According to official ONS figures, St Albans saw 515 businesses close their doors in the first half of 2026 – a net loss of 80 businesses as closures overtook new openings.

Households are also facing a cliff edge of support next year. Without action, they will see an energy price cap rise in January, a rail fare hikes of 4.2% in March, and in April, a twin blow of VAT returning on electricity and council tax rises.

Daisy and her Liberal Democrat colleagues are clear that the Labour government must act to address these pressures, through a package to cut energy bills, transport prices and costs for high street hospitality businesses over the next year and a half. 

This includes:

1. An Essential Energy Guarantee, which would cut the average household’s energy bill by £100 a year, through a discounted energy allowance for every household and greater support for those who are vulnerable high-energy users. 
2. An emergency transport package to slash petrol prices and public transport costs by cutting fuel duty by 10p, VAT on public charging for EVs, slashing bus fares to £1 and rail fares by 10%.
3. Measures to relieve cost pressures for struggling high street businesses, through a temporary 5p VAT cut for hospitality, attractions and accommodation, which would also reduce the cost of going out.

This would all be funded by a windfall tax on the unearned profits of big banks, a clawback of unnecessary support to the energy network monopolies, and extra Treasury receipts from Trumpflation.

Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans and Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, said:

“I know that St Albans families and businesses are still feeling the squeeze which is why I’ve demanded that the government deliver on their promise to give people breathing space. 

“People are working hard, paying tax, and should get a decent life in return. But instead they’re seeing their bills go up and up, and the little extras that make life worth living – such as a meal out with the family or a pint with a friend – becoming more and more unaffordable.

“That’s why we Liberal Democrats are calling for a Budget that gives people the breathing space they need. Our emergency package would slash energy bills, transport costs, and give high streets a fighting chance, leaving people with a little bit more money left over at the end of each month.

“I know how desperately this is needed – in St Albans and across the country: next week is the Chancellor’s opportunity to deliver it.”

Alongside these calls, Daisy recently laid out the party’s long-term plan to Get Britain Growing Again, to kickstart the economy and support businesses, innovation and jobs in St Albans and across the country.

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Under Liberal Democrat rules, sitting MPs are required to seek reselection from local party members if they wish to stand again. 

At a recent meeting of local members, Daisy Cooper was unanimously endorsed as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the St Albans constituency at the next General Election.

Her reselection comes against a backdrop of increasing political speculation, with rumours of a snap General Election intensifying in recent weeks. 

Speaking following her reselection, Daisy Cooper MP said:

“It’s a huge privilege to represent St Albans as our MP and I’m absolutely delighted to have been re-selected to be the Liberal Democrat candidate for the St Albans constituency at the next General Election – whenever it comes.

“Since first being elected in 2019, I have responded to more than 58,000 requests for help from local residents, have put local issues on the national stage and continue to stand up for our shared values. 

“I live in St Albans, work here, shop here and commute from here – sharing many of the same experiences, celebrations and frustrations as my friends and neighbours, and local community. 

“I promised to bring the issues impacting you to Parliament: tackling the cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business crisis, fighting for health and care services, and protecting our local environment. These remain my priorities. 

“I am also really proud that a number of my campaigns have already delivered results in the first two years of this Parliament. 

“Some of our city centre GP practices were at risk of being pushed out to ring-road locations because of outdated Treasury rules, but after years of campaigning, these rules have been updated to recognise the value of having health on the high street. 

“Summer born children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will no longer be forced to miss a year of education when moving schools, after the government heard my calls to issue guidance on this.

“After years of my calls for business rates reform which hammers high streets, the government is finally consulting on some changes to this broken system.

“For years, St Albans district taxpayers had been left to subsidise big developers to the tune of £3.2 million each year because of an absurd cap on how much local authorities can charge developers – the cap is now due to be scrapped entirely, hopefully this year. 

