17 Feb 2016
National News
Stop Labour's student tax - sign petition here http://newcastle-libdems.org.uk/en/petition
It calls upon the Labour administration at Newcastle City Council to drop their proposal to apply business rates to student accommodation. Such a move will inevitably lead to rent rises, which will hit students from poor backgrounds hardest - in effect a regressive 'Student Tax'.
17 Feb 2016
Europe-Wide Action Needed On Microplastics To Stop Pollution
Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic, less than 1mm in size. Some are manufactured and used in popular, everyday items like exfoliating facial scrubs. Others are fragments from larger pieces, including synthetic fibres from clothes. These tiny particles are polluting our environment. They attract toxic chemicals to them, are washed into the sea and eaten by animals. The plastics don't break down like natural materials and can be in seafood eaten by people. Some US states are already banning microplastics. However, neither the UK nor EU has done so yet.
17 Feb 2016
Reactionary Labour fails to embrace public sector reform to save money
Newcastle Labour leader Nick Forbes was quick to disparage the idea of carrying out a scrutiny review of whether merger of Newcastle and North Tyneside councils could lead to significant efficiency savings and help to guard against further cuts to services. Under his leadership there has been precious little progress on the theme of shared services and joint working with other councils and public sector organisations, despite huge pressures on budgets. This is an important issue which is worthy of further consideration, and it is regrettable that Cllr Forbes and his Labour colleagues have sought to advance what can only be described as a "straw man" argument against it, rather than genuine evidence. No one is seriously suggesting that Newcastle's city designation or history would disappear. One has only to look to the City of Durham, which retains its city status and mayoralty despite the creation of a Durham unitary council. It could be argued that the North East elected mayor does far more to affect Newca
GS
17 Feb 2016
Investing in European infrastructure
Leading MEPs have expressed the view that a possible Brexit would trigger the collapse of the European Union, EurActiv has learned. The view that Brexit would trigger the breakup of the European Union was expressed during the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament held yesterday (16 February). The EU is facing overlapping crises and a rise of populisms that may herald for the "perfect storm" and the collapse of the Union: http://www.euractiv.com/section/euro-finance/news/meps-fear-brexit-will-trigger-perfect-storm-and-eu-breakup/
PMEM
17 Feb 2016
Thought for the day: On Government Secrecy
The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings.
17 Feb 2016