Hounslow Borough Liberal Democrats

Tories out of touch about foodbanks

2017-05-30T20:02:00Z

Dominic Raab, a Tory former justice minister, says a typical food bank user has a "cash flow problem" rather than living in poverty.

Commenting on the reports, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford and Isleworth, Joe Bourke said:

"These Tory ministers are woefully out of touch and have no idea how much real people are struggling. We are seeing nurses, police officers and the just about managing here in Hounslow having to go to food banks as their paychecks won't stretch any further. People are hurting and the Tories, with comments like this, show they just don't care."

"The real reasons people have to go to food banks are low incomes, benefit delays exacerbated by the introduction of Universal Credit, debt and homelessness."

"These are deeply offensive comments by Dominic Raab and he should apologise. This is the Alan B'Stard view of politics that shames him and his party."

Notes

On the Victoria Derbyshire show, Dominic Raab said:

"What they tend to find is the typical user of food banks is not someone that is languishing in poverty, it is someone who has a cash flow problem episodically."

Published and promoted by Sean Bourke at 104 Boston Manor Road, Brentford, TW8 9LN and Carl Pierce on behalf of Hounslow Liberal Democrats at 3 The Greenway, Hounslow, TW4 7AJ
Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Wages growth stalled according to IFS

2017-04-29T11:24:00Z

Today, IFS researchers show that the employment rate has flattened and real earnings growth stalled. Commenting, Lib Dem Spokesman for Brentford and Isleworth Joe Bourke, said:

"This stall in average earnings is yet another sign that this Government is failing ordinary workers. Despite a huge increase in the take up of higher education, this has not translated into any gains for take home wages.

"This data shows that people are poorer under the Tories and have not seen wages come back to the pre-recession level, while prices and bills seem to spiral upwards. It is scandalous that it will take 14 years for people to feel as rich as they were in 2007."

After adjusting for inflation, average earnings of employees are still substantially below pre-recession levels, and are currently being squeezed by rising household inflation (linked in large part to falls in sterling). Central forecasts from the OBR imply average earnings will still be lower than their 2007-08 level in 2021‒22.

Lib Dems: Fall in GDP growth is sign of Brexit slowdown

2017-04-28T09:42:00Z

GDP growth in the first three months of 2017 fell to 0.3%, down from 0.7% in the previous quarter, figures published by the Office of National Statistics have shown.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Susan Kramer commented:

"This suggests the Brexit slowdown is beginning to take effect, as prices rise and the consumer spending that has buoyed our economy plummets.

"But the bad news will only get worse if the Conservatives are allowed to pursue their hard Brexit agenda and put our economy and jobs at risk.

Brentford and Isleworth Liberal Democrat spokesman Joe Bourke added:

"It's no surprise the Chancellor has chosen to hide away today instead of attempting to defend this government's reckless choice to leave the single market.

"If you want to change the direction of our country, keep Britain in the single market and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit, this is your chance. Vote Liberal Democrat on 8th June."

"Fight to the finish," say Hounslow Lib Dems

2010-05-04T23:00:00Z

In a campaign that has seen the Liberal Democrats overtake Labour in this constituency at the bookies - and receive endorsement from local resident, actor and campaigner Colin Firth - it is now clear that the local contest on Thursday 6th May will go right to the wire. Cllr Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, the main challenger to both Labour and Conservatives, says every vote for the Liberal Democrats will count more than ever this time.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat prospective MP, said:

"Ann Keen has been losing support for over a decade. She is a deeply unpopular MP. With a swing of 9% again from Labour to the Lib Dems we can provide people with a new approach and more accessible representation in Parliament.

"Over the past few weeks we have experienced a phenomenal ground swell of support with financial donations, new volunteers and poster sites flowing in thick and fast. This election is now going right to the wire.

"Brentford and Isleworth needs real change. I have been rooted in the community my entire life, people know me as a hard-working local councillor and a committed environmentalist.

"If elected as your new MP, I will work with Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats to ensure that change comes about. A fairer tax system. A fair chance for every child. A fair future: creating jobs by making Britain greener. A fairer voting system where you have the right to sack your MP.

"It is time for a fundamental change in British politics. Labour promised electoral reform in 1997 but failed to deliver it. The Conservatives are opposed to it. Both Labour and Conservative supported the de-regulation of the financial sector that led to the economic crisis. Only the Lib Dems warned against it.

