Author: Sam Al-Hamdani

Today, Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper will put forward legislation that would ensure female prisoners are given community sentences, unless they have committed a serious or violent offence and pose a threat to the public. Women make up less than 5% of the prison population, but they are more likely than male prisoners to be serving short sentences for non-violent offences. The majority experienced childhood abuse and many are victims of domestic abuse. This helps support the case that as most women in prison are vulnerable people, they should be only sent to prison when absolutely necessary. Ahead of the introduction of her bill, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Far too many women are sent to prison on short sentences for non-violent offences. Most of them have experienced abuse, and…

Today, Liberal Democrats will put forward legislation to help ensure pupils have access to toilets during lesson times.  Many girls starting their periods are being denied access to the toilet during school lessons, with some schools even enforcing  a blanket ban on children going to the toilet in lesson time. A survey for Plan International UK found that more than half of girls aged 14-21 had missed class because they were worried about being on their period. The Bill, put forward by Layla Moran as part of a move by the Liberal Democrats to tackle inequality ahead of International Women’s Day, would require the Secretary of State to publish guidance for state-funded schools, enabling teachers to use their common sense in letting their students go the bathroom during their lessons.…

Responding to the Education Policy Institute’s report on teacher shortages, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “Children living in our most disadvantaged areas are losing out from the Conservatives’ failure to tackle the teacher recruitment crisis. In schools where more children are on free school meals, fewer teaching posts are filled, more experienced teachers are moving on and staff take more days off because of stress and workload. “It’s time that the Government started valuing our teachers. The increase in starting salaries is welcome, but our experienced teachers also need a proper pay boost to keep them in the profession – and schools can’t be expected to pick up the tab. “Liberal Democrats would guarantee teachers high-quality professional development and put an end to the constant political meddling…

Responding to analysis suggesting a US-UK trade deal will boost UK GDP by less than 0.2%, Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for International Trade said: “Boris Johnson has repeatedly claimed that negative impacts of Brexit will pale in comparison to the benefits. But today’s analysis is clear: the gains from the best-case trade deal with Donald Trump will not come close to outweighing what we expect to lose from leaving the EU. “The situation will be even more catastrophic if Boris Johnson sends the UK careering off a no-deal cliff edge, thanks to his self-imposed June deadline for talks. It is astounding that the Prime Minister is seemingly hellbent on risking UK prosperity. “Liberal Democrats will continue to fight against the PM’s damaging hard Brexit plans. We will continue to push for what is in…

Commenting as Sir Philip Rutnam announced he will leave the Home Office to sue the government, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “We need to be asking serious questions about the culture that is being created in the Home Office. “The way these Conservatives are treating public servants and trying to undermine the rule of law is outrageous. “The Tories are acting just like Donald Trump, putting ideology ahead of competence, and it’s the British people who will pay the price.”

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives of turning the UK into “a hostile environment for everyone”, as new official figures show that the number of Brits moving abroad has reached its highest level in more than six years. The latest Migration Statistics, published by the Office for National Statistics, show that 140,000 British people emigrated in the year to September 2019, up 16% on the previous year and the highest 12-month total since April 2012 to March 2013. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The Conservatives are driving people away through a combination of badly mismanaging the economy and imposing nasty social policies. Is this what they meant by Global Britain? “This is a Tory Government that’s been deliberately trying to turn the UK into…