Local MPs and councillors have welcomed more than half a billion pounds that will be pumped into small businesses via the Regional Growth Fund, which was announced last week. Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, announced the fourth round of the Regional Growth Fund – half a billion pounds for 100 smaller businesses across the UK. […]

The Office of National Statistics brought out a report this week that makes interesting reading. Thanks to the Lib Dems cutting income tax for the lower paid and raising taxes for the richest, the gap between rich and poor is at its lowest level since 1986.

Dear Resident, Welcome to the latest edition of my Notes from Westminster. July 19th sees the end of the second round of consultation for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road and I am urging local residents to have their say as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander MP, confirms finance deal is in place for necessary funding. Earlier this month, I […]

The Lib Dems in Government have helped businesses create over a million new jobs, and we’re launching a new campaign to create a million more. Find out more and join the campaign here.

If you believe our opponents, not very much.  The truth is different.

Dear Resident, Welcome to the latest edition of my Notes from Westminster. Earlier this month, we had the state opening of Parliament (and, of course, the Queen’s Speech) where the Coalition Government’s programme of measures were set forward. I welcomed a number of measures announced, particularly those that will help support local businesses, carers and pensioners. […]

Dear Resident, Welcome to the latest edition of my Notes from Westminster. The last month has been busy as ever – both in Parliament and in our local area – and as always I shall try to provide you with a brief summary of my activities as your MP: The Lib Dem campaign for a £700 […]

  I like this graph.  Looks a bit boring, doesn’t it?  A few lumps and bumps but essentially just a straight line. Why’s that interesting?  On the day that Margaret Thatcher died, my Twitter feed has been full of arguments about her legacy.  That’s a big question and not one I’m going to attempt to […]

This chart shows how much each UK taxpayer – on average – pays towards different elements of Government spending. It doesn’t give any answers but it shows some of the problems the Government faces.  For every pound we pay for education, we pay nearly 50p towards the interest on our national debt, which is why […]

The Liberal Democrats have delivered on a key front page manifesto commitment in full: millions of ordinary people will get a £700 tax cut compared to the amount of tax they paid under Labour, with many more lower paid people being taken out of paying tax altogether. Under the Coalition Government, the top 10% richest […]