"Don't let the old parties scare you with their negative attacks. Don't let the old parties tell you that things can't be different. They can be.

"With your support on tomorrow Britain can have real change with the Liberal Democrats."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Andrew Dakers' campaign can be followed at www.andrewdakers.com and he will be 'Tweeting' throughout Election Day.

"Six to fix" - Hounslow Lib Dems launch Local Election Manifesto

2010-04-06T23:00:00Z

Hounslow Liberal Democrats have today launched their local election manifesto setting out a radical approach to tackling unemployment and guiding our community towards a more healthy, green and resilient lifestyle.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats and Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth constituency, said:

"We are proposing a clear raft of measures that would make a huge difference to peoples' lives in Hounslow. Our "Six to Fix" sets out our core policies and shows that a real change can be made by voting Liberal Democrat."

The "Six to fix" are:

1. Pilot a change of Jobseekers Allowance to a 'part-time employment guarantee'.

2. Push for improvements in our local health services.

3. Empower communities to make local decisions for justice in cases of Anti Social Behaviour.

4. Rebuild our roads and pavements.

5. Invest in our Primary and Secondary schools.

6. Support all our communities in transitioning to low carbon lifestyles.

In his introduction to the Lib Dem election manifesto for Hounslow, Cllr Andrew Dakers, writes:

"Local government touches the lives of every resident. From nursery education to rubbish collection to tackling climate change, councils have a responsibility to ensure that local services are provided in a responsive, efficient and effective manner, in accordance with the needs and wishes of local people. The Local Council elections on Thursday 6 May will decide how local services costing £186.1 million are run and how they are paid for.

"35 years of Labour control and then 4 years of the Tories mean that local government does not fulfil its responsibilities; real decision-making is remote from local people and conducted in an arrogant manner - a survey of residents in 2008 found that only a third of people in Hounslow ﴾34 per cent﴿ feel they can influence local decisions.

"You, the people of Hounslow, have a clear choice at this election - a choice between four more years of Tory muddle, or the opportunity of a radical approach to tackling unemployment and transitioning our community towards a more healthy, green and resilient lifestyle."

Jin Jhooti, Lib Dem council candidate in Bedfont ward, added:

"If you read our manifesto you will see that it is different from the others. We don't only propose policy changes. We also want fundamental changes in the way those policies are decided.

"We don't have the financial means of the Labour and Conservative parties to deliver endless glossy publications through the letter box. We hope that voters looking for a better way of running politics will take the time to look at the policies on our website. Our manifesto can be downloaded from www.hounslowlibdems.org.uk."

New figures show pub closures continue in London - Dakers

2010-04-04T23:00:00Z

Cllr Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency is backing moves to support British pubs after new figures showed the number of pub closures in London running at six a week. The "I'm backing the pub" campaign aims to mobilise public support for pubs pubs as an essential part of community life.

The UK beer and pub sector employs more than half a million people. Yet region statistics released by the British Beer and Pub Association show that dozens of pubs are closing every week across the country.

Cllr Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said: "Pubs are a vital part of the local community here in Brentford & Isleworth constituency. They provide employment for many local people - including local brewers Fullers - and well run pubs also promote responsible drinking.

"The latest closure figures shows that more action needs to be taken to support this essential part of our way of life. That's why the 'I'm Backing the Pub' campaign is so important."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. 'CAMRA's beer drinkers and pub goers charter' is promoted on www.andrewdakers.com and can also be downloaded from http://www.camra.org.uk/charter

2. "I'm backing the pub" is seeking to work with all those most affected by pub closures including those in the sport and recreation, hospitality, music and tourism industries. With all of these groups coming together, the campaign will work to show politicians the huge contribution the pub makes to local life in Britain - and highlight the negative effects of increased taxes and regulation on the pub industry.

"I'm backing the Pub" is led by the British Beer & Pub Association, whose members brew 98 per cent of the UK's beer and own more than half of Britain's 54,000 pubs. You can learn more about the BBPA at www.beerandpub.com. The campaign is supported by a number of organisations including the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and many other organisations, politicians, and celebrities.

