17May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government putting ideology above people’s lives in refusing to extend Brexit talks

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that civil servants dealing with coronavirus have been redeployed to no-deal planning, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Government’s continuing rejection of calls for an extension to Brexit talks is reckless and flies in the face of the current efforts by everyone to tackle the coronavirus crisis. The reports that civil servants are being diverted from dealing with the virus to no-deal planning, as well as Michael Gove’s stubborn response this morning, shows the Government is determined to see the British public go from one crisis to the next. “As we witness coronavirus continue to take lives across the UK, especially in our care homes and on the frontline, it is outrageous that the Government are pulling resources away from tackling the spread of…
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17May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not pursue isolationist approach to vaccine

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's coronavirus press conference, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Any progress on a vaccine to fight coronavirus is welcome, but we must not solely base all our hopes on this one trial, nor should we turn our backs on international cooperation should we be successful. "We have seen the importance of international cooperation, whether it has been sourcing ventilators, processing tests when our own laboratories could not process them all, or in working with others to fly back citizens stuck abroad. Whether we are the first to be successful, or another country is, it is vital we continue to fight the virus with other countries rather than pursuing an isolationist approach as we have seen from the President of the United States. "In the…
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15May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government urged to protect funding to house homeless

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will no longer fund local councils to house homeless people during the Covid-19 pandemic, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: “The Coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented threat. It is leaving the most vulnerable in our communities at risk and it is our duty to look after them. “It would be irresponsible for the Government to pull emergency funding for local authorities to accommodate rough sleepers, particularly as many have underlying health conditions that make them susceptible to Coronavirus.“The compassionate approach, especially when hotels remain in need of custom, would be to continue the scheme and ensure no one is left out in the cold. “Ministers must also make specialist support available to those who struggle with addiction or other mental health issues, as is…
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15May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call for Coronavirus honours list

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are urging the Prime Minister to establish a coronavirus honours list to formally recognise and pay tribute to those who have "gone above and beyond" to serve their communities through the current crisis. In a letter to the Prime Minister from Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson, the party urges the Government to consider the introduction of the additional honours round, alongside an independent review of the salaries paid to those working on on the frontlines of the crisis.   The Liberal Democrats have also proposed a Frontline Support Package to give frontline workers the support they need and recognition they deserve. The package includes urgent provision for PPE, practical help for frontline workers, and an additional service payment for each day on the frontline.  Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness,…
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15May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must get a grip on care homes coronavirus crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to the ONS figures released this morning showing over 12,500 care home residents have died from coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The figures released today showing that more than 12,500 care home residents have died of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic are incredibly tragic and will horrify the British public. Even worse, the vast majority of these tragic deaths took place in a care home itself, not at a hospital where these people could have received critical care. “The virus has swept through care homes right across England and Wales, where our most vulnerable were being looked after. The Prime Minister must come forward and explain how this dreadful situation has been allowed to happen under his watch. “The Liberal Democrats and…
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15May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: Public would expect Brexit extension

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports of “very little progress" with the latest round of UK-EU trade talks, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Coronavirus crisis is leaving the most vulnerable at risk. Thousands of families will face financial hardship and people are rightly worried about their loved ones.  "To maintain any credibility, the Government should finally extend the Brexit negotiations so all their focus can be on tackling this pandemic. That is what the public would expect. “Meantime, the Government's unwillingness to work with the European Union through the current crisis is unforgivable. The UK should be opting into Covid-19 daily calls with EU health ministers and fully participating in all EU efforts to secure critical supplies.”
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14May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must publish scientific evidence behind lockdown decisions

Parliamentary news
Responding to Robert Jenrick's announcement that restrictions on estate agents have been lifted in England, Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said: “Recent announcements about easing lockdown have created more confusion than clarity and today's is no exception.  "The reopening of the housing market will leave millions wondering why they can view houses but aren't able to visit loved ones at home. This could also put potentially vulnerable tenants at risk.   "The Liberal Democrats have been clear the Government must publish the scientific guidance behind relaxing lockdown, otherwise they will completely lose the trust of the public. "We must test, trace and isolate to keep people safe. That is the only way to ease out of lockdown whilst minimising risk of transmission of COVID-19. Without this, any measures to relax lockdown are premature."
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14May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government misled businesses over post-Brexit customs checks

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's admission that there will be customs checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea after the Brexit transition period ends, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and Brexit spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “Johnson’s Government has failed to give businesses much needed clarity on this issue. It now seems Johnson was deeply dishonest with businesses when he previously asserted there would be no checks and businesses could put paperwork “in the bin”. "His Brexit deal will mean extra costs and bureaucracy for businesses in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, at a time when many are already struggling with the impact of coronavirus. "Liberal Democrats will continue to call on the Conservative Government to do the right thing and protect UK businesses. As part of this, it is vital the…
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14May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems say Manchester Airport money must come with green conditions

Borough news
Following reports that Oldham Council is set to borrow in the region of £13 million to contribute to a Greater Manchester scheme to support Manchester Airport, Lib Dem Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani called on the scheme to be balanced by a requirement for the airport to introduce improved green targets.  Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “Manchester Airport is extremely important for the region in terms of jobs and investment. However, if we are serious about the green targets that Oldham Council – and indeed Councils across Greater Manchester – have set, we must make sure that any investment comes with a green badge.” Traveller numbers have dropped dramatically, and at the moment, no-one knows quite what long-term impact the coronavirus and lockdown will have on international travel. But whatever the impact, lowering our carbon emissions…
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14May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councils need more support from Government or families will break apart and more people will die

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council, says the Government must stick to its promises – to help families and Councils.  Many people are living below the bread line, many are dependent on food banks.  Some families will become vulnerable to loan sharks or turn to crime in order to ‘put bread on the table’ for their family.  Councillor Sykes thinks it is imperative that the Government funds Councils properly so they can prevent problems like this arising. Councils are being hit the hardest through loss of income much more than extra spending demands. In Oldham’s case loss of income are projected at £27M for 12 months compared to just over £19M on increased expenditure.  To date we have received £14.2M. Oldham Borough…
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