Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats. |  | A Constructive Opposition | Since the election, our MPs have been working tirelessly to stand up for the public’s concerns and be local champions for their constituencies.
We’ve opposed cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance and pushed the Government to act faster and bolder on issues neglected by the Conservative Government.
On sewage, our recent analysis revealed an increase in water bosses' bonuses despite continued sewage dumping. Although Labour pledged to ban such bonuses during the election, their Water Bill falls short.
It has fallen on us to table an amendment to ban them: | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 3 mins | We used our first Opposition Day, where we control the agenda of the House of Commons, to focus on health and care.
After months of Lib Dem pressure, the Government finally launched a review into unfair repayment demands for carers, but we urged them to go further, to write off existing overpayments, raise the earnings limit, and review carer support overall. | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 5 mins | We also pressed for better access to GPs, NHS dentists, and community pharmacists.
While the Conservatives compete in an undignified race to the bottom, we’re providing a constructive, effective opposition, focusing on what matters and offering our practical solutions.
Will you support our work and join us today, John? | | | By joining, you’ll also help shape our future policy, gain access to exclusive training, events, and much more. | |
- Lib Dem Private Member’s Bills
- 1 in 4 avoid calling 999 due to delays
- Councils facing a ‘social care black hole’
- Black History Month
- 1 in 4 pensioners losing winter fuel payments are over 80
| - Remembrance Sunday
- Council by-election wins
- Diwali and Gurpurab
- In the Media
- Work for Us
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 | Lib Dem Private Member’s Bills | Four of our MPs have secured Private Member’s Bills, where MPs who are not part of the Government can introduce their own legislation 🔽 | - Max Wilkinson’s ‘Sunshine Bill’: to force developers to install solar energy generation to all new homes.
- Roz Savage will revive the Climate and Nature Bill: to compel the Government to meet our climate and nature targets.
- Danny Chamber’s animal welfare bill: to target the cruel smuggling of puppies, kittens and ferrets.
- Wendy Chamberlain’s charity lottery bill: to lift limits on fundraising made through charity lotteries.
| The bills had their first readings last week and we’ll keep you updated on their progress throughout.
Liberal Democrats made important changes to the law through Private Member’s Bills in the last Parliament, with Wendy Chamberlain’s Carer’s Leave Act, and Wera Hobhouse’s Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act - so we’re looking forward to seeing what our MPs can achieve with these new Bills. | |
 | 1 in 4 avoid calling 999 due to delays | New research commissioned by the Lib Dems shows one in four people avoided calling an ambulance in the past two years due to fears it would take too long to arrive, and opted to make their own way instead.
The Conservatives ran our NHS into the ground and it is now the public that are paying the price as a result.
Visiting a hospital on a trip to North Devon, Ed Davey MP said that the Government must make fixing the NHS their top priority. | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 4 mins | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 3 mins | Can you share our research and help spread our plans to save the NHS? | Share on: | | | |
 | Councils facing a ‘social care black hole’ | New data from the Liberal Democrats shows that local authorities in England are seeing, on average, a fifth of their budgets being swallowed up by social care services, with over 90% of councils seeing an increase in this area, outstripping increases in spending on other services.
The previous Conservative government's shameful neglect of the crisis in social care has pushed many councils to the edge of bankruptcy and left those in need of these vital services without the care they deserve.
At the Local Government Association (LGA) conference this week, our local government spokesperson Vikki Slade MP called on the new government to immediately begin cross-party talks on social care to fix council finances and provide the care people need. | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 2 mins | |
 | October is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of the Black British community and reflect on their stories. This year's theme, "Reclaiming Narratives," urges us to challenge historical perceptions and fight ongoing racism and inequality.
Our Women and Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP reflects on our commitment to racial equality and highlights the challenges that remain here: | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 2 mins | |
 | 1 in 4 pensioners losing winter fuel payments are over 80 | Our analysis reveals that 27% of pensioners set to lose their winter fuel payments under the new Government’s plans are over 80, forcing the most vulnerable to choose between heating and eating. | | | | ⏲️ Est. reading time: 5 mins | Share on: | | | It’s not too late for the Government to change course. Please back our campaign to protect the Winter Fuel Payment by adding your name here: | | | |
 Remembrance Sunday
Next month, we will remember and honour those who have defended our country and protected our freedoms.
On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph during the National Service of Remembrance on 10 November. | |
 | To everyone celebrating Diwali next week we wish you a happy and peaceful time, and we wish Sikhs a Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti for 15 November. |  |  | Work for Us | We’ve got a wide variety of vacancies - both paid and voluntary - currently available. If you’re keen to contribute in whatever capacity suits you best, we’d love to hear from you! | | | |
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