Dakers welcomes approval of development plans for Alfa Laval Great West Road site

2009-12-02T00:00:00Z

After due consideration Cllr Dakers supported proposals for a 'mixed use' development scheme brought to Hounslow's Sustainable Development Committee (25 Nov) for the former Alfa Laval site on the Great West Road. The scheme will include refurbishment of the Alfa Building for use as a 180-bed hotel and redevelopment of the remainder of the site to provide a 151-bed hotel, 4,677 sqm offices, 228 sqm retail/community use, 206 flats, maisonettes and houses, together with associated public and private open spaces, access, service areas, plant, landscaping and 351 car parking spaces. A number of green innovations, such as roof top allotments and beehives, should be included in the scheme. Cllr Dakers has been encouraging more sustainable design for sites across the borough over the past four years.

Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Councillor for Brentford ward, said:

"I was delighted to approve this scheme which will be a very significant investment in Brentford. A few details still need to be resolved such as whether the Combined Heat and Power plant will be able to use different fuel sources and the level of funding for a community space, but we are nearly there."

"Particularly innovations that I have advocated and the developers agreed are rooftop 'tanked' allotments and beehives. This will help address the shortage of allotments in the area encouraging local growing and also help support the global bee population, which is under threat."

A £1,400 tax cut for every working couple in Hounslow Borough - Dakers

2009-11-30T00:00:00Z

Cllr Dakers and Lib Dem shadow chancellor Vince Cable MP

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, Cllr Andrew Dakers, today welcomed the party's new plans to bring in a fairer tax system. Under the Liberal Democrats no-one will pay a penny's tax on the first £10,000 they earn each year. The proposals give every working person a £700 tax cut - £1,400 less tax a year for every working couple. Pensioners will each receive a £100 tax cut. And 4 million of the poorest people will be taken out of paying income tax completely.

Cllr Dakers, prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said:

"While the Tories are only interested in helping out their super-rich friends, our fairer tax system will give tax cuts to all Brentford & Isleworth Constituency's workers.

"I know how useful working families will find the £1,400 tax cut they will receive from the Liberal Democrats each year.

"And I know it is absolutely right that tax loopholes are closed to pay for those cuts. It is only fair."

Along with closing a series of tax loopholes the Liberal Democrats will introduce a mansion tax - a 1% levy on the value of homes worth more than £2m.

Cllr Dakers added:

"No one in a home worth less than £2m will pay a penny of extra tax on their property.

"This is a tax that will only hit the very richest in the country - a very small number of people in Brentford & Isleworth constituency - and the wider Hounslow Borough."

The Liberal Democrats will replace council tax with a local income tax, based on people's ability to pay. Money raised locally will be spent locally, improving the community we live in.

Cllr Dakers added:

"Not only is council tax unfair, penalising pensioners who no longer work, but the money is spent by faceless bureaucrats in Whitehall.

"Under Lib Dem plans what's raised in Brentford & Isleworth Constituency will be spent in the area - directly improving our community. What could be fairer than that?"

Welcome for small businesses action plan - Hounslow Liberal Democrats

2008-10-22T23:00:00Z

Cllr Andrew Dakers has welcomed Nick Clegg and Vince Cables plans to support small business

Liberal Democrats in Hounslow have backed plans to help small businesses survive the looming recession. The plan by the party to boost businesses was launched by leader Nick Clegg and the party's Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable. The plan includes: a substantial cut in interest rates to lower the cost of loans and investment; immediately overhauling the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme to improve government support for business loans; banks which receive government financial assistance adopting a new code of conduct on rearranging business credit and overdrafts; and developing with energy companies an assistance package for small businesses struggling with high energy bills

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, said:

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy here in Hounslow. It is vital that we give them a fighting chance to get through the recession. The government has given a massive bailout to the banks. But ministers must now look at the bigger economy. Small businesses here in Hounslow, and throughout the country generally, are suffering from the downturn. Profits are being squeezed and jobs are at risk.

"A big cut in interest rates will be a big boost to many local businesses and could mean the difference between staying open or closing down. Nick Clegg and Vince Cable have taken the lead with their plan to help businesses and I am giving it my full backing."

Cllr Dakers has chaired Brentford High Street Steering Group since 2006. This multi-stakeholder group - supported by councillors from across the political spectrum - has worked on a variety of initiatives to support Brentford High Street in the short term as well as developing a longer term vision for the town centre's regeneration.

