Commenting on the decision to increase council tax by 7.4% to pay for the Policing in Kent, Graham Colley, PCC candidate for the Liberal Democrats said:
"I could achieve cheap political points by immediately criticising my opponent at the next election for the increase. No one wants to pay more than they did! However, at the same time, for the people of Kent to have a caring and safe community and the maxim "you get what you pay for", must also be considered.
The government's Test and Trace Payment scheme has been extended until 31 March 2021. This means that if you live in the district of Folkestone & Hythe and you have received a notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate you may be entitled to a payment of £500.
Carers UK today delivered a letter from near 5,000 carers calling on the Chancellor to acknowledge unpaid carers' contribution throughout the crisis. Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP said:
"People looking after loved ones during Covid are doing a remarkable job, in very difficult circumstances. They deserve much more support.
Only 1 in 4 children who needed mental health support accessed services last year, shocking figures from the Children's Commissioner's report have revealed.
Munira Wilson MP, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said:
"The report's findings confirm the sad reality we have known all along: the mental health of children and young people has for too long been overlooked by this Conservative Government. Week after week, I am contacted by parents whose children are struggling with their mental health and unable to access services.
Folkestone and Hythe Liberal Democrats and the Shepway Green Party have agreed not to stand against each other in the six Folkestone and Hythe seats being fought in May's Kent County Council elections.
Shepway Green Party will not stand against Lib Dem candidate Tim Prater in Cheriton, Sandgate & Hythe East, where he came second in 2017 and was the clear challenger to the Conservatives.
Kent County Council supports introduction of alternative service taking 80 minutes to reach London Blackfriars.
Rob Bird, County Councillor representing Maidstone Central, fears that the climb down could mean that Maidstone rail travellers may never get fast services to City of London.
Ever since the direct rail services from Maidstone East to London Cannon Street were discontinued in 2009, there has been a concerted all-party campaign to secure fast and frequent trains from the County Town to the City of London.
The £16.5 million Youth Covid-19 Support Fund is open to grassroots youth clubs, uniformed youth groups, and national youth and umbrella organisations, to help to mitigate the impact of lost income during the winter period due to the coronavirus pandemic, and ensure services providing vital support can remain open.
By Bill Millar, Director of Primary Care NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
Email received from NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group this evening:
"NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is responsible for making sure patients have access to GP practice services, is engaging with patients of Orchard House Surgery in Lydd about the future of services at that site.
