EU – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

16Feb 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Businesses loud and clear on failed EU trade deal

Responding to research by the British Chambers of Commerce which shows that firms are unhappy with the EU trade deal and the difficulties it has imposed upon trade, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “Businesses are saying loud and clear that Boris Johnson’s trade deal with the EU is simply not good enough, but the Government isn’t even listening. “Claims from the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg about Brexit opportunities ring hollow for businesses being drowned in paperwork and delays at our borders. “This failed trade deal is even making the cost of living crisis worse, as many businesses have no choice but to raise their prices. According to the latest figures from the ONS, trade with the EU fell by £20bn last year – that's a 12% decline on…

09Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must fix ‘gaping hole’ in EU trade deal

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have called for the UK Government to take swift action to support the UK creative industry, which is being hard hit by the current EU trading arrangements. During the post-Brexit negotiations, European officials offered the UK a tailored package to support the creative industries. This would’ve seen some elements of temporary Freedom of Movement retained for the UK and EU performers and companies. However the UK Government rejected these plans, and this has had a huge impact on the ability of UK performers, artists and performers to tour Europe and greatly reduced the opportunities available to new, aspiring talent. Today in the House of Lords Liberal Democrat peer Lord Paul Strasburger, who is campaigning on this issue with Sir Elton John, pushed the Government on what they…

02Jul 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

More than 500,000 EU citizens still waiting for Settled Status

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to guarantee that no EU citizen without Settled Status will fall victim to the Hostile Environment, as new figures show that more than half a million people were still waiting for a decision on their application when the deadline hit on Wednesday. The statistics, published today by the Home Office, show that, as of 30th June, 6,015,400 people had applied to the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme, but only 5,446,300 cases had been concluded – meaning there are 569,100 people still waiting for a decision. The backlog grew by 70% in June alone, as more than 400,000 people applied in the last month before the deadline, while the Home Office only handed out 175,000 decisions. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs…

12May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

GDP stats: No sugar coating economic damage of Covid and EU trade deal

Parliamentary news

Responding to estimate figures released this morning showing that the UK's GDP contracted by 1.5% in Q1 2021, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "There is no way of sugar coating the clear damage to the economy that these figures demonstrate. "The combination of Covid and the difficulty businesses face in dealing with the new EU trade deal have created a perfect storm for the economy. "This demonstrates again the need for the extension and reform of business support to avoid a damaging cliff edge in September. It's not good enough for the Chancellor to claim he has built business confidence - we need to see real actions, such as the extension of the Furlough scheme and a NICs cut for small businesses."

30Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Use of Article 16 wrong and short-sighted

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports that the EU is set to impose restrictions on vaccine exports and invoke Article 16, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “The effectiveness of the COVID vaccine depends on countries working together. “The use of Article 16 to restrict the supply of vaccines is both wrong and short-sighted. I urge all sides to work together to find a resolution as soon as possible. “Liberal Democrats believe that global problems can only be solved by countries working together. Calm heads must prevail now and right the way through to the end of this crisis both at home and abroad."

25Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

EU ambassador must be granted full diplomatic status

Parliamentary news

Responding to FCO Minister Lord Armad's answer to Baroness Ludford's urgent question on the diplomatic status of the EU's ambassador, senior Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Ludford said: “This is not some arcane spat about a dusty diplomatic convention. It is about whether the Prime Minister and his government are prepared to treat the new EU partnership with the seriousness it deserves, or whether they are pandering to the right-wingers in their party before the interests of the UK. "Up and down the country, businesses and individuals are drowning under the weight and expense of red tape that Mr Johnson’s botched Brexit deal has dumped on them. To get any flexibility or easing of that burden will require cooperation with the EU. Signalling to Brussels that their man in London is…

18Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems urge PM to secure Adjustment Period with EU to give businesses breathing space

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are calling on PM to seek an "Adjustment Period" for businesses to transition to new UK-EU trade arrangements The Liberal Democrats are urging the Prime Minister to negotiate an “Adjustment Period” as part of the deal with the EU, to ensure British businesses have enough time to prepare for the new trading relationship with Europe. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Liberal Democrats warn of a potentially "existential" threat to businesses if they are not given time to adjust and argue that - by phasing-in new rules, regulations and procedures - businesses would have the "breathing space" they need to prepare and adapt. Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Businesses cannot afford to be hit with the double whammy of Covid and disrupted…

16Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tories’ reckless brinkmanship on UK-EU trade risks livelihoods

Parliamentary news

Responding to George Eustice's comments on Sophy Ridge on Sunday, suggesting that next week is “a week when things need to move” for the UK and EU to agree to a trade deal, Liberal Democrat Brexit and Trade spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Up and down the country people are watching and waiting for the Conservatives to deliver the UK-EU trade deal that they have promised, and that we desperately need. The urgency of this situation could not be clearer. "Yet, with just weeks until the end of the transition period, the Tories' reckless brinkmanship continues to put people's livelihoods and vital supply chains at risk. Our economy is already in crisis due to Covid-19. We need absolute reassurance that Ministers will not take our economy over a new cliff edge.…

09Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must grant EU citizens proof of settled status

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to grant EU citizens the automatic right to stay in the UK, with the physical proof they need, as new Home Office figures reveal thousands are being refused and 1.8 million have not been granted the right to stay permanently. The latest EU Settlement Scheme statistics, which were published this morning, revealed 16,600 people have been refused Settled Status – including 5,700 in September alone. They also revealed that 1.6 million have only been granted temporary ‘Pre-Settled Status’ and 180,000 are still waiting for a decision. On Monday, the House of Lords passed a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Government’s Immigration Bill which would require the Government to provide EU citizens with physical proof of their Settled Status. The party is urging…

01Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM mistaken in thinking he can break the law without consequence

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports that the European Commission has launched legal action against the UK, following the UK Government's refusal to remove sections from the Internal Market Bill, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Contrary to the belief of senior Government figures and their families, breaking the law has consequences. It beggars belief that Boris Johnson and his Government seem to think that not only are they above the law, but they can get off scot-free when breaking it. “How can Ministers seriously condemn other countries, like Russia and China, for failing to respect international treaties if they don’t do the same when it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement? “No one should be surprised that the UK will face legal action if Boris Johnson pushes ahead with the Internal Market Bill.…