Education

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…

10Dec 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

On 12th December vote for a brighter future

Budget, Business, Democracy, Economics, Education, Energy, Environment, Equality, Europe, Representation

The Economy Both Brexit and the Labour Party's excessive spending plans threaten our country's future economic stability. That isn't just our opinion, the IFS is saying it too. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to protect British jobs and public services. The NHS Save the NHS by putting a penny in the pound on income tax to give the NHS and social care the cash they need. Make waiting times for mental health care match those for physical health care. Climate Change Ban fracking, and more than double green energy to 80% by 2030. Ensure that 26 million properties receive insulation retrofits by 2025, prioritising the fuel poor, saving the average household £550 per year on energy bills. Policing Increase community policing, investing an extra £300 million…

28Aug 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

The Parents’ Guide To Internet Safety

Education

The core principle of liberalism is to build a world in which all people share the same basic rights, in which they live together in peace and in which their different cultures will be able to develop freely. We each have a part to play in protecting our youngsters from harm, be that bullying or other kinds of abuse, and modern technology means that sometimes happens right under our noses - without our knowledge. Ahead of young people returning to school and college we'd like to share the The Parents Guide to Internet Safety (please note the link takes you to an external site).

19Jun 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

School cuts are failing pupils with SEND

Education, Equality

Responding to tonight’s report by Newsnight, revealing that more than 1,500 pupils with special educational needs or a disability (SEND) across 46 councils do not have a school place, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “SEND pupils are falling through the gaps of a fragmented, underfunded school system. Brutal Conservative cuts to schools and the spiralling demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) mean that too many children with the most complex needs are not getting the tailored support they are entitled to. “Meanwhile, cash-strapped councils must ensure every child has a school place but are powerless to make it happen. They can’t sponsor new schools or control academies’ admissions policies. “The Liberal Democrats demand better for our children’s futures. We would give schools an emergency cash…

19Apr 2019 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Shocking figures ‘highlights the extent of Derbyshire County Council’s failings in Children’s Services’ say Lib Dems

Education, Health, News, Welfare, Young People

A Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats revealed that Derbyshire County Council successfully defended just 4.35% of cases where Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) were disputed for Special Educational Needs and Disability provision in 2018. EHCPs are for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support. The plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs. So they are designed to identify essential support for some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Ross Shipman, the Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for N-E Derbyshire, said: “It’s absolutely terrible. The Tory controlled council are failing the most vulnerable children in Derbyshire; and in the vast majority of cases the…

26Oct 2018 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Second Labour Council condemned for ‘pathetic’ local plan consultation

Business, Community, Consultation, Economics, Education, Environment, Housing, Traffic

Research by the Liberal Democrats reveal that less than 1% of the North East Derbyshire District responded to the consultation on the local plan, which the authority has recently submitted to the planning inspectorate for approval at the inquiry in November.1034 individuals and organisations submitted 2263 representations, 57% (1034) were objections to the Labour authorities local plan with only 14% (298) expressing support for Labour's local plan. 43% of the respondents were submitted by Dronfield Residents.During the consultation, North East Derbyshire District Council held events around the District, the Freedom of Information request shows that only 231 out of over 100,000 population attended those events across North East Derbyshire. Lib Dem Spokesperson for North East Derbyshire and Bolsover, Ross Shipman said: "This is the second local Labour Council to have clearly…

28Sep 2018 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Vital that Govt listen to headteachers says Layla Moran MP

Education

Speaking ahead of today’s [28/09/2018] march on Westminster by up to a thousand headteachers protesting at cuts to school budgets, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: "Head teachers are on the front line, trying to manage funding cuts and swelling class sizes every day. They have every right to speak out about the devastating toll this is taking on the quality of education in their schools. "The Tory Government have ignored countless warnings that schools are cutting staff numbers, dropping subjects from the curriculum and even asking parents to chip in with donations to make ends meet. It has to stop. "The Liberal Democrats demand better. We wholeheartedly support the headteachers in their protest. It is vital that this time the Government finally listens to them and puts an…

07Sep 2018 by Ross Shipman No Comments

Chesterfield College ban political parties from Freshers week

Education, Representation, Young People

North Derbyshire Liberal Democrats call on Chesterfield college to rethink the decision to exclude political parties from their annual freshers week. In previous years all political groups have been welcomed to the event which is hosted by the college for all new students that are enrolling for that year. Chesterfield Lib Dem Youth Officer, Matthew Genn said: "I am disappointed with the decision by Chesterfield College not to allow political parties to be present at their upcoming Freshers Fair. For reasons unknown and frankly bizarre in my opinion." "This is especially concerning givien the importance that young voters played in both the EU referendum and last years general election. Clearly this shows that young people, when given the opportunity can be interested and be involved." "All Chesterfield College has done with…