Liberal Democrats publish plans for fairer and greener
Today the Liberal Democrat tax commission unveiled its proposals for a fairer, greener and simpler tax system.
11 Aug 2006
News
A Labour MP resigns from Government over Blair's handling of the Middle East crisis
Jim Sheridan, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, resigned as a parliamentary private secretary to the defence team in protest at the UK Government's policy on the Middle East
10 Aug 2006
Liberal Democrats are key signatories to cross party letter to recall Parliament
The Liberal Democrats are key signatories to a cross-party letter to be delivered to the Leader of the House of Commons calling for a recall of Parliament. Liberal Democrats Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell said "If Parliament had not been in recess the Prime Minister would have been expected to make a statement on the current crisis in the Middle East. Given the uncertainties and worsening situation in the Middle East, Parliament needs to be recalled as a matter of urgency."
9 Aug 2006
Support for Green taxes from influential Commons Committee
The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the backing of Green Taxes by the Commons Environmental Audit Committee. The Committee has said taxes on air travel and "gas guzzling" cars should be raised to cut greenhouse gas emissions. A new report criticises the Department of Transport for adopting a "fatalistic" attitude towards cutting emissions caused by increased travel and said transport is the only sector of the UK economy where carbon emissions have risen consistently since 1990.
8 Aug 2006
Re-using empty homes could save carbon emissions of 16 million cars
Tackling the rise in the number of empty homes could help cut carbon emissions equivalent to 16 million cars, according to new research by the Liberal Democrats. Figures show that there has been a 10% rise in the number of empty homes since 1997. If more empty homes were re-used, sparing extra housing development, as much as 25 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved.
7 Aug 2006
ID Card plan secretive, expensive and inconsistent
Tony Blair's determination to press ahead with plans to introduce identity cards received a double blow today when two reports accused the Government of confusion and of keeping the public in the dark. A Commons committee reported that plans for ID cards were "inconsistent" and "lacking clarity" and questioned the Home Office's claim that the overall cost would be half the £19bn estimate of analysts. Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, found that the Treasury analysis of the scheme was being unfairly kept secret and ordered details to be made public.
4 Aug 2006