More rough sleepers have appeared in town since the Rugby Winter Shelter closed at the end of March - and some are more prominent than ever, having taken shelter in the doorways of vacant town centre shops.

The chair of Hope4, which runs the shelter, says supporting the charity is the best way to help them. The shelter faced huge demand last winter, providing beds and meals for 59 people across seven church venues.

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable is calling on the Conservatives to bring forward side-lined plans to introduce tax breaks for employers who hire from disadvantaged groups.

In their general election manifesto, the Conservatives promised to introduce a 12-month exemption in employer's National Insurance Contributions when businesses took on people from groups that have found it difficult to find employment. These groups included the long-term unemployed, people with mental health problems, and those with a disability.

Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd has written to the Government demanding action to make it easier for domestic abuse victims to have money paid into a separate bank account.

Lloyd's proposal comes after it was revealed the Universal Credit lump sum payment is paid into one designated bank account for the whole household, often the male partner in the relationship. This had led, in some cases, to domestic abuse victims being deprived of money, and less able to escape their dangerous home situation.

The Eastbourne MP has demanded that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey MP, make the plight of domestic abuse victims a "top priority".

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Work and Pensions, Stephen Lloyd said:

"Among the litany of failures that is Universal Credit, this is one of the most disturbing and damaging.

"I believe it should be at the very top of Esther McVey's priorities. Without fast remedial work on the very processes of Universal Credit, some people's lives may well be put in danger.

"I will be demanding the minister acts quickly before it is too late."

Please see the text of Stephen Lloyd's letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon Esther Mcvey MP, below.

Dear Esther

Re: Universal Credit Split Payments

I am writing to you on the aforementioned topic of split payments of Universal Credit. Under its current implementation, the single monthly household payment of UC makes it easier for domestic abusers to seize and regulate family income and prevent partners from leaving the home.

At present the only way to arrange a split payment of a couple's Universal Credit is on request. For a victim of domestic abuse, having to make this request will often put them at more danger of abuse from their partner. A recent survey of domestic abuse victims by the charity Women's Aid found almost 85 per cent of respondents feared the abuse would get worse if their partner found out they had asked for their benefit payment to be divided.

I urge you, for the sake of the victims of domestic abuse, take action immediately. Either to make it easier to request split payments or make split payments the default payment method for couples, including dividing payments so that the child credit element is made payable to the main carer, usually the mother, which was the case with child tax credits.

All the best,

Stephen Lloyd MP
Eastbourne and Willingdon
Lib Dem Front Bench Spokesman
Department for Work and Pensions

Local Liberal Democrat, Lee Chase, in Admirals and Cawston is campaigning for a Country Park around the ancient woodland at Cawston Spinney because green spaces add value to our lives and save money for the tax payer.

Studies over many years have put the great value on the benefits to the UK of its green spaces, the most recent by 'Fields in Trust' on 7 May 2018 puts it at £34 billion a year. Saving the NHS at least £111 million per year just from GP visits not needed. The study estimates that to achieve the same benefits each person would need to spend £974.

Responding to the publication of a House of Commons Committee report on 9 May 2018 which highlights an underfunded adult social care sector Liberal Democrats have called for a long-term plan to fund the increasing demand for care.

The care sector is in a precarious state, but the Department of Health and Social Care has not yet said how it intends to put in place a long-term, sustainable funding regime to meet the ever-increasing demand for care.

Councillor Tim Douglas has become Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group on Rugby Borough Council.

Councillor Douglas represents Paddox Ward and was elected in 2016.

The Liberal Democrat Group now has nine Councillors after successfully holding Paddox and Rokeby & Overslade Wards and gaining a seat off the Conservatives in Eastlands at the local elections on 3 May 2018.

Rugby Liberal Democrats had a successful local election campaign holding Council seats in Paddox and Rokey & Overslade Wards and gaining a seat in Eastlands.

In Paddox Ward Noreen New was re-elected on a good turnout of 41%. In Rokeby & Overslade Ward Bill Lewis was re-elected with an increased majority on a turnout off 40%. Bill will now become the Deputy Mayor and then Mayor of the Borough in 2019 until 2020. In Eastlands Ward Craig McQueen was elected with a majority off 332 with a turnout of 33% taking Eastlands back from the Conservatives.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse has written to the local papers about the need to make better use of the original St Cross Hospital building with its potential to help ease pressures on social care and facilitate the recovery of older residents before they return home after treatment.

Dear Editor,

I have attended meetings at St Cross Hospital in what is called the Octapus Training Centre. This means entering via the original St Cross entrance and you can also see the original St Cross building that is now falling into decay. It saddens me that we not only have such a historical building with a fantastic heritage that is now decaying but also a building that should and could be used. I understand the reasons as to why this was done but University Hospital of Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW) and others who are involved in health and social care have some serious questions that now need answers.

Biart Place was constructed over 50 years ago to replace railway workers cottages and to meet the need for social housing. It was in its day a regeneration project.

It has served the housing needs for many people and some residents have lived there for many years. In response to Rugby Borough Council's report to Council (Tuesday 24 April 2018) Eastland Ward Councillors Neill Sandison and Sue Roodhouse have commented.

Voting Liberal Democrats in this year's local elections on Thursday 3 May is a vote for someone who is ACE - Active, Caring and Effective.

Liberal Democrat Councillors listen to residents and get things done for their communities.

In the past 12 months we have: worked with the Police to improve parking around schools; worked with residents to support the preservation of a nature reserve and the Great Central Way; successfully campaigned to get funding for new bus shelters and traffic calming measures; hosted community compost and recycling events; done litter picks; supported the development of a local job club.