The Lib Dems and I have called on the Chancellor to level the playing field to help small high streets compete with internet giants in the run up to Christmas. The Lib Dems fear local shops hit by decreased footfall during the coronavirus pandemic will continue to struggle and have therefore proposed a new scheme […]

Just before the summer, the Government refused to support families of children on free school meals. Thankfully, after a campaign led by footballer Marcus Rashford, they backed down and provided food vouchers for the school summer holiday. But what about half term, Christmas holidays and the school holidays next year?  What if schools are forced to […]

During this week’s Surrey County Council meeting, the Leader of the Council, Tim Oliver ensured his Conservative Group voted against a Lib Dem motion calling for a much-needed reconciliation with the Borough and District Councils with whom a relationship of trust had completely broken down. In his speech the Lib Dem Leader Group Leader, Chris […]

Following my questioning yesterday, Surrey County Council has confirmed that the cost of its failed bid to become a unitary authority was just under £250,000. In anticipation of a Government White Paper on local government devolution, the Conservatives running the County Council decided to pursue plans to become a unitary authority.  This power grab would have […]

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. A whistle-blower firefighter has since come forward to say that this giant fire […]

At our Autumn Conference this weekend, the Lib Dems 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. As of 1st August 2020, TV licences are now only free for people over the age of 75 […]

The Lib Dems and I are calling for an extension of the Government’s furlough scheme until the jobs market is ready to bounce back in the wake of staggering job losses across the country. With 2,940 people now relying on Universal Credit in Woking, the Lib Dems want to extend furlough scheme to help stop […]

The Lib Dems are urging the Government to continue furlough support until it is safe to do so and extend support to those who have so far been excluded by the Government. Acting Leader of the Lib Dems Ed Davey MP, who is asking the public to join his campaign to protect workers, warned the “pandemic hasn’t […]

Figures published by Surrey County Council have revealed a huge rise in the cost of senior staff pay in just 12 months. The information published by the Council has revealed that the number of its senior officers earning over £50,000 has increased from 407 in 2018/19 to 558 in 2019/20.  The number of those being […]

The Lib Dems have called on the Government to commit to a Summer Learning Fund that would support almost 1,500 disadvantaged children across Woking to get ready for returning to school. Lib Dem Education Spokesperson Layla Moran, who welcomed the Government’s u-turn on free school meals, warned further action was needed to “ensure no child […]