East Suffolk Liberal Democrats

MS Awareness Week 23-29 April

23-29 April 2018 is MS week, which is a chance for us all to do our bit to raise awareness and money to make sure no one has to fight MS alone.

MS is a neurological life long condition which affects your brain, spinal chord and central nervous system. As a result MS can create many different symptoms, and is different for every patient

Flying in the face of widespread concern by parents, teachers and local communities across the county, Conservative Councillors used their overwhelming majority and denied members the chance to debate the final school transport proposals.

The cross party opposition motion to give all members a chance to express an opinion prior to cabinet decision failed to receive support from the ruling party.

East Suffolk Lib Dem Campaigners expose second home tax avoidance loophole

East Anglian Daily Times front page picks up the Lib Dems' campaign

Local Tory MP says she 'is aware of issue and awaits representation from constituents' having failed to answer Lib Dem's letter.

In East Suffolk where second home ownership is around a third of properties in coastal communities such as Southwold, Aldeburgh and Walberswick a homes loophole, which is said to be potentially costing councils millions in lost income, Lib Dems have called for a review and a change in the tax and registration arrangements for second homes.

2018 World Health Day is all about Universal Health Coverage.

Half of the world's people still struggle to get basic medical help, choosing between, food, shelter and life saving drugs. But in the UK we are incredibly lucky to have our NHS.

That's why the Liberal Democrats are calling for an extra £6 billion a year to protect the NHS, paid for by an extra penny on Income Tax.

The Economic Impact of Brexit on Women

The report published this week by the Women's Budget Group and the Fawcett Society warns that the UK's poorest and most vulnerable women are likely to be the hardest hit by Brexit.

Because of the avalance of news stories about Brexit from all sides, it's becoming all too easy to zone out however this report is very clear that a post-Brexit economic slump could have a very real impact on women's everyday lives and on the poorest households.. Workplace rights, parental leave, and rights for part-time workers (on which more women than men rely) could all be threatened. If the government opts for a 'hard' Brexit and we leave the Single Market and Customs Union, the situation for women is likely to become even worse.
A significant economic downturn could also cause government cuts to public services, a sector of employment where women are more likely to work. Other sectors with a largely female workforce such as clothing and textiles could be harmed by increased trade barriers.
A further drop in the value of the pound coupled with increased trade tariffs would probably drive up food prices, affecting the women who tend to manage budgets in the UK's poorest households.

Resounding support for Staying Together as Ipswich Exit from Brexit Rally attracts hundreds to March for Europe

On a day when Labour Shadow spokesperson Owen Smith MP was sacked for speaking out and demanding that the British public get a voice through a referendum on the Brexit deal and Channel 4 and the Guardian made explosive claims about the Leave campaign's conduct during the EU referendum hundreds of supporters for Staying Together gathered at University Campus Ipswich for a March for Europe.

Government loses vote on plans to restrict entitlement to free school meals.

New government rules to restrict entitlement to free school meals for new recipients appear to have been delayed by six months after a defeat in the Lords.

Under government plans, families receiving Universal Credit and earning more than £7,400 a year will no longer be eligible for free school meals. The proposals which were due to take effect from 1st April will affect free school meals for children in year three and above. Transitional protections are proposed, so that no child currently receiving free school meals will have them taken away.

Come and join Suffolk Liberal Democrats at University Campus Ipswich on Saturday 24th March from 12noon

Suffolk Lib Dems will be hosting their own stand inside the Uni Campus Foyer to recruit new members and discuss the party policy on Brexit.

Come and join us on the March and listen to the many speakers including Lib Dems Baroness Ros Scott , Daisy Cooper and Regional Chair Jo Hayes in the Speakers Lounge* and outside stage.

Government suffers a double defeat over plans to put in place a domestic nuclear safeguards regime after leaving the European Union.

Tory administration accused of "playing Russian roulette" with the UK's energy security by quitting Euratom.

During report stage of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill in the House of Lords, peers backed by 265 votes to 194, majority 71, a call to delay Britain leaving Euratom if no alternative agreements were in place in the run-up to Brexit day.
The government was dealt a second blow over the reporting of future arrangements with the watchdog on nuclear research and development, as well as the import and export of qualifying nuclear material.
The opposition amendment, which had Liberal Democrat and crossbench support, was approved by 244 votes to 194, majority 50.
A series of peers raised concerns over leaving Euratom without having other arrangements in place.
Energy minister Lord Henley said the triggering of the formal proceedings for quitting the EU also started the process for leaving Euratom and insisted it was a "done deal".
He insisted the government was "on track" to secure agreements with Britain's nuclear partners post-Brexit.
But independent crossbencher Lord Broers, former vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge and president of the Royal Academy of Engineering, argued the need "to give us the confidence that these agreements are complete and appropriate and will maintain the highest standards in safeguarding our nuclear power". He said: "Of all the world's complex technologies, nuclear power is surely one where we must maintain collaboration with our partners, especially those in Europe."
Lord Warner, who sits as an independent crossbencher, said: "The issue is the way that the government has been playing Russian roulette with our energy security by the ill-considered and ideological rush to leave Euratom without being sure an equivalent regime is properly in place."