Woking
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Surrey's continued use of High Cost interim staff

Lib Dems deplore Surrey's continued use of high cost interim staff Surrey County Council is advertising yet again for temporary staff with salaries in excess of £90,000. The latest job is for a Programme Manager to oversee the move from County Hall. Will Forster, Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, said: "My Lib Dem colleagues and I think the use of temporary staff runs the risk that if they fail to deliver long term solutions to the problems set, they are long gone before the problems come to light - but are enriched by their generous salary." "We believe that the County Council should be using the resources of the Borough and District authorities to support major projects and ensure that the salary bill for local government in Surrey is capped while cuts are having to be made. Residents cannot accept that large salaries are added to the payroll while their services are being lost and degraded."

WF
6 Mar 2019
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EU Citizens in Woking face 60 mile round trip for Settled Status

EU Citizens in Woking face 60 mile round trip to register for Settled Status The Lib Dems and I have slammed the Conservative Government for their "hapless treatment" of European Union (EU) citizens after the Home Office released guidance on the new EU Settlement Scheme. The Home Office has confirmed that for the duration of the trial period, EU nationals applying to stay in the UK must either use an Android phone or travel to one of 13 'document scanning' centres instead. For Woking and all of Surrey, the closest 'document scanning' centre is in Peckham, south London. According to analysis by the Lib Dems, EU citizens travelling from Woking, would face costs of almost £20 on the train for a 1 hour and 40 minute round trip. The drive would be a 60 mile round trip costing around £15 in fuel. Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, Will Forster, said: "Too many people in Woking are deeply anxious about their right to stay. Many of them fill vital roles in the health service, our schools and the tourism

WF
6 Mar 2019
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Lib Dems get Surrey County Council to help Europeans stay post Brexit

Lib Dems get Surrey County Council to help Europeans stay post Brexit Surrey County Council has agreed to the Lib Dem request to help its European Union (EU) staff and children in care apply for 'settled status' post-Brexit. Earlier this year, the Government announced that EU nationals would have to apply and pay for settled status post-Brexit, though they have recently waived the application fees. This 'pay to stay' process has been widely criticised as being too complicated and making Europeans feel unwelcome in the UK. Lib Dem County Councillor Will Forster recently addressed the Council's Cabinet to get them to commit to helping EU citizens that work for or are in the care of the local authority with their applications for settled status. Will Forster said, "I am delighted that Surrey County Council has agreed to my request to support EU nationals from some of the damaging effects of Brexit and will help its EU staff and children in care apply for settled status if Brexit takes place." "10% of

WFRH
4 Feb 2019
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National Party News

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Local Government

Local Government Finance Emergency

After years of neglect, our local councils are in financial survival mode. The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to move past emergency bailouts and deliver a sustainable future for local government.

ZF
15 Mar 2026
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Donald Trump - (Gage Skidmore - CC BY-SA 2.0)
International Affairs

Trump and the Wider World

The international stage has been shaken by a series of reckless and illegal actions from Donald Trump’s White House. Liberal Democrat members have passed a new motion to bolster our national defence and strengthen our alliances with reliable partners.

CM
15 Mar 2026
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Child looks at a phone. Next to the child are age-rating symbols: U, 13+, 16, 18
Children & Families

A digital world fit for the next generation

For too long, tech giants have treated children as data to be mined, using addictive algorithms and harmful content to keep them scrolling. While some are calling for blanket bans, we know these are impractical and risk isolating vulnerable groups.

VC
15 Mar 2026
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