Reverse "deadly" aid cuts, say Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats call for greater measures to increase accessibility in education Government must commit to 10k refugees a year, Liberal Democrats say Reverse "deadly" aid cuts, say Liberal Democrats The Liberal Democrats have called on the UK Government to reverse "unprincipled, unjustified and downright deadly" cuts to international aid. The motion passed at its Spring Conference reaffirmed the Party's commitment to the UK contributing 0.7% of GNI on Official Development Assistance and slammed the merging of the Department for International Development with the Foreign Office. It also demanded the UK Government play a ...

Posted by Mark Valladares on Liberal Democrat Voice

A real-terms pay cut is an insult to NHS workers Patel must drop proposals to restrict right to protest Liberal Democrats call for Autism support A real-terms pay cut is an insult to NHS workers Liberal Democrats have pressed the Government to give NHS workers a proper pay rise during an emergency motion passed at the party's Spring Conference. Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, welcomed the motion being passed: A real-terms pay cut is an insult to all the NHS workers who have gone above and beyond during this time of national crisis. ...

Posted by Mark Valladares on Liberal Democrat Voice
Mon 22nd
18:20

370 days of plague

A year and five days since the first lockdown; just under a year since the first of these posts; just over a year since the first of my lockdown videos.We had no idea then of how long this was going to go on. On 27 March last year, I was already missing the office; I still miss it, even more now perhaps. A new colleague joined us today who is actually an old friend of mine; in normal times I'd have taken her out for lunch, or at least a drink, and it sucks that we cannot have that sort ...

Government must fix its response to the COVID-19 pandemic Liberal Democrats review to plot paths to closer relationship with EU We must get serious on Russia for the sake of our democracy Government must fix its response to the COVID-19 pandemic Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to fix its response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the Party's Spring conference. The proposals include plans to fix the Government's approach to self-isolation through better and more generous support; ensure Test and Trace makes better use of local government; and securing the rollout of surplus vaccines to the world's poorest countries. ...

Posted by Mark Valladares on Liberal Democrat Voice

Small businesses must be at the heart of our recovery Liberal Democrats champion a fairer deal for consumers Liberal Democrats call for emergency £2.6bn carers support package Small businesses must be at the heart of our recovery Liberal Democrats have passed a motion at their Spring Conference calling for a comprehensive package of support for small businesses and the self-employed, including: Dedicated support schemes for the worst-affected sectors, such as hospitality, tourism, charities and the creative industries. More support for businesses as we return to normal, by extending business rates relief, VAT reductions and tax deferrals. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for ...

Posted by Mark Valladares on Liberal Democrat Voice

We haven't been publishing Party press releases for a while now, as we weren't receiving any. However, the 'teleprinter' has suddenly sprung back into life... Government letting down disabled workforce Liberal Democrats have backed a new policy at its Spring Conference demanding better support for the disabled workforce. The motion noted that the Chancellor's 'Plan for Jobs' in response to the pandemic made only one reference to disabled people and "contained nothing to address the specific challenges facing disabled people". The Liberal Democrats are proposing a range of measures to support disabled people into work, including a Jobs Guarantee for ...

Posted by Mark Valladares on Liberal Democrat Voice
Mon 22nd
11:00

My tweets

Sun, 14:00: Who is on for an expedition to @Pixel_Museum, the video game museum in Brussels, next weekend? Most likely to go Sunday afternoon, with F and U, but plans are not yet final. Sun, 18:27: The Kappa Child, by Hiromi Goto https://t.co/ozebPWB4SE Sun, 20:19: 40 years ago today! https://t.co/yKirSdiWxt Mon, 09:30: Whoniversaries 22 March https://t.co/V8j0SdakWa Mon, 10:45: To The Juba Wharf - Juba in the Making https://t.co/bqGv3iDQIs Fascinating - the early history of South Sudan's capital, by Brendan Tuttle with @FloMiettaux.

If we find ourselves in a field or open area with sheep, both dogs go on their leads. Every time. Continue reading →

Posted by Simon Perks on Simon Perks

He may have stood on the doorstep of Number Ten applauding the overworked, underpaid, much put upon health and care workers who have guided us through this pandemic, often at huge personal cost to themselves, and who even intervened to save his life, but Boris Johnson does not appear to be extending his gratitude to a decent pay rise for the same cohort of workers anytime soon. Health workers in England are being offered a paltry 1% extra in their pay packets, while those working in social care continue to struggle on the bare minimum. This injustice of this situation ...

Posted by Peter Black on Peter Black

On March 23, 2020 England went into its first lockdown. Addressing the nation on nearly all media channels prime minister Boris Johnson told us we could only shop for basic necessities. Essential goods, like new shoes and undies, became non-essential. We were instructed to limit outdoor exercise to once a day. Lockdown restricted travel only to and from essential work. The UK was told stay at home. Most of us did. We are being asked tomorrow to observe a minute's silence at 12 midday and take part in a national doorstep vigil at 8.00pm to reflect on the impact of ...

Posted by andybodders on Andy Boddington
YouGov

I am heartened that during the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference, held on the weekend, that both the party's dedication towards the European Union has been reaffirmed, and we have come out fighting against the Government's current crime bill that severely curtails the right to peaceful protest. Note the peaceful emphasis though. As I write this I am waking up to news from Bristol about riots as right-to-protest demonstrations turned to violence. There can be no excuse for that and I am very surprised to learn that there have been no arrests made overnight. What has led to such protests though ...

Posted by Martin Veart on Martin's View
Mon 22nd
08:30

Whoniversaries 22 March

i) births and deaths 22 March 1950: birth of Mary Tamm, who played the first Romana in 1978-79. ii) broadcast anniversaries 22 March 1969: broadcast of third episode of The Space Pirates. Clancey and the Tardis crew evade General Hermack and arrive at the pirate base on Madeleine's plant. [IMG: SP3.png] 22 March 1975: broadcast of third episode of Genesis of the Daleks. Sarah has failed to escape from the Thal dome, but Harry and the Doctor arrive to rescue her - and the Doctor is electrocuted. [IMG: SP3.png] 22 March 1983: broadcast of first episode of Time-Flight. A Concorde ...

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 22 MARCH 2021 West Marketgait (northbound from Nethergate to West Port roundabout), West Port roundabout (south side of outer lane), Hawkhill (westbound from Westport roundabout to Brown Street) - closed from Monday 22 March for 3 weeks for Bus Priority Improvement Works.