Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.
In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.
By Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister in New Year's Message
The last twelve months have been lit up by moments that will stay with us forever. When Mo Farah approached the final stretch of the 10,000m final, who wasn't up on their feet, screaming at the TV?
When Nicola Adams beamed at the crowd after winning the first ever women's Olympic boxing, who didn't smile back? I was lucky enough to be there, and that's one I'll never forget.
Recently uncovered figures show Manchester Council spent a staggering £18.9m on Consultants' fees in the last three years.
Marc Ramsbottom who is standing to be the first Lib Dem MP for Manchester Central in next month's By-Election slammed the Council: "It is an insult to residents that our arrogant Labour Council is cutting frontline services whilst handing over vast sums to Consultants.
It is simply wrong for the Council to be cutting lollipop wardens and putting Surestart centres at risk so they can line the pockets of well off consultants."
The figures requested by Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain in June have only just been released: "Last year the Council said it had to lay off 2000 employees; how many jobs and services could have been saved if this money was used?
The Council is obviously embarrassed by these shocking figures because it has taken them nearly four months to release this information; despite having a legal obligation to release the information after 28 working days. This is not the transparency Manchester residents expect."
The figures also show that over the last three years the Council has spent £106k on Foreign Travel for Councillors and officials; including to exotic destinations such as Barbados, LA, New York, Nice and Venice.
Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary campaigner for Manchester Central was out in Manchester city centre on Sunday protesting against Starbucks refusal to pay its fair share of Corporation Tax. It was recently revealed that in the past three years Starbucks had failed to pay any corporation tax on its earnings despite sales of over £350m in the UK.
Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader, has today announced that Greater Manchester is to receive a £35million cash injection to boost Greater Manchester's economy and to create jobs.
The investment from the Government's Regional Growth Fund will be given to Greater Manchester's Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to support large projects in the private sector which have the potential to create new jobs.
Marc has today launched a Residents' Survey to hear what local people in Manchester Central constituency think about the issues that affect them.
The survey focuses on a wide range of areas including Local Housing, Welfare Benefits, Town Hall Waste, Parks, Roads, Transport and Europe.
If you live in Manchester Central you can tell Marc what you think about these issues and others by completing and returning the freepost survey which will come through your letterbox or by completing this online survey: www.tinyurl.com/mcr2012
"It is absolutely appalling that Manchester's Labour Town Hall bosses have committed a monumental, 'empire state' scale of spending on one concert whilst putting the future of Sure Start Centres in doubt and whilst saying Lollipop Wardens must be laid off.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has used his keynote speech to the Lib Dem Party conference in Brighton to announce extra money for 110,000 children struggling with maths and English.
The Deputy Prime Minister said secondary schools in England will receive an extra £55 million to help pupils arriving in year seven who have slipped behind in English and maths at primary school. The money will come in from next January, with schools deciding how to spend it to help pupils with weaker results in maths and English.
It was recently announced that Greater Manchester Police Authority have decided to cancel their swanky dinner to celebrate their abolition at the 5 star Lowry Hotel. This is of course to be welcomed, but Greater Manchester's hard-pressed tax payers may be less pleased to learn that they may still have to stump up for it.
In July Transport minister Norman Baker was at Manchester Piccadilly following the announcement of £322 million extra funding towards the Northern Hub rail project for Manchester which could create 30,000 jobs and a £4.2bn boost for the regional economy. Also announced was £1 million given to Manchester Victoria under the Coalition government's 'Access for All' scheme which aims to improve access to public transport. The money will go towards a new lift to the footbridge, ensuring level access across the station, new handrails and landings on the existing footbridge.
