Today's victory for Tony Blair's Labour Government in the debate on the Higher Education Bill is a a nail in the coffin of equal educational opportunities for all. Despite all the so-called concessions, grants and jiggery pokery put forward by the government in recent weeks students will still graduate with debts of up to £30,000 or even £64,ooo for medical students.
Serena Tierney, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Mid Sussex, today welcomed the news that Liberal Democrats in Parliament have defeated government proposals to give unelected bodies the power to make strategic planning decisions:
Surrey County Council has inadequate information on the performance of the contract to provide school transport in Surrey; Surrey County Council's Corporate Management Select Committee has been informed. It was admitted that the contract to provide school transport was not set up in a way that allows the County Council to check whether what the contractors are doing is the most efficient and cost effective way of providing the service.
Auditors KPMG have warned in their annual audit inspection that £26 million, already given to the County Council for its waste disposal scheme, might have to be returned to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). If this happened there would be extremely grave consequences for the Council's financial position. So at next Tuesday's meeting of Surrey County Council, Lib Dem County Councillor Tom Sharp will ask what steps the Tory administration are taking to ensure that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not reclaim £26m already given to the County Council for its waste disposal scheme.
The Liberal Democrats have defeated the Government in a crucial vote at Committee stage of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill.
20,000 homes in the Totnes Constituency will soon be receiving a detailed questionnaire through their letter box asking for their views on a wide range of issues that are important to us all. The survey covers housing, health, education and many other aspects that affect our daily lives. Speaking at the launch Totnes Constituency Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, Mike Treleaven said:
