Policies and Achievements 

Housing

With 1.63 million families on waiting lists for social housing and over 93,000 families registered as homeless by local authorities the Liberal Democrats propose to bring in a range of provisions to give local authorities the powers they need to tackle housing problems in their area.

The Environment

Global warming has become an increasingly important issue for the public.  Since the housing sector accounts for 27% of the total carbon emissions in the country it is Liberal Democrat policy to improve the energy efficiency of existing housing through a wide range of incentives.  Indeed the environment has always been important to Liberals.

Legal Aid

The Liberal Democrats oppose the government's intention to change from an hourly rate to a fixed payment for legal aid.  The Law Society predicts that this change will lead to around 800 law practices abandoning legal aid, the consequences being a shortage of legal aid for those in need.

The European Union

The Liberal Democrats are a pro-European party; however, they also support having a referendum on the adoption of the Euro as a national currency, and another on whether to stay in or leave the EU altogether.  They also believe that the EU should be made more democratic, accountable and that certain powers should be returned to national governments.

Council Tax

The Council Tax punishes pensioners and people on low incomes.  They pay a far higher proportion of their income in tax than the very rich do.  A Local Income Tax is based very simply on your ability to pay.  It would be run through the existing Inland Revenue Income Tax mechanism - so saving hundreds of millions - while at the same time ensuring that the typical households pay hundreds of pounds less, especially pensioners.

For a more detailed description look here.

Liverpool

After the Liberal Democrats took control of Liverpool city council from Labour in 1998 they have turned a decrepit and barely functioning city council into one worthy of winning the status of European Capital of Culture for 2008.  A recent independent Audit Commission gave Liverpool four out of four stars for its benefits administration service and three stars each for their children's services, adult social care and the environment.

Cambridge

The Audit Commission also claimed that Cambridge, another Lib Dem run council, was the best financially run council in the country.  In the past year Cambridge council has managed to achieve an overall recycling rate of 40%, they have provided a loan scheme for house deposits to aid homeless people in gaining access to safe and secure housing, and they have used Safer City grants for projects that seek to engage young people through sport and so divert them from anti-social behaviour.

Kingston upon Thames

The Liberal Democrat controlled council of Kingston upon Thames has had its social services, education and children's services consistently recognised as being among the very best in the country.  In 2008 Kingston received just £208 per person compared to a London average of £480, yet despite this lack of funding from the central government the council still managed to improve services.  If they were to receive the average funding that goes to London councils they would be able to cut their council tax bills by almost 60%.

Somerset

The 'Commission for Social Care Inspection' awarded Somerset County Council their top three star rating for the fourth year in succession, which puts them in the top two for the whole country.  The council also made good progress in the past year towards their commitment to provide 33 new Children's Centres in the county by the middle of 2008.  The Centres will supply parents with advice on matters such as child development and parenting.  They will also offer high-quality childcare, and pre-school education, as well as providing support for those wishing to enter training or employment.  You may have guessed that Somerset County Council is run by the Liberal Democrats.

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