03Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems demand public inquiry into P&O sacking scandal

Lib Dems demand public inquiry into P&O sacking scandal

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for an independent public inquiry into the sacking of 800 P&O Ferries workers on the Government’s watch to be launched. The party has written a letter to the Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, demanding that an inquiry start without delay so that “families can get the answers they deserve”. The letter asserts that Chris Grayling should be the first to be questioned after it has emerged that he failed to close a loophole in the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act during his tenure as Secretary of State for Transport. The oversight has protected P&O from prosecution in spite of their failure to inform of the sackings in writing 45 days prior. It comes after it was revealed that the firm will take delivery of 2…
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
SEND Green Paper: A real kick in the teeth for parents

SEND Green Paper: A real kick in the teeth for parents

Parliamentary news
Responding to the launch of the Government's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision Green Paper, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: "For all the fanfare and promises from Ministers this Green Paper is a real kick in the teeth for parents of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. "The Conservatives have left parents stuck dealing with a broken system and unable to get their children the help they need. "Every child with special needs should be identified at the earliest opportunity and then supported through their entire education."
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Women killed at the hands of men in 28% of all murder cases

Women killed at the hands of men in 28% of all murder cases

Parliamentary news
House of Commons Library Research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that 28% of all murder cases since 2016 are women murdered by men. Since the brutal murder of Sarah Everard last year in March, the data shows that 109 women have been murdered where men were the main suspect. This is out of 414 murder victims overall, equalling 26% of all murder cases. Liberal Democrat Women and Equalities Spokesperson, Wera Hobhouse MP has slammed the Government for turning a blind eye to anti-women hatred and refusing to take violence against women and girls seriously. Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of ‘turning a blind-eye’ to violence against women and girls, choosing to bury their head in the sand. Wera Hobhouse MP commented: “These figures lay are nothing short…
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government blocks Lib Dem push to force developers to remove unsafe cladding

Government blocks Lib Dem push to force developers to remove unsafe cladding

Parliamentary news
Conservatives in the House of Lords have voted down a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Building Safety Bill that would have penalised developers who do not remove unsafe cladding from their buildings. In a series of votes this evening, the Government voted down Lib Dem proposals that would have forced developers to undertake vital fire remediation work, including removing unsafe cladding, within five years. However, the Government was defeated on proposals to protect leaseholders from the cost of remediation work. As a result of tonight's votes, the proposed £100,000 cap on bills that leaseholders can face has been reduced to £0 - nullifying the cost entirely. Commenting after the vote, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: “Tonight, Conservative peers had a chance to stand up for the thousands…
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Homes for Ukraine: Thousands left in limbo by slow and chaotic Conservative response

Homes for Ukraine: Thousands left in limbo by slow and chaotic Conservative response

Parliamentary news
Responding to new statistics on the Homes for Ukraine scheme which show that less than 10% of applicants have had a visa granted, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “More than 150,000 families are offering to welcome refugees into their homes, but the Conservatives are offering only red tape and delays. Their response has been appallingly slow and chaotic, leaving thousands of Ukrainians in limbo trying to get a visa. "Ministers need to work harder and faster to match the compassion shown by the British public. "Ukrainian refugees should be allowed to come to the UK now, without first having to apply for a visa. And the Government should set up a fast, ambitious resettlement scheme, working with refugee agencies to bring Ukrainians directly to the UK.”
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Helen Morgan MP responds to Shropshire maternity scandal report

Helen Morgan MP responds to Shropshire maternity scandal report

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Ockenden Report into the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust maternity scandal, Liberal Democrat North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan commented: “The families involved have suffered unimaginable pain and they have shown enormous bravery in bringing these issues to light. “Women across Shropshire, and the UK as a whole, should have a much safer experience when they welcome their babies into the world. “It’s essential now that the Government listens and learns from this review, and takes ownership for making sure that all of the findings are implemented both locally and nationally. “We owe it to the families involved to ensure that the tragic deaths and harm caused were not in vain.”
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
“Absurd” for Boris Johnson to insist lockdown parties didn’t break the law

“Absurd” for Boris Johnson to insist lockdown parties didn’t break the law

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Boris Johnson is still refusing to accept that the law has been broken over Downing Street parties despite 20 fines being issued by the police, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip and former police officer Wendy Chamberlain said: “It is completely absurd that Boris Johnson still won’t accept that the lockdown parties in Downing Street broke the law. “This stubborn denial flies in the face of the evidence. It shows that Johnson hasn’t learnt any lessons from this scandal and is still taking the British people for fools. “As a former police officer I know what people do to get out of answering questions.These excuses wouldn't cut it then and they won't cut it now with the public.”
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Revealed: 8 Russian nationals on Golden Visas sanctioned by UK Government

Revealed: 8 Russian nationals on Golden Visas sanctioned by UK Government

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government admitting that eight Russian nationals who came to the UK on Golden Visas have been sanctioned, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “For too long the Government has rolled out the red carpet for Putin’s cronies. These people should never have been able to buy their way into the UK with ill-gotten wealth. "We now need to know how many others who were given golden visas owe their wealth to Putin's regime, and why the Government hasn't sanctioned them too. Ministers must stop dragging their feet and finally publish the review into these visas."
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sewage stats: This is a national scandal

Sewage stats: This is a national scandal

Parliamentary news
Responding to new data released this morning showing sewage was dumped into rivers 370,000 times last year, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: "This is a national scandal. "The Government is letting water companies get away with polluting our rivers and poisoning animals for decades to come. Now the public is expected to foot the bill for cleaning up this mess despite water companies raking in multi-billion pound profits. "The whole thing stinks! "Why aren't Government Ministers listening to the public on this? They are ignoring the country's outrage at this scandal. The solution is staring us all in the face. The Government needs to get tough on these water companies to end this disgraceful practice. A Sewage Tax should also be introduced to make water companies…
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01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Scrapping free Covid tests: Govt must come clean on costs

Scrapping free Covid tests: Govt must come clean on costs

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on Ministers to ‘come clean’ over the cost of providing free Covid tests and the basis for scrapping them, in the face of surging cases and hospitalisations. Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, has tabled two written parliamentary questions asking for the total cost of providing free tests - but the Government has refused to answer claiming the information is ‘commercially sensitive’. SAGE member Professor Matt Keeling has urged the Government to halt plans to ditch free rapid testing, saying free tests could even be 'cost saving if they help prevent sufficiently many hospital admissions'. The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to come clean and publish figures on how much is currently being spent on providing free Covid tests,…
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