“Since the taxpayer has rescued the banks, they cannot be allowed to continue suffocating British industry and business generally,” said Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor.
Commenting on the Bank of England’s inflation report in which Governor Mervyn King said the UK economy had ‘only just started’ along the road to recovery, Vince Cable said:
“It’s very clear from this gloomy analysis that the heart attack suffered by the British economy has had profound long-term effe... Read Full Story
“Whatever differences there are between management and the unions, there is no reason for the passenger to suffer,” said Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary.
Commenting on the decision by trade union Aslef to ballot its members at First Capital Connect over possible strike action, Norman Baker said:
“A 1970s style industrial dispute is the last thing the railways need.
“Whatever differences there are between management and the unions, there is no reason for the... Read Full Story
“We need a fully independent Education Standards Authority with the teeth to stand up to ministers,” said the David Laws, Liberal Democrat Shadow Schools Secretary.
Commenting on remarks by Greg Watson, the chief executive of exam body OCR, that public trust in results has lessened, David Laws said:
“This Government’s constant meddling with our education system has undermined public confidence in it.
“People are left to wonder whether perceived progress and improvements are in fact re... Read Full Story
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today challenged Gordon Brown at Prime Minister’s Questions on planned cuts to Housing Benefit.
Current Government plans are to scrap excess payments to local housing allowance claimants where their rent is lower than the rate of the allowance. This would see some of the poorest families in the country up to £780 a year worse off.
Nick Clegg asked:
“How is it possible that in the middle of a recession, with unemployment now at two and a half million and risi... Read Full Story
Scotland risks being one of the worst hit parts of Britain unless real action is taken now,” said Alistair Carmichael , the Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary.Today’s unemployment figures show that:
The rate of quarterly increase in unemployment in Scotland is twice that of the UK average
The rate of year-on-year increase in Scotland is outstripping that of the UK (2.5% to 2.0%)
Commenting, Alistair Carmichael said:
“Labour’s claim that today’s figures show ‘welcome news’ is s... Read Full Story
“The Department for Transport, train operators and unions have a duty to guarantee there are always enough staff,” said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary.
Commenting on the cancellation of around 50 services by First Capital Connect due to staff shortages, Norman Baker said:
“This is the second time in a few days First Capital Connect has allowed this farcical situation to happen.
“The Department for Transport, train operators and unions have a duty to guarantee there are ... Read Full Story
“It is a national disgrace that one in five 16 to 24 year-olds are now unemployed. As a society we cannot afford to write off a whole generation in this way,” said Steve Webb, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary.
Commenting on today’s unemployment figures showing that the number of young people out of work has reached a record high, Steve Webb said:
“Ministers need to explain why their never-ending announcements on jobs have done nothing to avoid a record number of y... Read Full Story
The information watchdog has warned that an unacceptable amount of data is being lost as the number of data losses and security breaches on personal information has risenby more than 50% over the last twelve months.
Security breaches connected with the NHS have risen from 70 to 134 over the period. and a total of 711 losses or breaches have been recorded by public and private bodies since it was revealed two years ago that HM Revenue and Customs had lost 25 million child benefit records.
The ... Read Full Story
Revised plans for the length of time that DNA profiles of innocent people will be kept on the national database for England and Wales are being released.
The Home Office has changed it’s mind in the case of adults arrested but cleared, proposing that after six years they should that all have their DNA profiles removed from the database .
The Home Office recently proposed that the records of violent and sexual offenders should be held for for up to 12 years.
Under the proposals, 17 and 1... Read Full Story
“There is also the added stress of the profession being demonised in the wake of the Baby P tragedy,” said Annette Brooke, the Liberal Democrat Children and Families Spokesperson.
Commenting on today’s Local Government Association report on social workers leaving the profession, Annette Brooke said:
“It is no wonder so many social workers are turning their backs on the profession given the huge pressure they work under. They already have to deal with a lack of resources, mountains of pa... Read Full Story