“After years of my campaigning, the government has now consulted on changing a rule which times-out complaints of sexual assault being lodged against medical professionals in the NHS, and I’m hopeful this will change soon too. 

“In St Albans itself, I’ve successfully campaigned for CCTV systems to be integrated at St Albans City Station to better tackle bike thefts.

“And, our precious chalk streams could soon be better protected, as Ministers actively look at my idea to force water companies to prioritise pipe repairs in chalk stream areas.”

“As the Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, I’ve used the real-life experiences of households and businesses here in St Albans to design and shape our national policies – putting local issues on the national stage. This includes proposals to cut the cost of essential energy permanently through an Essential Energy Guarantee, supporting our high streets with an emergency VAT cut, and growing the economy through a new Growth and Defence Partnership with Europe.

“At the next General Election, St Albans will face a stark choice between a candidate who props up the dangerous and divisive politics of a Conservative-Reform UK coalition, or a hard-working Liberal Democrat MP.

“People should be under no illusions about Nigel Farage’s ambition to reshape the country in the interests of his crypto billionaire friends rather than the people of St Albans, or that given the chance, the Conservatives will hand Farage the keys to Number 10. 

“Whilst Reform UK’s campaign will be fuelled by their £72 million donations from crypto billionaires, I’m determined to fight another people-powered campaign here in St Albans – pounding the streets with committed volunteers, talking to residents and getting on with the job.” 

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Within her statement, the Secretary of State confirmed that this decision is “in light of legal advice” received, and that May 2027 local elections will take place on existing council boundaries (of St Albans District Council) rather than new unitary council boundaries, as anticipated up to this point.

Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, said:

“Local government reorganisation has been a shambles from start to finish.

“Taxpayer money has been wasted preparing for a change that won’t now go ahead as planned, and the time and energy of councillors and officers have been needlessly distracted by a top-down re-organisation away from the delivery of local services, like SEND and social care.

“But even if reorganisation has been paused, devolution must not be. Whether or not the government creates the role of a Hertfordshire Mayor, Hertfordshire must not miss out on being given the same powers as other parts of the country – our county council must be given these powers now.”

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This comes after new figures from the Home Office, analysed by the Liberal Democrats, revealed that out of the whopping 2042 vehicle thefts that took place in Hertfordshire in 2025, just 1.91% cases resulted in the suspect being charged. In 77% cases the police failed to even identify a suspect.

The Liberal Democrats have blasted the Government for failing to get a grip on the issue, and have said only by properly restoring community policing in Hertfordshire will officers have the time and resources to respond to reports of theft. More visible police would also deter would-be thieves from brazenly taking people’s vehicles in plain sight.

Victoria, Daisy and their Liberal Democrat colleagues have also called for the formation of a specialist team based at the National Crime Agency. It would pool data from automatic number plate recognition cameras, insurance records and intelligence from police forces and border control to target organised car crime networks.

Liberal Democrat MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Victoria Collins, said: 

“Across my constituency, people rely on their cars to get to work, take their kids to school and get themselves to the doctors and essential services. Local businesses have been hit, and even shut down, because of van thefts. It is an absolute scandal that 77% victims of crime are having their vehicles snatched from them, while the criminals get away scot free. 

“How on earth can we expect to deter would-be thieves from stealing people’s cars when so few offenders are actually being brought to justice? I’m hearing from more and more residents who have fallen victim to car theft, yet the Government seems to be asleep at the wheel.

“Criminals are growing bolder because they don’t fear the consequences, and it’s hardworking residents who are paying the price. We urgently need to restore community policing to tackle car theft. For too long, the police have been left overstretched and underfunded, meaning they simply do not have the resources to respond.”

Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans, said:

“These figures are a shocking testament to the scale of this crime, and the uphill battle facing our local police force in tracking down these criminals.

“Just last year I joined Hertfordshire Police on a proactive patrol in Hill End, sharing information with residents on how to guard against car thefts and burglaries. I know this is an issue that’s been firmly on their radar for a long time, despite limits on their resources.

