South Northamptonshire Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has called on the government to delay changes to its Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) scheme.

This week's Spring Statement revealed that just 10,000 people have opted into a change to stop their receipt of mortgage benefit ending next month according to the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

This is only 10% of the anticipated figure.

Commenting on figures released today which show the first two year increase in infant mortality rates in England and Wales for the last 30 years, former Health Minister, Norman Lamb said:

"Infant mortality has been in steep decline for over 30 years. However, this success cannot lead to complacency.

"Figures released today show there is a trend towards increased infant mortality rates over the last two years. Losing a child is one of the most heart-breaking experiences imaginable. The government must urgently examine the cause and what might be driving this disturbing reversal of historic falls in infant mortality. The fact that the NHS is under such strain may well be contributing to this.

In response to the PM's urgent statement on reports of Russian involvement in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in the House of Commons today.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable, said:

"I, and my party, fully support the PM's statement.

"Can I ask, what is her response to the brave leader of the opposition in Russia, Alexei Navalny, who is not allowed to stand in the presidential election, who has said that the most effective action the British government can take is to use its legal powers, such as the unexplained wealth orders, against named individuals, who are critical to the Putin operation?

Responding to the Spring Statement, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said,

"The Spring Statement was a non-event. The OECD gave us the clearer picture - that the economy is bumping along the bottom of the G20, well behind the likes of Australia, Canada and the Euro area.

"The OBR's fresh forecasts are still a long way behind the figures estimated in March 2016 before the EU referendum.

As the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill returns to the House of Commons today, the Liberal Democrats have secured a significant victory following the government's acceptance of crucial amendments tabled by Liberal Democrats peers in the House of Lords.

Led by Lord Sharkey, the Liberal Democrats campaigned in the House of Lords to end the scourge of cold-calling in relation to pensions, claims management and other financial services.