East Suffolk Liberal Democrats

October 17th -The World Day for Eradicating Poverty

The 2018 theme - Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is important to recall the fundamental connection between extreme poverty and human rights, and that people living in poverty are disproportionately affected by many human rights violation

SCC predicts financial shortfall with further cuts to come

Far from an end to austerity as our Prime Minister claims, local authorities are facing yet more stringent cuts to funding putting vital services at real risk

Suffolk County Council admitted that it is not managing to control spending against the budget agreed by councillors in February 2018. Projections show the council will overspend by £8.6 million this financial year unless it is successful in reducing costs and making savings between now and 31 March 2019. This would mean that the council would have to dip into its reserves to balance the books.

MARCH FOR YOUR FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF YOUR FAMILY

On Saturday 20th October, the Liberal Democrats are marching for our future in the EU, and the East Suffolk local party will be there.

The Liberal Democrats are the only political party that backs a vote for the British public to have the final say on Theresa May's Brexit deal - with an option to Remain in the EU.

RECORD DEMAND ON SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES PUTTING SYSTEM AT TIPPING POINT, WARN COUNCILS

Record demand for sexual health services in England has seen visits to clinics reach 3.3 million a year, putting the system under huge pressure and leaving people facing longer waits for appointments, council leaders warn.

This year World Mental Health Day takes place on Wednesday 10 October and focuses on the pressures young people face in a changing world.

This year's World Mental Health Day focuses on young people in a changing world. Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. Depression is one of the most common diseases in teenagers and suicide is the leading cause of death for people between 5-19 years old

Just two weeks after the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton called for the removal of the cap on local authority borrowing the Prime Minister announced that the housing revenue account borrowing cap will be scrapped.

Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable said

We are pleased to see the Prime Minister finally lift the borrowing cap on councils so they can build houses, a policy I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues pushed for in coalition.

Deal or No Deal - time to end this madness and return to the people

by Jon James

Without a deal with the European Union, the UK would move from seamless trade with our biggest trading partner to customs arrangements set by the World Trade Organisation with no preferential deals.

Its not just UK business that will be affected. Forty years of treaties, agreements and partnership arrangements will come to an end covering almost every aspect of our daily life. Replicating regulatory frameworks, relabelling virtually everything that moves and renegotiating access with EU states will take months and possibly years. The International Monetary Fund said Britain's economy would suffer "substantial costs" should it leave the EU without a deal.

The madness that is Brexit:

Brexiteers still claim its Operation Fear, nothing has changed ...

EU27 ministers choose Paris as the new location for the European Banking Authority (EBA) and Amsterdam for the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

As Brexit hurtles towards an end game which is unlikely to satisfy anyone, it is important to acknowledge that decisions have already been taken which will impact the UK economy, jobs and services. The scale of the changes about to hit the UK are of such a magnitude that many are still choosing to ignore, challenge or face the consequences of the 2016 referendum. Operation Fear? - well many Brexit decisions have already been taken by UK business unwillingly to wait any longer for these shambolic negotiations to be concluded. Some have already been actioned. Old news maybe, but EU ministers have voted on where to move the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which currently employs over 900 people in London. Amsterdam will be the new host of the agency, which will move after Britain leaves the EU. The EMA is responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of all medicines marketed in the EU's single market. It's not just the jobs that will move but the agency attracts an estimated 36,000 scientists, pharmaceutical representatives bringing high spending visitors to conferences and events in London each year. Britain not only loses the Agency but must pay for moving it from London after Brexit and the bill has soared to a staggering £520m.

Libraries Week takes place between the 8th and 13th October to celebrate our country's libraries.

Libraries mean a lot to the communities we serve as Liberal Democrats. That's why we want to highlight Libraries Week to you.

This year Libraries Week takes place between Monday 8 to Sunday 13 October and focuses on how libraries improve well-being. Libraries are very important to our area, helping to bring our community together. That's why Libraries Week is focusing on how our libraries help with personal well-being. Libraries don't just give us free access to our favourite author's and magazine subscriptions they do much much more - bringing communities together, fighting loneliness, and supporting people with their mental health by providing a safe space.

Southwold & Reydon Liberal Democrats were awarded the runners up prize in the Best By-Election category in the Association of Liberal Councillors (ALDC) Annual Awards.

The awards, sponsored by Election Workshop and presented by Willie Rennie MSP, were revealed during the ALDC AGM at Autumn Conference in Brighton.