10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems propose support package for employers to keep workers safe as lockdown eases

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to help businesses draw up risk assessments to keep their employees safe as they return to work, and to establish a Coronavirus Safety Hotline for whistleblowers to report unsafe workplaces. The party has emphasised that anyone who can work from home must continue to do so in line with the current public health guidance, and that this must remain the case until the Government has scaled up testing and tracing sufficiently to stop the spread of coronavirus. The measures, set out today by Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, are intended to support small and medium-sized businesses who are bringing employees back to work now – as well as all employers as the lockdown is eased in future. The Liberal Democrats’ “Safe…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Empty pharma stockpiles show govt must rethink transition extension

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that No Deal Brexit stockpiles “significantly reduced and/or used up entirely” by Covid pandemic, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “These reports show the recklessness of the government’s approach to Brexit negotiations and protecting our economy and NHS. “The stockpiles created to protect against the risk of a no deal Brexit have now been used up, and building them back up to safe levels by the end of the year is going to be very difficult.  “So by pushing the UK into a no deal Brexit the Conservatives could be putting more lives and more jobs at risk. “The calls to extend the transition period have come from people who voted leave and remain a like. The government must put national interest ahead of Brexit…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems push to strengthen support for survivors in Domestic Abuse Bill

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill to "strengthen protection and support" for survivors of abuse.Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, has tabled a series of amendments at Committee Stage to ensure the "strongest possible" support for survivors. The measures include:  Create Local Welfare Provision schemes to provide a "financial lifeline" to anyone trapped in a violent home because they cannot afford to leave;Provide guidance to prevent economic abuse through withholding of child maintenance funds or similar actions;  Ensure the option of special measures - such as appearance via video-link - for people giving evidence about domestic abuse in family courts, not just criminal courts;Provide guidance on safeguarding young people from abuse in the context of teenage relationships. The Liberal Democrats will also be supporting amendments on a range of other issues, including ensuring that survivors receive…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government failing NHS staff and care workers

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that NHS trusts were not consulted over new face coverings rule, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This is yet another betrayal by the Government of the NHS and care staff who are putting their lives on the line every single day.  “Why is the Secretary of State prioritising press conference announcements over consultation with NHS staff? Now we face a situation where our stretched and under-resourced NHS is having to adapt to these new measures without appropriate warning and still without the full guidance being published. “When the nation pulls through from this crisis, Boris Johnson and his Government will have a number of questions to answer about why they have blindsided NHS staff and care workers. “A public inquiry cannot come soon…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not sleep walk into a second peak

Parliamentary news
Responding to comments from the Health Secretary  that the governemnt was continuing to follow experts advice to deal with the Coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Health Secretary has said that the government is following the science, yet a senior SAGE epidemiologist again stated that the lockdown started too late and the new easing of lockdown was happening too quickly. “Matt Hancock also confirmed that the country is still at level 4 in its own Coronavirus warning system, but the government continue to ease the lockdown anyway. This could be yet another reckless move. “Without the critical Test, Trace and Isolate infrastructure in place, abandoning the advice of senior epidemiologists this government looks increasingly near sleep walking into another rise of Coronavirus in the UK.”
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems to use emergency debate to warn Rees-Mogg is threatening public health

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats will today use an emergency debate in Parliament to warn Jacob Rees-Mogg that if an MP falls ill to COVID-19 or there is a spike in cases because of travel to and from London then he must take personal responsibility and resign. The debate, secured by Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael MP, was agreed following alarm at Business Secretary Alok Sharma becoming unwell with COVID-19 symptoms in Parliament last week. The Orkney and Shetland MP believes Mr Sharma’s condition “should be a wakeup call for the Government” and makes clear that forcing physical proceedings “exposes MPs, our families and our constituents to risk.” The Liberal Democrats are demanding the Government accept the public health risks of denying MPs who are shielding the right to represent their constituents and…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Covid-19 has exposed politics as not fit for purpose, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats will today lead a debate in the House of Commons calling for a “radical overhaul” of Westminster politics, warning it is “not for purpose” to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. The debate - the first in the House of Commons chamber on electoral reform since 2016 – will be led by Liberal Democrat Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain. The North East Fife MP is expected to declare that Westminster’s broken political system is shutting out people who “need their voices heard now more than ever” during the coronavirus pandemic. The Liberal Democrats will use the debate to call on other political parties to join them in getting behind change and reforming the way people elect MPs with a proportional voting system. Speaking ahead of the debate, Liberal Democrat MP Wendy…
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Extend Brexit transition now

Parliamentary news
Following the latest round of Brexit negotiations, Michel Barnier today made it clear that there has been no significant progress on numerous issues including Level Playing Field commitments and fishing. Urging the government to extend the transition period, Liberal Democrat Acting Leader Ed Davey said: “Boris Johnson can no longer cross his fingers and hope no one is paying attention to the huge Brexit mess hurtling towards us. We are running out of time. “Barnier has made it clear: not enough progress has been made on negotiations. “We are now dangerously close to the extension deadline. It is time to do the right thing for our NHS, economy, and vital supplies of food and medicines.  “The government must stop posturing. Johnson must extend the transition period for the maximum period possible. To…
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tariff proposals show Johnson’s willing to break his word on Brexit yet again

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the UK Government is considering accepting tariffs as part of any UK-EU transition deal, Liberal Democrat Brexit and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “This proposal is the latest chapter in a long story of the Brexit reality failing to meet Boris Johnson’s rhetoric. “Johnson told British businesses, including farmers, they’d have tariff free access to the EU market.  “But just as he promised Northern Irish businesses that there would be no checks in the Irish Sea, and consumers that we wouldn’t have chlorinated chickens on our shelves, it seems that this too is an issue he is willing to break his word on.  “The Government risks selling out UK farmers and industry all for their ideological Brexit.”
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt must be clear on process for regional COVID-19 lockdowns

Parliamentary news
A Cambridge University and PHE England study has suggested the decline in the COVID-19 death rate in England may arrest by mid-June. Responding to this, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Munira Wilson said: “Scientists and public health officials sounded the alarm when the Government eased lockdown this week, given the COVID-19 risk level is still "high". These findings show that they were right to advise caution.  "An effective test, trace and isolate system is the only way to keep people safe. But Ministers relaxed lockdown measures before establishing a fully functioning test and trace service, or even getting the NHSX App up and running.  "The UK coronavirus death toll has now, tragically, surpassed 40,000 - the highest in Europe. Given the scale of the crisis in the UK, Ministers must be…
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