“The government must finally take this issue seriously by restoring community policing and backing Lib Dem calls for a new specialist team to tackle the organised crime gangs behind these crimes.”

Daisy with officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary, ahead of their patrol to discuss car thefts with St Albans residents (in September 2025).

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• Improved security of the bike storage facility, including a “raptor” to stop thieves climbing over, after Daisy repeatedly pressed Thameslink to act.

• A government policy change to ensure CCTV on the rail network can be accessed by all relevant police forces to investigate bike thefts. This follows Daisy’s long-standing campaign for the government to make this change, including by proposing an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, asking parliamentary questions and writing to Ministers.

• British Transport Police scrapping their policy of only investigating thefts of bikes left out for under 2 hours or worth over £200, following national Liberal Democrat campaigning for tough action on bike thefts.

Daisy said:

“The message in St Albans is now clear: if you’re thinking of getting involved in a bike theft, get on your bike!

“The previous approach to investigating bike thefts was completely nonsensical: the secure bike storage area at St Albans City station was anything but, and disjointed CCTV networks were leaving police unable to access CCTV on the railway network to investigate incidents.

“After years of campaigning for action by Thameslink, British Transport Police, local police and Ministers, I’m so pleased that these security improvements and changes have finally been introduced. I will keep a very close eye on bike theft statistics to make sure that these changes translate into reality and that bike thieves know they can no longer get away with it.”

Daisy at the bike storage facility at St Albans City station with representatives from St Albans Police, Thameslink, and British Transport Police, in December 2024.

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Under this plan for an Essential Energy Guarantee, every household would receive a basic energy allowance – equivalent to 50% of average energy consumption – at a discounted rate. This would ensure that everyone could afford everyday essential energy needs like heating, lighting, and running medical equipment. 

This intervention would save the average household £100 a year, while the poorest 20% would save an average of £140.

Families would receive extra allowances for children, and the most vulnerable – such as people with disabilities or on the lowest incomes would receive the discounted rate on all their energy use.

According to House of Commons data, 7.2% of St Albans households are in fuel poverty, struggling to afford their most basic energy needs.

The scheme will be funded by clawing back £5 billion in unexpected windfall profits from monopoly energy network operators.

Daisy said:

“Energy is not a luxury, it’s a basic human need.

“Yet huge numbers of people, in St Albans and across the country, are struggling to pay their energy bills whilst energy companies are raking in billions in unexpected profits – all thanks to a loophole in their contracts with Ofgem.

“This must change, and we Lib Dems have put forward a plan to do this: to slash energy bills by clawing back these profits, ensure everyone can cover their basic energy needs, and give families the long-term energy security they need.

“With Trump’s idiotic war in Iran continuing to hike up fuel costs, it’s more important than ever that the government adopt our plan and give everyone the peace of mind that they can afford their essential energy.”

This is the newest part of a package of common sense policies put forward by the Liberal Democrats: ensuring all new homes are zero carbon, a new home insulation upgrade programme, breaking the link between electricity and gas prices, and removing the renewables obligation levy from bills. Overall, the party’s plans would halve energy bills for families in the next decade. 

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In response to Daisy’s most recent parliamentary question on this issue, the government confirmed that seven new driving examiners have now completed training and are conducting tests at centres serving St Albans, with a further two examiners due to begin training and eight more job offers made following recent recruitment campaigns.

The figures also reveal that, as of 11 May 2026, there are now hundreds of driving test slots available across the Borehamwood, St Albans and Watford test centres within the 24-week booking window.

The DVSA also confirmed that between June 2025 and April 2026, an additional 144 practical driving tests were carried out through overtime arrangements compared with the previous year.

Daisy said:

“For far too long, learner drivers in St Albans have faced completely unacceptable waits to book a driving test. I know from supporting constituents that it’s caused huge frustration for young people, workers and families.

