Ross Shipman

14Mar 2021 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Lib Dems announce ‘outward looking’ and ‘Inclusive’ Derbyshire County Council manifesto

2021 Manifesto

Derbyshire Liberal Democrats have released their manifesto in the run-up to the County Council elections on 6th May 2021. 7 Key policies: Oppose Tory plans to replace local authorities with larger “super” unitary authorities.Develop new sources of revenue, such as traded services and green energy, develop more efficient ways of delivering services and prioritise resources to protect the most vulnerable in society.Protect and enhance high quality early years learningSupport traffic calming and 20 mph zones where they can be cost-effective in achieving this aim.Review the current road maintenance systems to both speed up and improve the quality of repairs to potholes.Work closely with Derbyshire residents to rapidly implement a Climate Action Plan which drastically cuts emissions over the next 10 years.Reverse Tory cuts to community transport and bus routes Liberal Democrat County Councillor, Sue Burfoot…

16Feb 2021 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Lib Dems call on Chancellor to give 118,345 carers in Derbyshire a break

Welfare

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to “give carers a break”, by giving councils immediate emergency funding so they can provide the support services unpaid carers need to take a weekly break. More than 118,000 people in Derbyshire (including Derby City) are looking after elderly, disabled or vulnerable people during the Covid pandemic. In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, Ed Davey highlights research from Carers UK showing that nationally: 64% of carers have not been able to take any breaks from their caring role during the pandemic,74% feel exhausted and worn out as a result of caring during Covid, and44% say they are reaching breaking point. The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Chancellor to provide local authorities with emergency funding in his Budget on 3rd March…

07Jan 2021 by Ross Shipman No Comments

‘Parents should be able to access children’s TV programming during lockdown without the fear of being prosecuted’ say Lib Dems

Education

BBC TV is to help children keep up with their studies during the latest lockdown, by broadcasting lessons on BBC Two and CBBC, as well as online. Schools have been closed to most children across the UK as part of tougher measures announce by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday, in an attempt to control Covid-19. The BBC will show curriculum-based programmes on TV from Monday, 11th January 2021. They will include three hours of primary school programming every weekday on CBBC from 9am, and at least two hours for secondary pupils on BBC Two. During the first lockdown in the spring, lessons were available on iPlayer, red button and online, but not on regular TV channels. The move comes amid concerns that low-income families may struggle to afford data packages for…

03Jan 2021 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Primary schools must move to temporary remote learning to create time for a new, safe plan

Education

The Liberal Democrats are backing calls for all primary schools to move to remote learning until 18 January and urged Ministers to use that time to “get ahead of the virus” and publish a clear plan to open schools safely While the Party wants schools to remain open for vulnerable children and those of key-workers, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper has warned the Tories have “squandered every opportunity to get ahead of the virus” ” and are “wreaking havoc on people’s lives”. The intervention comes amidst growing concern for safety in schools, including headteachers launching legal action to force ministers to reveal data behind the decision for some schools to reopen. The Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to review testing strategies in schools and publish…

19Aug 2020 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Lib Dems call on PM to sack Gavin Williamson for “slow-motion car crash” on exams

Education, Young People

The Liberal Democrats have called on Boris Johnson to sack Gavin Williamson, criticising attempts to pass the buck onto Ofqual for the exams grading fiasco.In a letter to Boris Johnson, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran has called on the Prime Minister to personally apologise to students and warned that the Government’s failure to take responsibility risks further eroding public trust in the exams system.She accuses the Education Secretary of presiding over a “slow-motion car crash,” listing a number of catastrophic errors including failing to issue guidance for universities and ignoring warnings that a calculated grades system risked bias against disadvantaged groups.Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said:“The Government’s botched handling of this crisis has caused untold distress and anguish to students, with many at risk of losing out on…

07Aug 2020 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Lib Dems in North East Derbyshire slam Govt’s planning proposals

Housing

The Liberal Democrats have condemned the Conservative Government’s plans to reform the planning system, arguing that proposed changes will do nothing to alleviate the housing crisis in North East Derbyshire. The Liberal Democrats believe the Conservatives’ proposals will not help those who are stuck on waiting lists and express concern that zoning plans risk “leaving whole areas behind”. Instead, the Party is calling for “an urgent house building programme”, with proposals to build 100,000 social homes for rent every year. Cllr Ross Shipman, Liberal Democrat Group Leader in North East Derbyshire said: "Across North East Derbyshire, 2,072 families are stuck on the housing waiting list, which is the 10th highest figure out of all 39 local authorities in the East Midlands. This is unacceptable. “With councils across the country approving nine out of…

02Dec 2019 by Ross Shipman No Comments

NHS staff shortages worsen under Tories

Health

The latest figures on NHS vacancies reveal that there was 8,416 vacancies for nurses in the NHS in the Midlands in July to September 2019. This means that 12.6% of posts were unfilled, showing the NHS staff shortage crisis to get worse. The Conservatives have presided over a staffing crisis in our health service, failing to adequately ensure the NHS has the workforce it needs to care for our loved ones. Even worse, Boris Johnson's pledge for 50,000 new nurses isn't even true. What is true is the Conservative's manifesto commitment to introduce a nurse tax for EU workers. Over 11,600 NHS staff from the EU have left the health service in the three years since the Brexit vote, including 4,783 nurses. The Conservatives are only going to discourage more nurses from coming to work in the…

16Nov 2019 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Disabled Facilities Grant legal charge ‘lacks compassion’ when families suffer a bereavement says Cllr Ross Shipman

Uncategorized

Lib Dem Councillor, Ross Shipman has submitted a motion to add the 'bereavement of claimant' as a reason to waive Disabled Facilities Grant legal charge on properties. The Disabled facilities Grants aids families for the care of their disabled relatives by funding necessary adaptations to properties, such as, room conversions and the purchase of specialised equipment in their own home. District, Borough and Unitary Councils place a legal claw-back charge on properties if they are sold on within 10 years of the grant being issued - this can vary between difference authorities on the amount paid back and the criteria in which these are paid back in the event a property is sold. In North East Derbyshire, residents are asked to pay £10,000 if they sell their property, even if the…

15Nov 2019 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Liberal Democrats launch Plan for a Brighter Future

2019 Manifesto

Jo Swinson has launched the Liberal Democrats’ Plan for a Brighter Future. Jo will start her nationwide tour today and details of the plan will be delivered to millions of people across the UK by mail and online. The plan outlines the party’s key priority – to Stop Brexit – and sets out a bold vision on how to build a fairer, brighter future for the country. It is a plan to tackle inequalities, confront the climate emergency and give everyone the opportunities they need to succeed.  The old politics has failed. For too many people, working hard and playing by the rules is not enough to guarantee a happy, fulfilling and secure life for them and their children.  A Liberal Democrat government will create a shared vision for the country we want to…

15Jul 2019 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Lib Dems reveal extent of ‘criminal’ Tory police cuts

Community, Home Office, Police

Liberal Democrat analysis of new Home Office figures, has revealed that the Conservative Government cut funding to Derbyshire Police by 6% in real terms between 2015-16 and 2019-20. According to Liberal Democrat analysis, total government funding to all 43 forces (in 2019-20 prices) fell from £8.48 billion in 2015-16 to £7.99 billion in 2019-20. 32 of the 43 forces across the country experienced cuts of 6% or more. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:“Across the country, we are seeing rising crime and falling police. Far too many people now feel unsafe walking down their own streets.“Taking 5,000 police off our streets in the last four years and cutting funding in real-terms by £490 million from 2015-16 to 2019-20 are big Tory crimes." Liberal Democrat Group Leader for North East Derbyshire, Cllr Ross…