We're so grateful for the responses we've had from people to the collection we're doing on behalf of Care4Calais, which is helping refugees escaping the Taliban that have been housed here in the North West. Coordinated by our team member Caroline, we've collected much needed clothing, hygiene products, stationary, and toiletries.
The Wigan, Leigh and Makerfield Liberal Democrats are always interested in local issues and helping the people in our community, but if there is a particular issue you want us to know about you can do so on our website.
Ed Davey has today been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.
Ed Davey, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, won the leadership election this morning, receiving 42,756 votes.
In his acceptance speech he announced his plans to begin rebuilding the party to national relevance and launched a national listening project, stating that for the Party "it is time to start listening".
Govt recovery plans do not match ambition of other countries
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a package of measures worth over £3bn to green jobs alongside a fund which will subsidise six-month work placements for people on Universal Credit aged between 16 and 24.
Across our country millions face an unprecedented economic and health crisis. We need a radical new direction to meet this challenge. We need a massive green stimulus so we both provide jobs and tackle the next crisis, the climate crisis.
The Government's spending on climate change simply does not match the scale of ambition necessary to reshape our economy, nor does it match the sums other countires have pledged. That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Chancellor to do more and invest £150 billion over three years through a Green Recovery Plan.
We must not forget this pandemic hasn't affected everyone equally. Amongst the worst hit are self employed workers, many of whom still aren't receiving any support. This is a gross injustice against some of the most vulnerable workers in the UK. The Chancellor must use his statement to expand support for the self-employed and all vulnerable workers.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for greater powers for Wigan Council to take action on carbon emissions as figures show progress to cut emissions across the UK has stalled since 2016.
In Wigan emissions have fallen from 1,367.1 to 1,282.6 - not fast enough to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
Highlighting the need for "action now, not promises", the Liberal Democrats are calling for more powers for those who are "best-placed to tackle the climate emergency in their areas": local authorities.
John Skipworth, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Wigan & Makerfield said:
"The Liberal Democrats are fighting to tackle the climate emergency, and that includes here in Wigan. We have a plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045, but - as things stand - we'll struggle to even meet the 2050 deadline.
"Local authorities are best placed to tackle the climate emergency in their area. We are calling for the Government to give local authorities more powers to take action on carbon emissions. This means powers to tackle congestion, invest in public transport, insulate our homes, and create new green jobs."
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Climate Emergency and Environment said:
"Unlike the Liberal Democrats, this Tory Government does not have a plan to reach net zero.
"These statistics prove - yet again - that we're not making anywhere near fast enough progress to tackle the climate emergency. We need climate action now, not promises to act tomorrow. Climate action delay is no better than climate change denial.
"The next generation are looking to us and we have a duty to act."
