13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Test of Government funding is how quickly cash reaches NHS and councils

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Chancellor's announcement of additional funding for the NHS and local authorities, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The coronavirus crisis is stretching our NHS and local councils to the limit so this crisis cash injection has been urgently needed for several weeks. “Yet it’s vital this cash gets out much more quickly than normal and reaches the right places - especially in getting protective equipment to NHS and social care staff and assisting local authorities in supporting the most vulnerable, from the frail elderly to the homeless and domestic abuse victims. “Council leaders have been understandably sceptical about Ministers’ willingness to support local communities with vital early, substantial cash injections. “The test of this announcement is whether councils see the money they need now,…
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PPE rollout must extend to all social care workers

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Health Secretary, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Munira Wilson, said: “Frontline workers are putting their lives on the line every single day to protect us. In turn, we have a moral obligation to do all we can to protect them. While unacceptably late, it is welcome news that the Government has finally come forward with a plan to distribute PPE. “As an absolute priority, the Government must ensure an urgent rollout of PPE and testing not just to all NHS staff but also all social care workers in order to protect both themselves and the most vulnerable. This rollout out must also be accompanied by the clear, unequivocal guidance which keeps all our frontline staff safe.”
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government not doing enough to provide PPE to frontline staff

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Home Secretary's comments about failures to roll out the correct equipment to protect frontline workers in the NHS and social care, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Throughout the crisis, Liberal Democrats have been supportive of all the efforts to beat coronavirus. We continue to agree with the experts that people must stay at home to save lives.  “Yet over the last few days, it has become clear that the Government is failing to deliver on key promises to NHS and social care workers, especially over supplies of protective equipment. Ministers look in danger of losing control. “We simply cannot send tens of thousands of frontline workers to care for people as they fight this virus without adequate protection.  “The lack of sufficient protective equipment is…
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must expand emergency accommodation for people suffering domestic violence

Parliamentary news
Responding to Priti Patel's announcement that the Home Office is working with charities to provide an extra £2m for domestic abuse support, Liberal Democrat's Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “This announcement is of course welcome, I am relieved the that the Home Secretary is taking steps to tackle the terrifying rise in domestic violence.  “However, the Home Secretary can still go much further. For far too many people, their home is not a place of safety. Many thousands of people are in the horrific position of being isolated in the same place as their abuser. “The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Home Office to work closely with hoteliers so that their hotels can be used as emergency accommodation, with the Government covering the costs. “The Government must act now to ensure that anyone who feels…
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must convene Emergency Vulnerable Children Taskforce

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the lockdown is putting vulnerable children at risk, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “It’s deeply worrying that vulnerable children may not have the support they need whilst they are unable to attend school due to the lockdown. “Liberal Democrats have already successfully campaigned for school meals to continue over Easter, but this is just one of the many problems vulnerable children face. The Government must ensure the well-being of these children and their families during the lockdown. “Gavin Williamson must convene an Emergency Vulnerable Children Taskforce, including headteachers, police, NHS and social services to ensure best practice is being spread, we have absolute assurance that in these trying circumstances safeguarding our most vulnerable children is a top priority.”
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09Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must ensure coronvirus help is getting to businesses

Parliamentary news
Responding to ONS figures today that show only 40% of businesses feel confident they can keep trading through the coronavirus crisis, Acting Leader of Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “These figures show the unbelievable strain that businesses throughout the UK are under. The Government has come up with several helpful measures but it seems that some of them, particularly the business loans scheme, are just not getting to the businesses and people that need them.  “That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to review the  Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and to allow alternative lenders to loan money to small businesses particularly allowing the growing fin tech industry to help. “The coronavirus crisis is going to be a painful time for businesses and individuals. The Government must constantly review their…
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09Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Home Secretary must answer concerns of Passport Office staff

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that the Home Office has told Passport Office staff to go back to work next week despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Passport Office staff are rightly deeply concerned about being told to go back to work next week, just as the coronavirus pandemic is expected to reach its peak. “The Government must ensure safe working conditions for everyone keeping vital public services going during this crisis. And the Home Secretary must come forward to address the concerns of her staff. “It’s time Priti Patel answered important questions about this and numerous other coronavirus-related issues, from emergency police powers to support for refugees and survivors of domestic abuse.”
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08Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dem Chief Whip calls for all-party meeting on parliamentary proposals

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrat Chief Whip has today called for an urgent all-party meeting to discuss remote working for Parliament, including a special committee of MPs, chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, to scrutinise the Government’s coronavirus response.  In a letter to the Chief Whips of all parties in the House of Commons, Alistair Carmichael MP warned the necessary constraints caused by the spread of coronavirus mean “we must consider alternative arrangements.” The letter follows confirmation from the Speaker of the House of Commons has backed calls for a "virtual" Parliament to allow MPs to keep on scrutinising the Government during the coronavirus outbreak. Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael said: “People deserve reassurance that their representatives can fulfil their duties wherever they are in the country, even in these exceptional circumstances.…
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07Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must extend transition period to focus on coronavirus crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to a poll which has demonstrated the widespread support for extending the Brexit transition period, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “People will rightly see no reason why the Government should stick to its self-imposed deadlines on negotiating a new deal with the EU. At the moment we must focus on saving people’s lives by tackling the coronavirus. “That is why the Liberal Democrats have been calling for the transition period to be extended. Brexit is still a divisive issue and will have a serious impact on the economy – but right now we must be united and resolute in doing everything we can do support vulnerable people through the coronavirus crisis.”
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07Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must strengthen guidance on PPE in social care settings

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports in the Health Service Journal that plans are in place to deliver 30 million pieces of personal protective equipment to social care providers, Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care said: “Many social care staff, who are on the frontline of this crisis, will feel a huge sense of relief at the prospect of finally receiving personal protective equipment. “However, the suggestion from Ministers that supplies should be prioritised for those who currently have "close unavoidable contact with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases" is like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. We should be doing everything possible to stop transmission of the virus into care settings in the first place, as well as onward transmission when a patient already has the…
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