09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Publishing Russia report top of the list for intelligence committee

Parliamentary news
Responding to confirmation that the House of Commons will be asked to approve membership of the intelligence and security committee on Monday, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said: “With the threat of coronavirus, people are rightly worried and need a Government they can trust. Boris Johnson has failed to do that with his conspicuous delay to reconvening the intelligence committee. “After months of pressure from Liberal Democrats and others, I am glad the committee is due to be restored. However, it should never have needed this fight. The Prime Minister has a lot to do to claw back public confidence. “At the top of the list for the intelligence committee must be forcing the Government to publish the report into Russian interference of our democracy, and before the summer recess…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Consequences of Chancellor ignoring our high streets already clear

Parliamentary news
Responding to the reports that two of the UK's largest high street retailers, John Lewis and Boots, have announced a combined cut of 5,300 jobs, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney said: “The scale of today’s layoffs show the true extent of the crisis facing British high streets. The Conservative Government had the chance to provide real relief for our high streets in yesterday’s summer statement, but instead the Chancellor did nothing for the vast majority of businesses outside of hospitality. "We cannot allow the Government to forget that behind each job loss statistic lies a household struggling to make ends meet. These job losses will devastate our communities and leave families wondering how they are going to get by in the months to come. "The coronavirus crisis has left…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt must foot the bill to keep TV licences free for over 75s

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the BBC will ask over 75s to start paying for TV licenses from 1 August, Liberal Democrat Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Many people over the age of 75 are worried about stepping foot outside their homes due to the risk of COVID-19. For those who are isolated, television is a lifeline - especially right now. It is a travesty that many may now lose access to this vital service. "The Government has forced the BBC into a corner where it has to choose between further cuts to its programming or raising these fees. The Government must foot the bill so that millions of elderly people are not left without television during this ongoing crisis and commit to a new independent body…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ministers must act to ensure public can have confidence in NHS Test and Trace

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that NHS Test and Trace has only reached some 70% of 'close contacts' of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "Yesterday the Chancellor offered us discounts to eat out, but many people will be too worried to do so. That’s because the NHS Test and Trace is still failing to reach large numbers of people, despite costing taxpayers some £10 billion in private contracts. "We need to test, trace and isolate every case of COVID-19 to keep people safe. The public need to have confidence that NHS Test & Trace is fully functional. With the figures failing to improve week to week, it's clear there is still a lot of work to do. "The Government…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Two candidates confirmed for Lib Dem leadership race

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat MPs Ed Davey and Layla Moran will be the two candidates contesting the latest Liberal Democrat leadership contest, the Party has confirmed. At the close of nominations today, both Ed Davey and Layla Moran secured the support required to appear on the ballot. Voting will open on the 30th July and close on the 26th August, after which the Party will announce the next leader. Liberal Democrat Party President Mark Pack said: “With two fantastic candidates, I am really excited for the contest for who will lead the Liberal Democrats and champion our vision for an outward-looking, caring country that celebrates diversity and benefits from the highest-quality public services. “With Liberal Democrat membership at record levels, I urge everyone who shares our values to join us in the…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

As the country opens up Test and Trace is more important than ever

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Press Conference by the Culture Secretary, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Many business owners will be breathing a sigh of relief that they can re-open and get some sense of normality. As the country opens up it is more important than ever that we have a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system. “NHS Test and Trace is still failing to reach large numbers of people, despite costing taxpayers some £10 billion in private contracts. "The Government must act now to ensure that this system works,  failing will put public health at risk and jeopardise our chances of a rapid economic recovery."
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Settled Status figures show need for automatic right to stay

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to grant EU citizens the automatic right to stay in the UK, with the physical proof they need, as new Home Office figures reveal thousands are being refused and millions await a final decision. The latest EU Settlement Scheme statistics, published this morning, reveal 2,300 people have been refused Settled Status, 1.4 million have only been granted temporary ‘Pre-Settled Status’ and 250,000 are still waiting for a decision. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “EU citizens in the UK have been living under a cloud of uncertainty for far too long. They are our families and friends, our colleagues and carers. They must have the right to stay. “Boris Johnson and the Conservatives promised to automatically guarantee the rights of EU citizens to…
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08Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Yet more lies from PM as he tries to dodge blame for care homes crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to Boris Johnson's comments during Prime Minister's Questions that "no one knew early on in the pandemic that the virus was being passed on asymptomatically", Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Yet again, we are seeing more lies from the Prime Minister. He and his Ministers knew about the asymptomatic transmission of this virus, but they still allowed those who hadn’t been tested to enter our care homes. "It was not the case that we didn’t know coronavirus could be asymptomatic, and it is not fair to say that care homes were not following procedures. The truth is there was no protective ring around care homes. "Our social care system was left tragically exposed under Boris Johnson's watch. It is time he stopped trying to dodge the blame. "The…
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08Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: We must match the scale of the crisis with the courage to invest

Parliamentary news
Speaking after the Chancellor's Summer Statement, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Coronavirus has left countless families facing serious financial hardship. More than a million people have lost their jobs and many more are worried about losing theirs in the weeks and months ahead. “While I welcome short term measures to help people now, the Chancellor has no serious long term economic strategy for dealing with unemployment, climate change and inequality. “Totally absent today was any measure to help the millions excluded from Covid support - like new starters, newly self-employed people and freelancers. They haven’t been helped at all so far and yet represent some of the most vulnerable groups. They must not be left behind. “Fundamentally, we need a radically new approach to building a…
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07Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Landmark domestic abuse legislation passes House of Commons

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have hailed the passing of the “landmark” Domestic Abuse Bill. The Liberal Democrats tabled a number of amendments designed to further support survivors of domestic abuse. Ahead of the Commons debate, the Liberal Democrats had succeeded in pushing the Government to ban alleged domestic abusers from cross-examining survivors in family courts and to properly recognise children as victims of domestic abuse.   Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine had secured cross-party support for two amendments to protect migrants who experience domestic abuse. Neither was put to a vote, but the Government agreed to introduce a pilot scheme to give more support to migrant survivors, and Christine Jardine secured an assurance from the Minister that they will put a stop to police sharing survivors' data for immigration purposes. Following the passage…
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