Concern about local youth clubs
Dear Editor.
Dear Editor.
The Tory budget is proposing to cut grants to voluntary organisations in Surrey by £838,000. This means a significant reduction in the money available to organisations that have a fundamental role in supporting Surrey residents and will cause an already fragile sector to fail in key areas.
The Tories' BDR (Business Delivery Review) will adversely affect the County Council's countryside services. The proposals, if approved, will:
The Tories' Business Delivery Review (BDR) will hit Surrey Arts, Music and Museums. Surrey County Arts currently provides 278,000 music lessons annually. However, tuition fees in Surrey are already 30% higher than the national average. Some 42% of local authorities do not charge any tuition fees.
Amongst the cuts in Surrey County Council front line services proposed by the Conservatives' "BDR review" is the closure of the local libraries, at Bagshot, Caterham Hill, Ewell Court, Hersham, New Haw and Virginia Water. The decision will be taken at the County Council meeting on 11th April. If it is agreed to go ahead, the libraries will be closed from September 2006. County Councillor Diana Smith, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Community Services. said: "It makes no sense to close these popular facilities, especially as the BDR itself admits that the aim is not to save money, only to meet a CPA target imposed by the Labour government."
Willie Rennie's election as the new MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, home of chancellor Gordon Brown, takes the total of Liberal Democrat in the House of Commons to 63. His by-election victory not only saw a 16% swing from New Labour to the Liberal Democrats, it also saw David Cameron's Conservatives retain fourth place with a swing of 9% from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats.
Ed Davey's Leaders' Speech to Autumn Conference Speech 2026
The Liberal Democrats will take 2.5 million people out of paying income tax altogether by raising the tax-free personal allowance to £15,000.
The Liberal Democrats are standing up for British farmers, protecting our countryside, and taking decisive action to secure affordable, locally grown food for generations to come.
By clamping down on illegal supply chains, holding tech platforms to account, and keeping our pavements safe for pedestrians, the Liberal Democrats are ensuring our towns and cities remain safe, accessible, and active.
The Liberal Democrats are standing up for billpayers, protecting our waterways, and demanding a water system that serves the public interest.
The Liberal Democrats are ready to establish the UK as a world leader in responsible, democratic AI - backing home-grown talent, protecting national security, and ensuring technology works for everyone.