A new government directive could see the closure of seventy seven schools across Essex according to figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats. The recent Government directive sent to local authorities, made clear that councils would only get extra money for new primary schools if they had decisive plans to ensure that no school has more than a quarter surplus places.
LIBERAL Democrats in Hinckley & Bosworth are calling on local MPs David Tredinnick and Stephen Dorrell to explain why they sat on the fence when a cash settlement for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council that is below the average rise given to other councils was agreed by the House of Commons.
Speaking today (Thursday 7th February) in the Scottish Parliament, Alison McInnes, LibDem MSP for North East Scotland, refused to throw LibDem backing behind the SNP's local government settlement.
Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have welcomed the Council's approval of its proposal for more protection of open space from unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller encampments. £40,000 will now be spent on physical protection of public spaces from unauthorised encampments after the Lib Dems won the backing of the council for the work at last night's budget meeting.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw is facing calls to explain himself after he revealed that he had been told in December that Labour MP Sadiq Khan had been meeting terror suspect Babar Ahmad at Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes in December. Officials have conceded that they were aware the meeting might have been bugged although the Justice Secretary insists he was not made aware of this allegation until last Saturday. Mr Straw insisted earlier this week that the eavesdropping operation involving Mr Khan was not sanctioned by ministers.
Brian Paddick's autobiography Line of Fire is due out on 25th March, and can now be pre-ordered from the Shepway Lib Dems shop at www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/amazonshop
