Prescott's Shadow

As the party's Shadow Secretary for the Office of Deputy Prime Minister, I am in charge of Lib Dem policy on local government, including housing and planning.

For full details of the areas that I cover visit the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

20.11.03

Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat ODPM Shadow, can today reveal that across England the poorest pay more in Council Tax than the better off.
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19.11.03

Local Government Finance Settlement: At the heart of this statement is a funding gap of £500 million which means that authorities will be forced either to hike Council Tax or to slash services.
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19.11.03

Warning of "double digit" council tax rises or major cuts in public services next April, Edward Davey said the time for "tinkering" was over. The Government should "fast track" their own current research into replacing council tax with a local income tax.
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18.11.03

Kent County Council has decided not to proceed with its pensioner Council Tax rebate scheme. This scheme has always been an unfair and expensive idea.
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5.11.03

Every responsible firefighter must realise that a wildcat strike on fireworks night is beyond the pale. People's safety must be priority No. 1. There must be no strikes tonight.
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4.11.03

There is no place for wildcat action in our fire service.
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3.11.03

Another firefighter strike would be disastrous and has to be avoided.
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3.11.03

John Prescott needs to get tough with his demands for real regional government.
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29.10.03

By giving extra cash to local authorities the Government tries to draw attention away from the ever increasing council tax.
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7.10.03

The Tories were responsible for foisting the hated Council Tax on the British people.
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4.03.03

Lib Dems pre-empt threat to cap councils with Commons amendment to abolish capping powers and £100 council tax cut budget proposal.
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31.01.03

If you’re not sure what you mean and don’t know what you want to do, stick “new” in front. That seems to be New Labour’s approach to local government and “new localism”.
Article in Local Government Chronicle >>>

30.01.03

Specially trained dogs which help disabled people with basic home tasks should be part of local council's homecare schemes.
BBC Online report>>>

11.12.02

During Labour's time in office the number of families in Bed and Breakfast accommodation has more than doubled to over 13,000.
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4.12.02

When Ministers claim they're increasing council spending tomorrow, it is council taxpayers who should be most worried. Much of the extra spending may need council tax rises of up to 10% or more.
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1.12.02

There's a difference between intransigence and leadership. Neither the Government, the employers or the FBU should allow this dispute to rumble on for months.
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26.11.02

The Government may say this Bill will give freedom to local councils and pave the way for a "new localism", but really it is about more centralised control.
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26.11.02

Government proposals for regional democracy are weak, half measures. Whitehall must be cut down to size with more of its powers devolved to the regions. Otherwise the assemblies run the risk of being mere talking shops.
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