“I have repeatedly raised this issue in Parliament and pressed ministers to increase examiner numbers and expand test availability, so I am pleased that we are now seeing some progress.

“The recruitment of additional driving examiners and the increase in overtime tests is welcome news and should help reduce the backlog facing local learners.

“However, there is still more work to do. Waiting times remain too long, and I will continue pushing the Government and DVSA until residents can access driving tests quickly and fairly.”

This parliamentary question continues years of Daisy holding the government to account on improving access to driving tests in St Albans. She first raised this in September 2021 and has continued to challenge the successive governments, questioning them on recruitment of new driving examiners and action to address tests being booked by automated bots and re-sold at inflated prices.

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Daisy exposed the scale of the scandal almost four years ago, when her questions to the then Conservative government in October 2022, revealed that this government-imposed cap led to council taxpayers in St Albans district subsiding developers by £3.2 million in 2020-21 alone.

Since then, Daisy has tabled questions, an amendment and legislation to end this scandal, by giving local authorities the power to set their own planning fees to ensure they cover the costs of determining planning applications.

The Conservative government failed to act, but following sustained pressure by Daisy the current Labour government confirmed in March 2025 that it would scrap the cap and is now consulting on the new fee levels.

Since then, Daisy has continued to press the government to implement the change without delay, including in a meeting with the Local Government Minister earlier this year.

In response to Daisy’s most recent questioning, the government has now confirmed that they intend to finally scrap the cap later this year. 

With a timeframe now confirmed, Daisy is on the cusp of securing a major change in the law. She said:

“I’m delighted that after years of campaigning, I’m just a whisker away from ensuring the government-imposed cap on planning fees is scrapped once and for all ending the scandal of local tax-payers subsidising big developers. 

“And what’s more, the change in the law will be a win-win: tax-payers won’t have to subsidise developers anymore, and a properly funded planning team will mean that developers should get more timely decisions. 

“It’s only right and fair that developers pay the necessary fees to cover any applications they make, rather than taxpayers being left out of pocket. 

“I’m glad that this government has seen sense – this change cannot come soon enough.”

Paul de Kort, Leader of St Albans District Council, said:

“It’s fantastic news that the government is finally working to end this nonsensical cap which results in council taxpayers like ours being forced to subsidise big developers.

“Council funding is already under enormous strain from years of government cuts, and now we have the additional costs imposed on us to carry out local government reorganisation.

“I’m relieved that the government has seen sense and committed to giving councils like ours the power to set our own planning fees, so we can ensure developers are paying their fair share.”

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The General Medical Council’s (GMC) 5-year rule, prevents the regulator from investigating complaints about a doctor’s fitness to practise if the events – including sexual misconduct – occurred more than five years ago. 

Under this rule (Rule 4(5) of the Fitness to Practise Rules 2004) allegations that relate to events more than 5 years old are not usually investigated by the GMC except in rare “exceptional circumstances in the public interest”.   This denies justice to victims of sexual assault and harassment and fails patients, as some alleged perpetrators are left unchallenged and able to continue practising in the NHS. 

Daisy has campaigned – coincidentally for five years – for the 5-year rule to be scrapped. 

In 2021, Daisy was contacted separately by two constituents with different but equally harrowing accounts of sexual misconduct by a medical professional – only to discover that the GMC would not examine the cases due to the policy. After she started her campaign, she heard stories from women from all around the country. 

Since then she has tabled parliamentary questions and legislation, led a Parliamentary debate on the issue, and raised awareness through the media, pressing the previous Conservative and now Labour governments to act. 

In 2023, it was revealed that almost one in three female surgeons working in the NHS had been sexually assaulted in the past five years, according to a survey published in the British Journal of Surgery. 

In 2024, Daisy ensured that the commitment to scrap the 5-year rule was also in the Liberal Democrats 2024 General Election manifesto. 

After re-tabling legislation this week, the government published a consultation including the proposal to scrap the time-limit. 

