Thank you!

The results of the local elections are in and Onslow has elected Tony Phillips and David Goodwin as Liberal Democrat councillors for our area (along with Adrian Chandler for the Conservatives).

We all just want to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us in the local elections. Your support and trust means the world to us – and to those who didn’t vote for us this time we’re determined to try and win your trust by the time of the next election.

The next priority for all of us in the Onslow Lib Dem team is to keep on working hard for local people, particularly over the local plan, and to do our best to help local people with any issues they’re facing.

The national result was very disappointing for the Liberal Democrats but here in Guildford we managed to retain 9 seats on Guildford Borough Council meaning we stay as the official opposition. And we’re determined to hold the Conservative administration to account on behalf of the people of Guildford over the next four years and to fight for the policies of our local manifesto which you voted for.

Finally, with the new Conservative government already announcing attacks on support for the disabled, human rights and massive new assaults on civil liberties it’s more important than ever that there is a strong liberal voice in Britain to fight for what’s right.

That’s why it’s been absolutely incredible to see that over 11,000 new members have joined the Liberal Democrats nationally since the election with our membership in Guildford increasing by 20%. So if you believe in our values and that Britain needs a strong liberal voice now more than ever the why not join us?

£300 million extra to help local businesses

It’s been announced that the Regional Growth Fund, launched in 2010 by Nick Clegg, will be getting an extra £300 million to invest in local businesses.

So far almost £3 billion has been invested in regional companies through the fund, helping them to expand and take on more staff. Local businesses from any sector are able to apply for funding, with over £1.1 billion invested in manufacturing already.

The range of companies taking advantage of the RGF is simply astounding with everything from universities and aerospace companies to green energy producers. The variety of industries taking part in the scheme is testament to the Liberal Democrats desire to see balanced growth across the whole of the UK and not just in London.

In terms of funding the scheme, public money is being bolstered by private investment. For every £1 invested through the RGF, the private sector has put in £5.50 and the total investment of private sector support is expected to reach £16 billion.

The Regional Growth Fund has so far created over 100,000 jobs and a further 480,000 are expected by the mid-2020s.

Shared parental leave introduced

From this April, new rules brought in by Liberal Democrats mean that working parents will now be able to split up to 50 weeks of maternity and paternity leave between them however they like. This includes up to 37 weeks of paid leave and is on top of two weeks guaranteed paid leave for the mother.

Lib Dems believe that its important for parents to have the choice and flexibility to decide for themselves how they share caring for a newborn child and leave from work which is why we’ve ended the system where parents were much more restricted in what they could do. Fathers in particular were only allowed two weeks of paternity leave and could only take additional paternity leave if their partner returned to work.

Click here to calculate your parental leave allowance under the new rules.

Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem Minister for Business, Women and Equalities, who pushed for the changes writes:

“A couple might opt for father to take the entire 50 weeks of shared parental leave or to take an extra three or four weeks at home just after baby is born. A mother might take the first four months, with father taking over when she goes back to work, or a couple could opt to stay at home together for up to six months. Each family can now work out what will work best for them.

Shared parental leave will help to create a family-friendly culture in the workplace where it is just as normal for fathers and partners to take on childcare responsibilities as mothers. Mothers and adopters will have real choice about when they return to work, fathers will have more time to bond with their children, children will have better outcomes.”

8.3 million families benefit twice from Lib Dem tax cut, new analysis reveals

8.3m families will benefit twice from the Liberal Democrat tax cut, new analysis has revealed.

Thanks to Liberal Democrats increasing the personal tax allowance to £10,600, these families will on average be £1,330 better off each year.

New research using HM Treasury’s tax and benefit model shows that our flagship policy of increasing the amount that people can earn before they pay income tax is vital in creating a fairer society.

Income tax cuts for working people were a top priority for Liberal Democrats when we entered the coalition in 2010 and one which we are proud to have delivered for millions of people.

In government Liberal Democrats have fought tooth and nail to deliver a tax cut worth £825 for more than 26m working people – something which the Conservatives said was not affordable.

And by raising the personal tax allowance to £10,600 we have lifted more than 3m people out of paying tax altogether.

As well as helping families make their money go further we’re also lifting the lowest paid out of paying tax.

By April:

340,000 sales and retail assistants will no longer pay tax.

169,000 care workers and home carers will no longer pay tax.

162,000 cleaners will no longer pay tax.

136,000 catering assistants will no longer pay tax.

91,000 teaching assistants will no longer pay tax.