Liberal Democrats propose Economic Recovery Plan

2008-09-30T23:00:00Z

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Shadow Chancellor Vincent Cable MP has led the development of the party's economic recovery plan

Gordon Brown's proposals to deal with the economic slowdown are too little too late, say Hounslow Borough Liberal Democrats. The party has published its own package of proposals designed to help people left struggling by the credit crunch. And the plans are being strongly backed by members in Hounslow. The Liberal Democrat measures include tax cuts for low and middle income households, stopping unnecessary repossessions, action to cut energy bills and moves to stop reckless banks jeopardising economic security.

Cllr Dakers, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson in Brentford & Isleworth, said:

"Gordon Brown's response to the economic crisis has been too little, too late.

"Here in Hounslow and across Britain people are struggling with rising bills, rising prices, and wages that aren't keeping up.

"If the Prime Minister really wants to help people on low and middle incomes he should take the simple and obvious step of cutting their taxes, releasing billions of pounds to boost the economy.

"The Liberal Democrats have consistently called for action to cut energy bills, stop irresponsible behaviour by banks and deliver more help for those threatened with repossession. If Gordon Brown had acted when we first raised these issues we would not be in as deep a mess as we are."

Key points of the Lib Dem Fairer Future Economic Recovery Plan

• Put more money in people's pockets - tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes

• Stop unnecessary home repossessions and provide more affordable housing

• Make energy companies reinvest their windfall profits in cutting bills

• Extra help for people in debt or who lose their jobs

• Tough new rules to limit the excesses of the City

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT FAIRER FUTURE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN

1. Action on the housing crisis - stop unnecessary repossessions and provide more social housing

• Allow families struggling with repayments to sell all or part of the equity in their house and rent it back from a housing association or private firm to help keep them in their home

• Introduce a statutory Code of Practice for mortgage lenders to ensure that repossession is only ever the last resort

• Allow councils and housing associations to borrow against their assets to buy up unsold properties and land from building companies in order to replenish the social housing stock

2. Action to put more money in people's pockets - tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes

• Cut basic income tax by 4p in the pound, paid for by upping taxes on pollution and closing tax loopholes used by the rich

• Get tough on unnecessary and wasteful government spending, and use some of the money saved to cut taxes even further for those on low and middle incomes

3. Action to limit the excesses of the City

• Firm up the policy of stopping destabilising short-selling of bank shares by hedge funds

• Require banks to hold more capital in periods of boom and less in recession, helping to prevent the boom and bust cycle characterised by extremes of irresponsible lending

• Decisive action to curb the bonus culture using regulation where necessary to stop large payments which destabilise the financial system by encouraging reckless risk-taking

• More effective regulation of those institutions, like hedge funds, that are not subject to the same degree of security and transparency as others.

4. Action to deliver future economic stability

• Include house prices in the considerations of the Bank of England when setting interest rates to manage inflation

• Independent monitoring of the Government's fiscal rules

5. Action to cut energy bills and fight fuel poverty

• Compel energy companies to re-invest the £9 billion profit they have made in kind from the Emissions Trading Scheme into cutting bills through -

o The roll out of social tariffs to over two million vulnerable customers

o Installation of smart meters, which show consumption costs

o A £500 million a year rolling programme to make sure homes are properly insulated

6. Action to help people with debt problems

• Roll out a national network of free independent financial advice centres, to ensure that individuals with debt problems can seek assistance promptly and professionally

• Expand the social fund, increasing the amount of short term emergency affordable loans, to help low income families pay off high interest debt

7. Action to help people who lose their jobs

• Personalised help to suit jobseekers' individual needs

• Increase the cost of work permits for foreign workers, and direct the money to fund more training for low skilled and unemployed workers already in Britain

8. Action to deliver 'green-collar' jobs and energy independence

• Big investment in renewables, home insulation and railways will create thousands of jobs

9. Action to reinvigorate global trade

• Work within the EU to unlock the stalemate on agricultural trade between the rich and the developing world, and bring down prices worldwide

'Where has all the money gone?' demand Lib Dems

2006-03-22T00:00:00Z

Today, Gordon Brown delivered his tenth budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer. But with more and more people feeling let down by New Labour, the Liberal Democrats are asking where all the money has gone over the years Labour has been in power.

