News – Page 140 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt must act to strengthen NHS Test and Trace ahead of new school year

Responding to news that scientists have warned that current testing and contact tracing is inadequate to prevent a second wave of coronavirus when schools in the UK reopen, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “After months being cooped up at home, millions of children are looking forward to getting back to school in September, but safety must remain the top priority. "In the absence of a vaccine, a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is the only way to keep people safe as we reopen schools. The Government must do everything in its power to strengthen that system if we are to have any hope of a safe start to the new school year. "Equally, the Government need to be honest about the very real risk that, if they…

07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems back calls for Magnitsky-style sanctions against Hong Kong human rights abusers

Parliamentary news

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Hong Kong has published the findings of its inquiry into violations of human rights and humanitarian principles by the Hong Kong Police Force, including a series of recommendations. Following the publication of the report Alistair Carmichael, Chair of the APPG for Hong Kong and Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said: “The APPG's first inquiry into the situation in Hong Kong has vital findings that the Government must sit up and listen to. "Among other things, implementing Magnitsky-style sanctions against those who have committed human rights violations in the territory must be an absolute priority. "The Government have kicked the can down the road long enough on this. If they are serious about promoting human rights abroad and about our legal duty to the people of Hong Kong then…

07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Ministers are playing fast and loose with safety of NHS staff

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports that fifty million face masks bought by the Government will now not be used by NHS and care staff because of safety concerns, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "The news that fifty million masks are not safe for our NHS and care staff to use is yet another staggering error made by this Government. Not only does it mean millions of pounds of taxpayers money being thrown down the drain, but it shows just how Ministers are playing fast and loose when it comes to keeping our NHS staff safe. "The Government's procurement of personal protective equipment has been shocking from the very beginning of the pandemic. It should not need to be said that Ministers should prioritise protecting the staff…

07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ending furlough risks “pulling the rug” from countless households

Parliamentary news

Responding to the latest economic forecasts from the Bank of England, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The UK is facing the greatest economic crisis in a century. Its grave impact on peoples’ livelihoods can’t be underestimated, nor can Government afford to show any degree of complacency. “Despite warnings of mass unemployment, the Chancellor is pressing ahead to end the furlough scheme, pulling the rug out from under countless households. He must change course before it’s too late, and ensure that support continues for the worst-hit sectors and areas still in lockdown. “Liberal Democrats have been clear from the start that only a serious job-creation drive will end this crisis. That’s why we are calling for a Green Recovery Plan that will create millions of jobs whilst…

07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Jenrick’s planning reform won’t solve housing crisis

Parliamentary news

Responding to Robert Jenrick's comments today about the Government's reforms to the planning system, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government Tim Farron said: “Robert Jenrick’s comments this morning have done nothing to persuade anyone that these planning reforms will alleviate the problems behind the UK's housing crisis. It is not the lack of planning permission that stops houses being built, but Conservative Minsters' refusal to invest in social housing. "Across the the UK thousands of families are stuck on housing waiting lists – but with councils approving nine out of ten planning applications, it is obvious to everyone that reforming planning laws will not help those stuck on waiting lists or those struggling to afford to buy a home. "Rather than tinkering with planning laws, what Robert…

07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Failure to sack Cummings shows PM’s “weakness and incompetence”

Parliamentary news

Responding to a new report from University College London showing that public confidence in the UK Government's ability to handle the coronavirus pandemic dropped sharply following news about the travel movements of the Prime Minister's Chief Adviser Dominic Cummings, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Millions of people across the UK have made heart-breaking sacrifices to comply with the lockdown and help keep others safe from coronavirus. They were rightly outraged when Boris Johnson’s Chief Adviser thought it was one rule for him and another rule for the rest of us, and it’s not surprising people have since lost trust in this Government. “It’s insulting that Dominic Cummings still hasn’t apologised, and that Boris Johnson hasn’t sacked him. The Prime Minister has chosen saving his adviser over…

07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Blocking pupil grade appeals could deny opportunities “for years to come”

Parliamentary news

Responding to news that schools, but not individual pupils, will be able to challenge the GCSE and A Level grades awarded, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “This completely fails to get to grips with the issue. If individual pupils are not able to challenge grades which are an unfair reflection of their ability, it could seriously impact their education and employment opportunities for years to come. "It is absolutely unacceptable for any student to be unfairly penalised because of their family’s income or any other factor. "The Secretary of State needs to urgently put in place resources to ensure every child has the chance to appeal their grades and resit assessments when it is safe to do so.”

03Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Johnson must do more to protect livelihoods in the north

Parliamentary news

Commenting after a call between the Prime Minister and opposition party leaders, acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “As millions of people in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire are facing a tightening up of restrictions there is a real concern for what this will mean for jobs and businesses. “If Boris Johnson thinks that he can make these huge changes to people’s lives and it will not hurt local businesses, like shops and restaurants, he is in utter denial. “These restrictions are a sign that the crisis is not behind us, the economy is still very vulnerable and furlough must remain open to businesses that need it in areas with either new stricter restrictions or with local lockdown. “If they do not tens of thousands…

03Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: Financial support crucial in light of further lockdown

Parliamentary news

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Government’s communications over the past few days have been woefully incompetent to say the least. Individuals have no idea of the rules, let alone the reasoning behind some of them. “Of course the Government need to move quickly to stop the spread of coronavirus, but this does not excuse their shambolic approach. Without clear messaging, people will not be able to follow the rules properly. “Going forward, it is clear businesses and individuals will need further financial support from the Government. By not only ending the furlough scheme, but the financial support for all those shielding, millions of people are faced with risking their health in returning to work when it isn’t safe or not being able to put food…

03Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must legalise humanist marriages without further delay

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have called for the Government to introduce legal recognition of humanist marriages without further delay, after the High Court ruled today that the current law causes discrimination. Responding to the judgment, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Couples should have the right to get married the way they choose. Legalising humanist marriages is a simple but important change, and the Government must do it now, without further delay. “It’s hard to understand why the Government has chosen to waste taxpayers’ money fighting in the courts to keep this discriminatory ban in place. The Conservatives have got their priorities badly wrong yet again. "The Liberal Democrats are proud of our record championing equal rights for all people. That is why we have long called for legal recognition…