The Lib Dems have slammed the Spring Statement as a "massive missed opportunity" to help families in Woking and across the country.

The party has called for the standard rate of VAT to be reduced from 20% to 17.5% for one year. It comes after the Chancellor's lacklustre Spring Statement failed to adequately protect local families from soaring bills and the Conservatives' worsening cost of living crisis.

Yesterday, Surrey County Council unanimously agreed a motion from the Lib Dems which criticised the Government's 'Living with Covid' plan which will end universal free covid testing.

The Council agreed to call on the Government to continue with free PCR and lateral flow tests for those residents in critical groups, such as front-line workers and those who are eligible for free prescriptions.

There are plans to build almost 100 properties on former Green Belt land off Egley Road in Mayford.

The land to west of Egley Road between Mayford and Woking was recently released from Green Belt by both the Government's Planning Inspector and Woking Borough Council. As a result, Cala Homes and Barchester Healthcare are jointly proposing a development of 94 new units, made up of a mixture of a care home and houses, along with a new road access from Egley Road.

Across Woking, all our candidates share Our Vision for Woking, which builds on Liberal Democrat successes as a group at Council. Liberal Democrats commit to Financial Responsibility and Openness, to provide affordable homes, develop a local vision for our area, build a vibrant local economy giving residents a green and safe borough where there is leisure and well being for all.

New "name and shame" law would have led to annual figures on animals killed by sewage dumps
- The Lib Dem proposal to take new action against water companies blocked by Conservative MPs
- Otters across England and Wales found to have been poisoned in rivers

Last night, the local MP for Woking voted against a new law which would have forced water companies to report on the number of animals killed by sewage dumps.
283 Tory MPs voted against the plans including Woking's MP, Jonathan Lord, versus 179 opposition MPs including the Lib Dems who voted in favour.

The Woking Lib Dems have demanded an emergency cut to VAT to protect local families from soaring bills and the Conservatives' worsening cost of living crisis.

The Lib Dems are calling for the standard rate of VAT to be reduced from 20% to 17.5% for one year, a move that would save households in Woking an average of around £600 each. This would mean putting around £22,560,000 back in the pockets of 37,600 families in Woking.

Ofsted have published their latest inspection report into Surrey County Council's children's services and rated the Council's service as one that 'requires improvement to be good'

The report notes that "Services are no longer inadequate, but despite accelerated improvements since 2018, overall progress has been slow since services were first judged inadequate in 2015."

• Lib Dems call for fare freeze as cost of living crisis worsens
• Annual season ticket for Woking commuters reaches £3,662
• Season ticket will be over £4,000 by 2026
• London travelcards for tube and bus services set to be scrapped for Woking passengers

The cost of an annual season ticket for Woking commuters will rise by the most in a decade on 1st March despite the cost of living crisis worsening.

Yesterday, Surrey County Council's Cabinet agreed to close eight residential care homes.

Lib Dem Councillors have criticised the move which leaves the future of around 150 vulnerable residents in the balance with the risk they may end up being placed in accommodation further away from their family and paying more for the services they receive.

Thames Water made over £485 million last year.

Lib Dems demand 'Sewage Tax' to clean up rivers including the River Wey.

New analysis by the Lib Dems has revealed Britain's nine water companies made a total £2.8 billion in combined operating profits last year.

Thames Water, which dumps sewage in the River Wey, made an operating profit of £488.8 million last year. As a result of sewage dumping the River Wey is one of the worst 23% of rivers in terms of ecological and overall river health according to the Rivers Trust.