Shepway's Shops Must Not Suffer Due to Chinese Textile Farce
Commenting on the talks between Chinese and EU negotiators regarding textile imports, Liberal Democrat Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said:
25 Aug 2005
Folkestone and Hythe News
GP Appointments should suit patients not targets
The Liberal Democrats said today that GPs should be able to arrange appointments to suit the needs of patients, not government targets. A YouGov poll revealed only 44 per cent of people asked were able to book an appointment with their GP within the 48 hour target.
22 Aug 2005
Smoking Survey Shows Shepway as Kent's Fourth Heaviest Smokers
A new report showing the true extent to which smoking affects the lives of people in the South East has been launched by the South East Public Health Observatory (SEPHO). The report shows the proportion of people that smoke in each Local Authority in the South East and has new figures showing the cost of smoking to business and to the NHS in the region.
22 Aug 2005
Kent Sees Youth Drunk and Disorderly Arrest Doubles in 7 Years
New figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats reveal the extent of under age drunken anti-social behaviour across England. Since Labour came to power some areas have seen a massive rise in the numbers of youths arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour. Surrey has seen massive 111% rise and Kent a 98% jump.
21 Aug 2005
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust Privatises Management of Passenger Transport Services
Following a review of the East Kent Non Emergency Patient Transport Service (PTS) by the East Kent NHS Trust, "leadership and senior management" responsibilities are to be passed to the private sector.
20 Aug 2005
Tribute to Mo Mowlam
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam, died at a hospice in Kent this morning. She was admitted to hospital following a fall at home earlier this month and never regained consciousness.
19 Aug 2005
Are Shepway's Students being Fazed by Fees?
A survey from NatWest has shown that 49% of this year's first year students admit that they would have been less likely to start university in 2006 because of top-up fees coming info effect. With students across Shepway awaiting A Level results, the Liberal Democrats are worried that many local young people could choose not to go onto further education due to the cost of top-up fees.
15 Aug 2005
South-East Sees Big Increase in Drink Related Deaths
Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have shown the number of alcohol-related deaths has increased by nearly a fifth in four years. In the South East deaths rose from 725 in 2000 to 842 in 2004 - a rise of 16.1%
14 Aug 2005
Lydd Airport Action Group Presentation
Are you aware that Lydd Airport is proposing to increase passenger numbers at Lydd Airport from 4500 per annum in 2003 to 2 million per annum in 2011, and to further increase number to 6 million per annum by 2021? This would make the airport comparable to Luton Airport today.
10 Aug 2005
Threat to Shepway Businesses of Government's Making
Up to 50,000 businesses which provide alcohol, hot food or entertainment after 11pm may have to shut temporarily after failing to reapply for licences. Businesses across Kent including in Shepway are expected to have been affected - in some parts of the county nearly half the licensees have not submitted their forms, according to council figures. New licences will be needed from 24 November.
8 Aug 2005
Lib Dems expose 'Health underclass' ID card fears
Identity cards could create a "health underclass", the Liberal Democrats have warned as opponents of the scheme intensify their campaign. Lib Dem health spokesman Steve Webb said he feared people without ID cards could be prevented from seeing NHS doctors - except in emergencies.
5 Aug 2005
Lydd Airport expansion 'bad for area'
Airport expansion is bad for the South East's economy, a report has claimed. Friends of the Earth said the boom in aviation is costing the region three times more than it gains. Using data from the Office of National Statistics, it said UK travellers are spending £2.7bn more abroad per year than foreigners flying to the area.
5 Aug 2005