28Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Economic Crime Bill is long overdue

Economic Crime Bill is long overdue

Parliamentary news
The UK Government's long-overdue introduction of rules to combat the influence of Russian money in the UK are set to be brought forward on Tuesday (28/2/22). The law will pave the way for a ”register of overseas entities”, identifying foreign owners of UK property, among other new rules. Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: "This announcement is long overdue. It shouldn't have taken a war in Ukraine for action to prevent dirty Russian money flooding into our country and corrupting our politics. "These new measures must be fast tracked though parliament and used in full, to crack down on Putin's cronies by seizing and freezing their assets. "The cash collected through this oligarchs tax should then be used to help people cope with their soaring energy bills.…
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28Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ukranian Refugees: Govt plans are ”woefully inadequate”

Ukranian Refugees: Govt plans are ”woefully inadequate”

Parliamentary news
Responding to Boris Johnson's announcement that Ukrainian refugees can come to the UK without a visa if they already have family here, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: "This move falls way short of what is needed and will not help the vast majority of those currently fleeing war in Ukraine. "It is a woefully inadequate response to the terrible human tragedy we are seeing unfold. "Boris Johnson needs to follow the lead of our European neighbours and set up a simple, rapid scheme to resettle Ukrainian refugees in the UK. "Anything less would be a failure of moral leadership and leave thousands at risk." Meanwhile, after Home Office Minister Kevin Foster said that Ukrainians fleeing the war should apply for seasonal worker visas, Carmichael added: “Ukrainians…
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25Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Govt announcement on settlement fees ‘leaves out too many Armed Forces personnel’

Govt announcement on settlement fees ‘leaves out too many Armed Forces personnel’

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson Jamie Stone MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement that settlement fees will be waived for foreign nationals who have served in the UK Armed Forces for at least six years, but says it will still leave many service personnel facing “excessive fees”. The Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for several years for these fees to be waived for members of the Armed Forces and their families. In 2019, Jamie Stone and party leader Ed Davey MP tabled a Private Members’ Bill to force the government to do so, as well as a parliamentary motion that secured wide cross-party support. Jamie Stone MP, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude and respect to all those who serve our country and keep us…
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25Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Davey: Parliament must sit this weekend to pass measures against Putin’s Russia

Davey: Parliament must sit this weekend to pass measures against Putin’s Russia

Parliamentary news
Commenting following Boris Johnson's address to the nation on Ukraine, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “At this dark moment we must renew our commitments of international cooperation and stand with our allies against this horrendous invasion. “For too long we in the West have been complacent about the threat which Putin poses to our allies and to the fundamental values which underpin our way of life. No more. “We must stand with the people of Ukraine and provide them with humanitarian and military aid, while unleashing the severest of sanctions against Putin and his cronies. “The era of Russian interference in this country must come to an end. Much of the legislation needed is ready to go - it must be brought before MPs immediately. Parliament must sit this…
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25Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Absence of Gazprom and Rosneft from sanctions list is “elephant in the room”

Absence of Gazprom and Rosneft from sanctions list is “elephant in the room”

Parliamentary news
Responding to the additional sanctions on Russian companies and individuals announced today by Boris Johnson, Liberal Democrat Leader and former Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: "The absence of Gazprom and Rosneft, part-owned by BP, in today’s sanctions list is the elephant in the room. The UK must do everything we can to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. "Russia’s state-owned oil and gas giants stand to profit from this war and soaring prices. We must start treating Putin’s Russia like the rogue state it is and immediately cut off UK investment in these firms."
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25Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
UK must step up with humanitarian response to stop Putin destabilising Europe

UK must step up with humanitarian response to stop Putin destabilising Europe

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the UK to lead a coordinated humanitarian response to Putin’s war in Ukraine, with safe passage and support for Ukrainian refugees fleeing violence and persecution at the hands of Russian forces. The party’s MPs have written to the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary, urging them to work with humanitarian agencies and Ukraine’s neighbours to provide accommodation and support to the people now fleeing Russian troops, who are now advancing on the capital of Kyiv. It comes in the wake of the news that visa applications from those Ukrainian nationals without close British relatives and who are stuck in the country are suspended, meaning no legal route exists for them to enter the UK and claim asylum. The letter calls for “an ambitious commitment…
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23Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories should hand £2m of Russian donations to support people of Ukraine

Tories should hand £2m of Russian donations to support people of Ukraine

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Conservative Party to donate the estimated £2 million they have received from Russian-linked donors to support the people of Ukraine. The party said the cash could be given to help civil society groups in Ukraine, support independent media in the country and counter Russian disinformation. Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “Boris Johnson should use the almost £2 million of Russian-linked donations received by the Conservative Party to support the people of Ukraine. “This would send a powerful signal to Putin that the Conservatives are serious about no longer allowing themselves to be bankrolled by Russian money. It would also provide vital support to Ukrainians on the ground facing the threat of invasion and a sustained campaign of Russian disinformation.…
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23Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ed Davey on Ukraine: Freeze and seize assets of all Putin’s cronies in UK

Ed Davey on Ukraine: Freeze and seize assets of all Putin’s cronies in UK

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has today called on the government to freeze and begin seizing the assets of Putins’ cronies in the UK, as part of a tough package of measures responding to Russia sending troops into Ukraine. It comes after Boris Johnson announced the government would be sanctioning just three Russian high net-worth individuals, falling way short of the number believed to be allied with Putin and holding assets in the UK. Ed Davey has also backed a boycott of international sporting and cultural events hosted in Russia, starting with moving this year’s Champions League final from St Petersburg. The Liberal Democrats have written to the government asking them to prepare Wembley in the event of the final being moved. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “The government’s…
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23Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
NFU criticism: Conservatives don’t understand our farmers

NFU criticism: Conservatives don’t understand our farmers

Parliamentary news
Responding to the President of the National Farmers' Union Minette Batters criticising the UK Government’s farming policy as "completely contradictory" at their national conference, Liberal Democrat Food & Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: "The comments from the NFU today prove what we already know - the Conservatives don't understand our farmers' needs and they're failing the farming industry. "On one hand they're signing trade deals that are deeply damaging, undermining British food standards and undercutting British farmers, while on the other hand they're cutting the vital support they need by phasing out Basic Payments before the new payments scheme is ready. "Farmers are key allies in the fight against climate change, but the Conservatives risk losing hundreds of farmers who will simply go bust if they continue along…
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22Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Vagrancy Act repealed: Archaic and cruel law consigned to history

Vagrancy Act repealed: Archaic and cruel law consigned to history

Parliamentary news
In reaction to the news that the Vagrancy Act will be repealed, long time campaigner against the Act, Layla Moran MP said: “After years of campaigning I am elated that we consigned this archaic and cruel law to history. No one should be criminalised for sleeping rough, especially by a piece of legislation passed in the Georgian era. “This is testament to the hard work of so many people: the students who first brought the issue to my attention, and to our campaign partners Crisis. “This can transform the way we talk about rough sleeping and homelessness in this country, from criminalisation to compassion. “While we can celebrate today, tomorrow we return to the hard work of holding the government to account on their manifesto commitment to ending rough sleeping…
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