26Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Irresponsible for Government to change social distancing at schools

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that social distancing rules will be relaxed as part of plans to get all pupils back to school in September, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “We all want to be able to have pupils back at school in order to give them the education they need, but not until it is made safe. "However, it is irresponsible for the Government to announce a change of tact on social distancing when they don't know what the R rate will be in September.  “Ministers must give reassurances that they will not rush through a decision which could see weaker safety measures in schools than in any other public spaces.  “If the Government want people to have confidence that this is the right decision, they must publish the…
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26Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must guarantee NHS Test & Trace fully functional before lockdown eases

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the latest figures for NHS Test & Trace show that nearly 30% of people who tested positive for coronavirus last week were not reached by contact tracers, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The latest tracing figures are alarming and provide yet more evidence that England’s Test & Trace system is in disarray. "With the Prime Minister's announcement that lockdown will ease dramatically in a few days' time, a robust and effective system to test, trace and isolate every case of coronavirus to keep people safe is absolutely critical. Without this system - let alone a cure or a vaccine - the risks of a second peak are grave indeed. "Millions have made heartbreaking sacrifices since lockdown began. Rushing the return…
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25Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Jenrick must resign or be sacked

Parliamentary news
Responding to Nadhim Zahawi’s comments today suggesting that voters should consider attending Conservative Party fundraisers in their local area if they want access to MPs and local authorities, Liberal Democrat Housing, Communities and Local Government Spokesperson Tim Farron said: “The 'defence' of Robert Jenrick is in reality little more than an admission of cash for access. It seems the Tory Party's commitment to the 'levelling up' agenda amounts to sleaze and corruption. "Every new, scandalous detail that emerges about Jenrick's decision to railroad through a housing deal to help out a Tory donor demonstrates that he is entirely unfit to hold public office. "People deserve better. Up until a very few months ago, a Minister caught in this kind of situation would have done the decent thing and resigned before…
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25Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Cross-party group urge Govt to agree to increased aid scrutiny in wake of DfID axe

Parliamentary news
A cross-party group has called on the Government to “allay the widespread concern” that UK international aid is under threat because of the axing of the Department for International Development (DfID) by agreeing to new Parliamentary scrutiny.  Former Liberal Democrat Chair of the International Development Committee Lord Malcolm Bruce, who has coordinated the cross-party efforts, warned the Government must show it is “not turning its back on the world’s poorest.” In a letter to the Prime Minister, signed by over 70 parliamentarians, the group call for the Government’s support to retain the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) and International Development Committee. The group also asks for a commitment to have a Development Minister in the Cabinet. Among the cross-party group include a number of former Ministers in DfID, the…
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25Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader calls for free wifi to be restored on trams

Borough news, Campaigns
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to Metrolink bosses calling for Wi-fi to be made available on available on tram services. Councillor Sykes sits as an Oldham representative on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.  Councillor Sykes also represents Shaw Ward, which is located on the busiest Metrolink tram service and has the most used stop – Shaw and Crompton – on the Rochdale – Oldham line.  He was responding to a report from one of his constituents, himself a regular tram user, that the Wi-fi service has not been available on trams on the line since the onset of the Coronavirus Lockdown. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “I do not know why the Wi-fi service was…
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25Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems “delighted” by move to increase protection for abuse survivors in family courts

Parliamentary news
The Government has confirmed it will strengthen protections in courts for survivors of domestic abuse through an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill, following calls from campaigning organisations and the Liberal Democrats.  During Committee Stage of the Bill, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine tabled an amendment calling for the introduction of 'special measures' in family courts during Committee Stage of the Bill. The Government has today announced that it will bring in these changes in their own version of the amendment. Following the Government announcement Christine Jardine said:  “These latest recommendations to protect Domestic Abuse survivors  in family courts are what we were asking for in the Bill and so I’m delighted the Government is to recognise this with their own version of our amendment. “Too often, perpetrators use court proceedings to continue their abuse and…
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24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Bank of America criticism of pound performance shows need to extend transition period

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that analysts at Bank of America have suggested pound sterling has behaved more like the currency of an emerging market since the Brexit referendum vote, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Boris Johnson's reckless pursuit of Brexit at all costs risks diminishing the UK's global status in both economic and political terms. “Instead of acting in the national interest, Conservative Ministers have been content to drive the UK towards a disastrous no deal Brexit cliff-edge. It's no surprise the pound has suffered as a direct result. “The Prime Minister must do the responsible thing and ensure some stability by extending the transition period. We are already struggling with a global crisis. Adding Brexit uncertainty to this is utterly reckless and will harm our chance of a rapid recovery.”
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24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Charity shops or bust? UK charities on the brink of crisis in post Covid-19 world

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, says our High Street faces unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  He has written to Oldham Council bosses over concerns for the future of the charity economy in Oldham Borough. Charity shops provide essential revenue for charities in Oldham Borough, Greater Manchester and across the UK.  They also provide an affordable option for many people to shop locally.   Councillor Sykes has asked a number of questions to Oldham Council about how to protect this important sector of the Oldham community: How can Oldham Council support and help charity shops in Oldham Borough as we move out of this crisis?Have you spoken to the Charity Retail Association or any local charities…
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24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems move to scrap Section 60 Stop and Search

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to back a new Bill to scrap suspicion-less stop and search in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, which have exposed ingrained institutional racism and discrimination in the UK. Given the disproportionate impact of current Stop and Search laws on black people in particular, and BAME communities more widely, the Liberal Democrats will today (Wednesday 24 June) introduce a Bill to outlaw suspicion-less Stop and Search, highlighting that the current law "undermines" community trust in police. The Party is demanding the Government back their proposal. If passed, the law would prohibit Section 60, suspicion-less stop and search, which currently leaves a black person almost 50 times more likely to be stopped than a white person. The party is further calling…
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24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Evidence for reopening schools must be published amidst fears of Covid-19 spike

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to publish the scientific advice underpinning the decision to reopen schools following reports the move could increase the rate of Covid-19 infections. Calculations for Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) show that if schools are fully reopened, a “surprisingly small” chain of infection could quickly carry the virus across the country. Sources close to SAGE also told The Times that scientists are uncertain schools will be able to reopen to all pupils in September without closing down other parts of the economy again. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “We all want to be able to have pupils back at school in order to give them the education they need, but not until it is made safe. These reports are exactly why parents and…
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