Author: Sam Al-Hamdani

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has called on the Prime Minister to suspend Brexit talks and seek a delay to the transition period so that the government can focus efforts and resources on the developing Coronavirus crisis. He said in the letter "this request is not about ... past debates. This request is designed to help you and the country navigate our way through the current crisis". Ed Davey also called for Boris Johnson to ensure the UK is present at vital information sharing meetings with other EU leaders and health ministers.  Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey said: “At a time of unprecedented strain on our NHS, our economy and millions of jobs across the country, the government must take immediate steps to limit the pressure and impact.…

Following the Chancellor’s statement outlining financial support measures in the face of the coronavirus crisis, Ed Davey, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for the the government to:  guarantee that anyone who is laid off receives at least 20 days of full pay; provide full council tax relief for bands A to E for at least six months, with councils fully compensated for this loss of income;turn day one universal credit loans into grants immediately; take action to ensure no renter is evicted in the coming months as a result of this crisis; Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “We face an unprecedented threat, and we must utilise every available resource to protect people's livelihoods and support business at this extraordinary time.  “The level of financial interventions proposed by government may prove…

The Liberal Democrats have warned that the Government must take immediate steps to prepare for “inevitable” closures to schools and universities in order to limit the spread of coronavirus. In a letter to the Education Secretary, the party's education spokesperson Layla Moran has pointed to schools that are already making plans to close during the pandemic and called for “urgent clarity… about what they will be expected to provide and how vulnerable children will be protected”. The latest research from Imperial College London, which informed the Government’s actions announced this week, recommends that the minimum steps needed to suppress the virus include both “population-wide social distancing” and “school and university closure.” In her letter, Layla Moran requests an urgent meeting with Ministers in order to discuss: If schools have the…

Responding to the news that the BBC has postponed the changes to TV licences for the over-75s until 1st August 2020, Liberal Democrat DCMS spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “As Ministers warn that people aged over 70 may soon be asked to stay at home, this announcement will be welcome news. “But it is not a decision that the BBC should have to make. Passing the buck on free TV licences for the over-75s was an underhand tactic by the Conservatives. The Government was wrong to force these cost-cutting measures on to the BBC. “Boris Johnson should do the honourable thing and compensate the BBC for the loss of revenue. At a time when fake news about Coronavirus is spreading rapidly, Liberal Democrats will support our public broadcasters to provide accurate, impartial…

Responding to news that the UK is now in the 'delay' phase of its coronavirus response, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Families right across the UK are extremely worried about the coronavirus. People want to see action - to know what to do next - and they want to see that the government's plans are robust and scientifically-led.   “In the context of this global pandemic, it is right for the government to move forward with measures that will slow down the spread of this virus. Ministers must make clear to the public how best to prepare personally, plan for businesses, and protect those who are most vulnerable.  “Whilst the financial assistance outlined in yesterday's budget is a step in the right direction we remain concerned. With limited…

Responding to the Budget, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This Budget reveals the UK economy was alarmingly weak even before Coronavirus. The Government is desperate to blame anyone or anything but the reality is that it’s the Conservatives’ Brexit which is costing Britain’s economy dearly. “Whilst the Government is taking some action to deal with the Coronavirus, after five years of Tory governments the NHS and our social care sector are chronically under-funded, under-resourced and under-staffed, just at the moment we need them most. Nothing is being done to fill the care sector's staffing needs here and now. “With COP26 around the corner this government has fundamentally failed to show any real global leadership on dealing with the climate emergency. Rather than create a green infrastructure plan for…

Responding to reports that Boris Johnson intends to make Chris Grayling chair of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This is yet another blatant power grab by Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings. They are trying to prevent anyone from holding them to account in a meaningful way. “The Intelligence and Security Committee does crucial work holding the Government and security services to account. It scrutinises evidence deemed too sensitive for the rest of us to see. “The public needs to have confidence that the Committee is independent of Government. Installing a lackey of the Prime Minister – especially one with as little credibility as Chris Grayling – badly undermines that confidence. “Principled Conservative MPs should refuse to go along with this latest…

Responding to reports that the Chancellor will use his Budget to spend £70 million on probation as part of the Government’s bid to make Britain’s streets safer, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Too many people feel unsafe in their own homes and walking down their own streets. The criminal justice system is failing to rehabilitate people, leading to more crimes and more victims. “For far too long, the Conservatives have been so desperate to appear tough on crime that they have failed to properly invest in the things that help people build lives free from crime. “The Government does need to invest in probation and improve the supervision of people released on licence. But it also needs to invest in rehabilitative services, both in prison and in the…