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, says:

"Taxes and red tape have increased year on year but now hospitals are announcing cuts in nursing staff as they slip into debt. At the same time, businesses are having to spend more and more time on bureaucracy."

Unlike Labour and the Tories, the Liberal Democrat team in Parliament has won a reputation for putting honest choices before spin.

The Lib Dems took the lead in exposing the tax credit fiasco and we are demanding urgent action to tackle the growing personal debt crisis. You can find out more about our policies at www.libdems.org.uk/economy

At the same time we are calling on the Government to deal with the major threats of climate change by taking effective action to protect our environment.

Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, added:

"The contrast between the principled approach of the Liberal Democrats under Sir Menzies Campbell and the Conservatives could not be greater. The Tories hope that by copying New Labour spin, we will all forget what a mess they made of running the economy the last time they were in power.

Liberal Democrats want an economy that is stable and well managed and based on fairer, not higher, taxes and honest choices. If you support us, join us by visiting www.libdems.org.uk/support

3360 Hounslow pensioners missing out on Pension Credit - Dakers & Khalsa

2005-10-29T15:58:00Z

Andrew Dakers at Age Concern Hounslow where he raised concerns regarding Pension Credit during this year's general election campaign

New figures on the take up of Pension Credit show that 3360 pensioners in Hounslow Borough are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs.

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, said:

"It is a scandal that so many poorer older people are missing out on money they should be getting as of right. For Hounslow Borough this scandal represents a loss to the local economy of as much as £200,000."

Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Feltham & Heston, added:

"In the short term, I hope everyone who is unsure about their entitlements rings the Pension Service helpline to find out if they are missing out.

"In the long term, we need to provide pensioners with a decent pension that isn't falling further and further below the poverty line each year."

LETTER: Green holidays

2005-05-23T23:00:00Z

Andrew Dakers (Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth) with Mike Cox (Parlimentary Spokesperson for Hillingdon) and Sally Hamwee (London Assembly Member) at the protest outside the CBI in London

Dear Editor, Yesterday morning I found myself once again pounding the streets campaigning for a sustainable economy and use of our environment resources. With fellow Liberal Democrats, Sally Hamwee (London Assembly member), Mike Cox (Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson in Hillingdon) and Sarah Ludford (MEP), I was supporting the protest against a third runway and the new lobby group Future Heathrow. Disappointingly Clive Soley (former Labour MP and now Lord) has decided to take up the role of Campaigns Director for this organisation. Some have accused him of selling out -- I just see a complete lack of vision or understanding of the fragility of our planet.

What we now required to address the challenge of future growth of Heathrow is: 1) recognition by government that our local economy can develop without being entirely dependent on Heathrow airport; and 2) tough decisions in our personal lives. A local economy dependent on Heathrow will be less resilient to future recessions, increases in oil prices or changes in the way business is done internationally (for example video conferencing further establishing itself). So why not instead invest in diversifying the local economy?

In Brentford, Chiswick, Hounslow & Isleworth many of us will have taken cheap flights. A practical step we can all consider is first of all off-setting our CO2 emissions through organisations like www.futureforests.com who are planting forests (carbon sinks) to compensate for the emissions we all generate in our lives. A second more radical step of course will be to start taking more holidays in the UK. Whilst I believe international travel is a great way to discover and understand the planet we live on, this must be balanced with the environmental impacts we generate. This is why when I take my first break after the election campaign I will be heading north to Manchester and Newcastle to spend a long weekend exploring these great British cities.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Dakers

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth

Hounslow Borough Liberal Democrats

Tories out of touch about foodbanks

Wages growth stalled according to IFS

Lib Dems: Fall in GDP growth is sign of Brexit slowdown

"Fight to the finish," say Hounslow Lib Dems

Related Links

"Six to fix" - Hounslow Lib Dems launch Local Election Manifesto

New figures show pub closures continue in London - Dakers

Dakers welcomes approval of development plans for Alfa Laval Great West Road site

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A £1,400 tax cut for every working couple in Hounslow Borough - Dakers

Welcome for small businesses action plan - Hounslow Liberal Democrats

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Liberal Democrats propose Economic Recovery Plan

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'Where has all the money gone?' demand Lib Dems

3360 Hounslow pensioners missing out on Pension Credit - Dakers & Khalsa

LETTER: Green holidays