The Liberal Democrats have today urged the Chancellor to step in and support freelancers excluded from existing government support schemes. This comes after the announcement that the BBC will offer financial support to around 600 freelancers who they regularly employ.
This Summer children can take part take part in the Silly Squad Reading Challenge with Bedford Borough Libraries online.
Thank you West Indies cricket team for restoring some semblance of normality to the English summer. You've been isolated for a long time because of the virus precautions, with very little opportunity to play other than Test Matches. In many respects the result doesn't matter (except for the records set, obviously) For once, the importance was the taking part. So big shout out for all the team and everybody else who made this possible.
Fusion Lifestyle and Bedford Borough Council have been following national guidance regarding the safe reopening of leisure facilities within the Borough during COVID-19.
In his latest message to the residents of Hailsham, Town Mayor and Chairman of Hailsham Town Council, Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Holbrook, praised people for 'shopping local' in recent weeks and encouraged everyone to continue to support local traders. "While we still have a very long way to go in our ongoing battle with and recovery from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it is clear that we are seeing some return to normality," said Mayor Holbrook. "Perhaps the most visible indicators of this are the increased easing of social distancing and lockdown restrictions, and the reopening of many local businesses in Hailsham. As more and more businesses gradually reopen in Hailsham, I encourage people to shop local and ask residents to continue to buy local products and services to help our local economy get back on its feet. "In Hailsham, we are fortunate to have such a diverse range of shops and businesses - not just in the town centre but townwide. They all play a big part in the historic market t
One year ago Boris Johnson pledged to fix the social care crisis A year later and with over 22,000 Covid-19 deaths* in the community and care homes we still await his 'oven ready' detailed plan
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!”
