10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must commit to inquiry into handling of COVID-19

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's COVID-19 update from the Prime Minister, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Parents and teachers will be asking why the Prime Minister is talking just about theme parks and zoos when so many parents want to hear about the practical steps to reopen schools safely in the weeks ahead.   “The fact remains that a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is still the only way to keep people safe as we move out of lockdown. Yet the Government still hasn't delivered on this, and apparently won't be able to until September. Ministers can't even provide figures for the number of people being tested day-to-day.  “The Prime Minister needs to be utterly transparent about the barriers to opening schools, the limits to testing capacity and…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: PM must abolish suspicion-less stop and search

Parliamentary news
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has written to the Prime Minister calling on him to abolish harmful section 60 suspicion-less stop and search powers. Black people are disproportionately likely to be stopped and searched by the police, and for suspicion-less stop and search the figures are particularly stark. Last year there were there were 4,858 searches of black people and 2,669 of white people, meaning that a black person is 47 times as likely to be subject to Section 60 Stop and Search as a white person. Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Under suspicion-less Stop and Search powers, a Black person is 47 times more likely to be stopped and searched than a white person.  “On too many occasions stop and search seems to mean…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must help businesses and people excluded from support schemes

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that 8.9m jobs have been furloughed & 2.6m claims submitted to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The furlough scheme and income support for self-employed people, which the Liberal Democrats fought hard to get, are providing a lifeline for millions of families. “However, far too many people are still excluded from this support, including those who recently became self-employed and those who operate as limited companies. The Chancellor must expand the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to cover these people. “The Government must not leave behind people and businesses without the support they need when these schemes come to an end. Many parts of our economy, such as tourism and hospitality, will simply not be back up to speed by October.…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Record levels of domestic abuse demands tougher law, warn Lib Dems

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports from the NSPCC that children impacted by domestic abuse have soared to an average of one an hour during the coronavirus lockdown, Liberal Democrat Homes Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Domestic abuse leaves a devasting, lifelong impact on survivors. To know that cases have spiked to a record level during the coronavirus lockdown is terrifying. “Ministers must act. Not only must the Government address shortages in services but Ministers must also use the Domestic Abuse Bill to strengthen protection and support for survivors. “That is why I am urging the Government to support Liberal Democrats amendments to improve key aspects of this Bill, and help those who are trapped, without resources to leave abusive homes.”
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

New flexible employment rights for carers in new Bill proposed by Ed Davey

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Acting Leader, Ed Davey, will today introduce a Bill in the House of Commons to give carers more rights to flexible working, helping them balance employment with caring responsibilities. The Equality Act 2010 currently requires employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for people with disabilities to help them work, which can include physical adjustments as well as adjustments like a more flexible approach to working. Ed Davey’s Bill today would extend that requirement to include carers who are looking after disabled people.  Under Ed Davey’s Bill, carers would be in a stronger position to ask for flexible working, allowing them to better balance their caring responsibilities with their job. A survey by the Disability Law Service found that 52% of carers who had made requests for flexible working had them rejected. Acting Leader of the Liberal…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government wrong to deny Brexit extension

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports the UK Government will tell the EU on Friday it is not going to seek an extension to the Brexit transition period, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “Food shortages, medicine shortages, and an unprecedented hit to jobs and livelihoods: that is what the UK is facing if we crash out of the EU without a deal. “Boris Johnson's ideological stubbornness will see the most vulnerable in our country hit hardest. “With the country is already struggling as a result of Covid-19, it beggars belief that the Government are happy to pile Brexit on top of this already devastating situation. “Liberal Democrats will continue to urge the Government to think again and extend the transition period.”
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must take charge and ensure deprived children aren’t left behind

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on Boris Johnson to take charge of the crisis facing schools and ensure disadvantaged children are not left behind, accusing Gavin Williamson of having “dropped the ball." It comes after the former Head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, this morningsaid the Government’s failure to consult with teachers over its plans was “absolutely astonishing.” Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Parents and teachers have raised concerns from the outset about how to get pupils safely back into school, but Gavin Williamson has refused to listen. It’s no surprise this whole process has descended into a complete shambles. “Time and again the Education Secretary has dropped the ball, from refusing to extend free school meals over the summer to leaving thousands of disadvantaged children without laptops. “Boris…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Councillors in fresh plea for Accessible Shopping Districts

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Councillors Diane Williamson and Hazel Gloster want to make our community centres more accessible.  They are aiming to set aside funding and offer improved access for those with mobility issues.  Councillor Williamson and Councillor Gloster are bringing forward a proposal to do just this to the 17 June Oldham Council meeting. The motion requests Oldham Council to partner with: Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Action on Hearing Loss and other charities to carry out assessment of buildings and shopping areas.  Then, with the funding set aside the improvements will be made. Councillor Williamson (right) says: “Covid-19 has pushed elderly and ‘at-risk’ people from our high streets.  This motion aids those made vulnerable by Covid-19 to make an easier return to accessing what our…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: UK needs Green Recovery Plan to counter COVID-19 economic damage

Parliamentary news
Responding to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that predicts the UK economy will shrink by 11.5% and experience the worst economic contraction among developed countries due to the coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Coronavirus has proven to be a bigger threat to people’s jobs and livelihoods than even the financial crash. People are rightly worried about their jobs, their families and their communities. We must ensure no one is left behind. “The UK desperately needs a Green Recovery Plan. We can rebuild the economy and protect the environment by creating jobs through embracing new, green technologies.  “The Prime Minister must also stop the double-whammy of a no-deal by ending the uncertainly and extend the Brexit transition period, protecting access to markets…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats tax relief for public transport

Borough news, Campaigns
In October 2013, then journalist and now Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for employees to be “allowed to pay for their [public transport] season tickets from their pre-tax income”. Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Garth Harkness and Louie Hamblett are now calling the Prime Minister’s bluff, with a new motion to the first Oldham Council meeting since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic.  The idea behind the policy is to make a saving for passengers while actively encouraging people to reinvest in public transport. The scheme would be on seasonal travel tickets throughout the public transport network in Greater Manchester.  Passengers would save hundreds of pounds a year. Councillor Harkness commented:  “It will be interesting to see if the Prime Minister makes good on this.  After all, it is his idea! …
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