’s strategy. "He lectures people about their responsibility. He blames people for being overweight and says they lack self-discipline and self-esteem. Yet when it comes to junk food he’s much more sensitive about the problem of ‘stigmatising’ it."This is the same old nasty party moralising and lecturing whilst remaining silent on the causes of increasing obesity. "Central to tackling obesity must be policies reduce inequality, deprivation and poor education."

Government must help thousands on verge of repossession - Cable.

The plans, which aim to reduce repossessions and increase the stock of social housing, include: Introducing regulated Mortgage Rescue Schemes to allow families struggling with repayments to sell all or part of the equity in their house and rent it back from a housing association or private firm to help keep them in their home Allowing councils and housing associations to borrow money to buy up land and empty new homes for use as social housing  Courts to be given guidelines to only allow homes to be repossessed in extreme circumstances, making the mortgage lenders’ voluntary code binding on all lenders Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said:"The Government seems obsessed with fighting a losing battle to artificially prop up the housing market, rather than finding ways to deal with its worst effects. "Ministers must act to help the thousands of families struggling to keep a roof over their heads. "The Government should allow councils and housing associations to buy up land as well as empty homes to help replenish Britain’s much depleted stock of social housing. "Ministers must also tighten up repossession rules, to ensure that people’s homes are only ever repossessed as a last resort."The Government should introduce regulated Mortgage Rescue Schemes. Under this arrangement, families struggling to pay their mortgage could sell part of the equity in their home and rent it back from a housing association or private firm. "These plans could be funded using money already committed to social housing but currently unspent because of the collapse of new building. They would also save taxpayers the cost of re-housing the homeless without going down the disastrous route of giving open-ended guarantees for new mortgage lending."

Scott will bring energy and enthusiasm to leadership - Clegg.

Commenting on the election of Tavish Scott as the new Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said:"I am delighted that Tavish Scott has been chosen as the new Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats."He will bring energy and enthusiasm to the role, taking the fight to the SNP and Labour right across Scotland."The Liberal Democrats are the only party who represent all of Scotland, urban and rural, east and west, Highland, island and lowland."Tavish will address the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland, not the narrow-minded squabbles of the nationalists and Labour."I am hugely looking forward to working with Tavish to further the values and policies of the Liberal Democrats across the whole of Scotland."

Titan prisons are asking for trouble - Lord Thomas.

Commenting on today’s National Council of Independent Monitoring Boards report on the Government’s proposed Titan prisons, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson, Lord (Martin) Thomas said: "Putting nearly three thousand prisoners together is asking for trouble. "The sheer scale of the organisation that will be required will do nothing to rehabilitate prisoners or prepare them for eventual release back into the community."

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