Author: Sam Al-Hamdani

The Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Coronavirus Bill which makes clear the Government must pay schools and colleges “whatever it costs” so that children can keep learning if schools stay shut for several months. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran, a former teacher, has warned if some schools continue to deliver lessons and others don’t it will be a “disaster for social mobility.” The proposals from the Liberal Democrats includes creating a duty on schools and colleges to ensure that pupils – whether at home or on-site – continue to receive an education, accepting that schools are unlikely to be able to cover the national curriculum. The party is also seeking a commitment from Ministers to refund schools and colleges for any reasonable purchases of equipment, software…

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has called for Parliament to have a future vote on whether it is necessary for the Government to retain new emergency powers beyond a year. He said: “The Coronavirus crisis is leaving the most vulnerable in our communities at risk. People across the country are rightly worried about their loved ones. “While emergency powers are clearly necessary to deal with this emergency, Liberal Democrats have serious concerns about Parliament handing over such far-reaching powers to Ministers for a full two years. “That is why Liberal Democrats are seeking to ensure the legislation includes provision for Parliament to have a future vote on whether it is necessary for the Government to retain these powers beyond a year.”

Responding to news that a law to block evictions will come into force in the coming days, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Tim Farron said: “Millions of renters will be relieved to hear that legal protections will be put in place to block evictions for the next three months - but there needs to be clarity about what happens to anyone falling into arrears because of impact of the coronavirus after that. “Thousands of families will face financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus. Measures like this are vital in providing certainty in the immediate term, but do not assist with actually paying the rent. “The government must make clear that it will extend these measures for as long as is necessary to enable people to get back on their feet in the…

Responding to the publication of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The appalling Windrush Scandal saw far too many innocent people wrongly denied access to healthcare and housing, detained and even deported. “Despite the apologies from Conservative Ministers, their Hostile Environment still causes far too many people to be robbed of their rights and dignity. This has to stop. “The Government needs to restore public confidence and build a fair immigration system that treats everyone with dignity and respect. That’s why the Liberal Democrats are calling for the Hostile Environment to be scrapped altogether. “We owe it to the Windrush Generation to ensure that a scandal like this cannot happen again.”

Responding to the Prime Minister’s most recent update on the coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “People cannot wait any longer for news about what they will have to live on if they lose their jobs. Few businesses are in a position to ‘stand by their workers’ when their income stream has collapsed. This is about putting food on the table. “The government must act now to prevent people falling into destitution. We need to see grants immediately for struggling small businesses before they are forced to lay off staff. And we need bold Government action subsiding workers’ salaries before we see tens of thousands of job losses. “These are difficult and uncertain times. The Liberal Democrats are calling on government to act now to give…

Responding to the reports that EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has said the EU is open to a possible request to extend the Brexit transition period, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “With countries across Europe battling the coronavirus crisis, Commission President von der Leyen’s comments are welcome news. “The UK government’s focus must be on tackling this pandemic and saving as many lives as possible. “Extending the transition period would help reduce the burden and uncertainty on businesses, the economy, and most importantly our NHS and social care system. “An extension is the right thing to do. Liberal Democrats will continue to urge Boris Johnson to secure one as a priority.”