'Forgotten' city centre roads need repairing, say Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats have called for the "forgotten" roads of Gloucester city centre to be repaired by the county council.
29 Sep 2020
Wera Hobhouse MP urges government to incentivise solar power
29 Feb 2024
New Lidl Store on Rope Walk in Bedford is Now Open
The new Lidl store at St John's Retail Park on Rope Walk in Bedford is now open. It's the first one in Bedford south of the river, and as well as bringing more local shopping choice for residents it's also providing over 20 new jobs on site.
29 Sep 2020
Lib Dem Women
Southwark councillor Anood Al-Samerai has been honoured with this year's Patsy Calton Award
Southwark councillor Anood Al-Samerai has been honoured with this year's Patsy Calton Award for her exceptional contribution to the Liberal Democrats.
29 Sep 2020
Lib Dems restate support for firefighters after Chobham Common fire and petition
During August a major incident was declared on Chobham Common due to a huge fire. A lot of local residents had to be evacuated, roads closed and around 30% of this Site of Special Scientific Interest - over 500 acres - was destroyed.
29 Sep 2020
BBC licence fee should be set by independent body, Lib Dems say
At their Autumn Conference this weekend the Lib Dems have agreed proposals that would see the BBC licence fee level set independently next year after Government cuts forced the BBC to end free TV licences for most over-75s.
CWF
29 Sep 2020
Furlough extension could save jobs as Greggs talk to staff about cutting their hours - LIberal Democrats push for better benefits for short time workers, those excluded so far, and those who want a job but can't find one. that and better benefits
Newcastle-based Greggs the Bakers could be cutting the hours of up to 20,000 staff in order to reduce the risk of job losses. "The Government has let down all of our employers by their refusal to extend the furlough scheme and the short notice of its inadequate replacement. The Liberal Democrats will be asking Newcastle City Council next week to support its call for that extension plus enhanced benefits for short time workers, those excluded so far, and those who want a job but can't find one. We'll also be pushing on the need for a city and regional response for reskilling and upskilling to face the future," said Cllr Robin Ashby, who speaks on business matters for Newcastle Liberal Democrats.
29 Sep 2020
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, called on the government to provide incentives for energy providers to develop solar power in the UK.
Mrs Hobhouse slammed the government for falling behind on meeting the UK’s renewable targets for solar energy capacity. The government plans to deploy 70 GW of solar power across the country by 2035. However, as of 2022, the UK had only installed 14.3 GW of solar pv.
Following a visit to a rooftop solar system installed by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) at Beechen Cliff School last year, Wera Hobhouse is keen to encourage the development of similar solar projects across Bath. The solar system is predicted to significantly cut the school’s fuel costs and reduce their carbon emissions by 52 tonnes a year.
In the House of Commons on the 27th February, the Bath MP noted that the UK is lagging behind the rest of the world in renewable energy investment, she urged the government to offer incentives to energy providers to improve solar capacity.
However, Andrew Bowie, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, ignored Hobhouse’s proposals, failing to describe the ways in which the government could incentivise solar energy. Instead, Bowie said that the government’s Solar Taskforce would publish recommendations for solar power and reiterated the government’s target to deploy 70 GW by 2035.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, commented:
“The Conservatives are falling dangerously behind on meeting our targets for renewable energy production. It is no good the government setting an ambitious 70 GW solar target if they are nowhere near reaching it.
“It is clear that they have no plan to get us back on track to reach Net Zero. Evidently, they are more than happy to dismiss perfectly good proposals like incentivising solar power. That is why I am so proud that Bath is home to many community energy projects like the solar system at Beechen Cliff School, so that we can lead the way in renewables.”
“It is not just our climate targets harmed by the Conservatives’ delay. Families in Bath and across the country are struggling to pay soaring energy bills which investment in renewables could curb. That is why we Liberal Democrats would build significantly more renewable energy, aiming to generate 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030.”
Peter Capener, Managing Director of Bath & West Community Energy said:
“Our work with schools is really demonstrating the value of community energy in both addressing the climate crisis and reducing fuel bills. Rooftop solar installed last year has already saved local schools a combined total of £134,209 and has reduced carbon emissions by 224.3 tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,173 journeys from Bath to Edinburgh by train!”