Daisy said:

“This could be a major breakthrough for women’s safety and I hope so much, after all my campaigning, that victims, predominantly women, don’t have to wait much longer for change.

“Both NHS staff and patients have been victims of sexual assault by a medical practitioner and shocking reports show that it can happens in all corners of hospital settings – in car parks, in medicine cupboards and shockingly, according to female surgeons, even in surgical wards when they’re operating on a patient. 

“There are very good reasons why some victims don’t make a complaint for five years – for example, patients by definition can be severely unwell, and may take years to feel strong enough to make a complaint after their treatment and recovery. 

“This arbitrary rule has robbed these women from getting justice, and left other patients and staff at risk when perpetrators can not be struck off. 

“I’m incredibly relieved that after my five-year long campaign and tabling legislation for the second time, that the government is finally paving the way to end this appalling scandal.”

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Daisy’s entry on this list recognises her strong voice on economic matters such as the cost of living and her long-standing campaigning to address the social care crisis.

In addition, Daisy was recognised for the role she has played supporting her fellow MPs following the party’s most successful General Election result ever in 2024. 

Daisy said:

“It’s a huge honour to be included in the 2026 Women in Westminster list alongside other powerful women making a difference in public life, such as veteran MP and ‘Mother of the House’ Diane Abbott, former President of the NFU Minette Batters, disability campaigner and Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson and Carole Gould, co-founder of Killed Women. 

“Representation matters, so it’s really important that the next generation of young girls – and boys – can see women of all backgrounds in every walk of life, but especially in public life, where women hold the powerful to account, or hold the highest offices of state themselves. 

“I’m really honoured to be included in this year’s list and to have my work championing our local area recognised, alongside my efforts to put a human face on every decision taken in Westminster. 

“I hope that reading about everything women are achieving in politics and public life will show women everywhere that their voice matters, and ensure young women know that – if they choose – a women’s place is most certainly in the House of Commons.”

Also on the list are fellow MPs like Wendy Chamberlain and Florence Eshalomi, members of the House of Lords like Tanni Grey-Thompson, government Ministers including the Chancellor and Home Secretary, leading political journalists like Laura Kuenssberg, senior civil servants, campaigners, and more.

The list aims to showcase the immense inputs so many women are making to public life every single day, and continue championing women’s representation.

The entry for Daisy reads:

On International Women’s Day last year, Daisy Cooper MP delivered a keynote speech urging more women to stand for public office. Her message was straightforward. “It is awesome being a woman in politics.” 

Cooper is well-placed to make that judgment. Throughout 2025, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats has continued to build her profile with the public and strengthen her position as one of her party’s most senior and credible Westminster performers. She has combined her important party role with a Treasury spokesperson brief that has made her a central figure in a year dominated by debates around the economy, public services, and living standards.

Her authority in that role is underpinned by an unusually broad policy background. Before taking on the treasury portfolio, Cooper held briefs spanning education, justice, culture, and health and social care. That has given her a detailed understanding of how economic decisions play out at the sharp end of public service delivery. She has been a consistent and vocal advocate for reform in adult social care, including proposals for free personal care and better pay and status for care workers.

“Daisy Cooper has been direct and authentic in communications, principles, and conviction, not just standing for Liberal Democrat values, but as an influential humanitarian,” one nominator wrote. “In these uncertain times, her Liberal Democratic voice is much needed and highly valued.” 

Alongside her external profile, nominators highlight the important internal role that Cooper has played in supporting new MPs, sharing practical lessons on scrutiny, campaigning, and parliamentary effectiveness. As a former local counselor, her approach to leadership remains rooted in localism and community engagement, shaping how she connects national policy to everyday experience.

“A born communicator,” another nominator said of Cooper, “Daisy is energetic, sassy, and approachable – a person who has not forgotten where she has come from.”

Daisy and her Liberal Democrat colleague Wendy Chamberlain MP who also featured on the list, attending the launch event in Parliament.

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