Responding to analysis by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) that shows Boris Johnson's education spending pledge would be more than twice as expensive as previously stated, benefitting schools in affluent areas the most, Lib Dem Education Spokesperson Layla Moran MP has said that truly "fairer funding" is needed to ensure support goes to the schools that need it the most.
The county council has spent millions on its Fastershire project to upgrade rural internet connections to super-fast broadband. Yet, there are areas in Gloucester that don't have decent broadband services. County councillor Jeremy Hilton has been in touch with Fastershire about the service at St Oswald's following complaints from local residents. "They said they are seeking funds to improve the service here," he said "I wonder if other Westgate residents have poor broadband service? If you are unhappy with the speed of your broadband do contact me via email. "In order to investigate further I will need your address, download speeds and service provider. I look forward to hearing from you."
The Lower Leas Park is one of the gems of Folkestone - stretching from Radnor Cliff in Sandgate to the Leas Lift in Folkestone, the park is multi-award winning, well loved by locals and visitors alike and a great place to spend time.
Liberal Democrat Nick Garvey has won a seat in Newport Town Council's South ward, vacated after Conservative Jonathan Dix, who was elected on May 2, declined to take up his seat.
The Bedford River Festival 2020 will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July, and Bedford Borough Council is now delighted to announce the event's headline sponsor will be Wainwright, by Marston's Beer Company.
British business is unprepared for Brexit, according to figures obtained by Treasury and Business Spokesperson, Chuka Umunna
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!”
