Rail commuters in England and Wales will see their fares increase by 3.6% from next year, the biggest annual price hike in 5 years. This is a price rise too far for passengers. This steep hike to rail fares will be a bitter blow for passengers struggling with overcrowded and unreliable trains including residents in […]

At Bury’s last Full Council meeting, Lib Dem councillors asked questions on how Bury was performing on reducing the rate of smoking in the borough. Local Councils have responsibility for public health, of which reducing smoking rates is an important part. We asked following the Public Health England report on smoking rates for 2016, which […]

Consultation on Bury Council’s own ‘Local Plan’ started on 7 August. The Plan will set out housing and employment requirements of the borough for years to come and the need for new infrastructure. The above is strategic issues outlined in the GMSF.  The Issues Paper forms part of the Local Plan, which is being drawn […]

One elderly patient had to wait more than three years to be let out of a mental health unit after being declared ready to leave. These figures are a humanitarian disgrace. Figures on mental health delayed discharges released today are a “humanitarian disgrace”. The shocking new figures revealed that people have had to wait over […]

Investigations by Liberal Democrat councillors have revealed a shocking 265% increase in the number of class sizes over 30 in Bury’s secondary schools in just one year. Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Pickstone asked: “Could the Leader update members on the number of secondary school children in Bury who are taught in classes of more than 30 […]

Health organisations and the Liberal Democrats have criticised the Government’s announcement on mental health NHS staffing shortages as inadequate. The Government announced plans yesterday to recruit an extra 5,000 staff into mental health services by 2020-21, but many have critised the existing crisis in filling jobs, and the lack of any new funding to pay […]

I want to lead the Liberal Democrats because I am ambitious about our future. I believe we are the only party that can represent the millions of liberal-minded people alarmed by the direction this country is taking: people, whether they voted remain or leave, who hate the intolerance, xenophobia and division that the Brexit vote […]

Last week Bury’s Councillors met together for an important extraordinary meeting. This was to consider the outcome of an investigation in to senior staff, which had resulted in the resignation of the Council’s Chief Executive and Executive Director of Children’s Services. This is an important and serious issue, and one which you will probably have […]

Justine Greening has announced £1.3bn of additional funding for schools that she has said will come from “efficiencies” from within the education budget. Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Layla Moran said: “This is a desperate attempt to pull the wool over people’s eyes. Instead of providing the £4bn of extra funding promised in their manifesto, […]

Jo Swinson’s message for Pride 2017: Love Happens Here Pride is a colourful, energetic celebration of freedom, love and acceptance. Each year I am amazed as thousands of people of all sexualities take to the streets in the name of freedom and equality. I am proud to stand with the LGBT community in the continuous […]