12Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must not jeopardise economic recovery with threat of no-deal

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) statistics out today that show the UK's economy shrank by 20.4% in April, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “We face the most serious economic challenge in generations. This is not a time to exit the world’s largest market. This is not a time to increase trade barriers. This is not a time to deny business skills they need with a damaging new immigration system. “Liberal Democrats will continue to make the case for a Green Recovery Plan and policies that back responsible businesses. “We can create jobs and protect the environment by investing in new, green technologies but we need imaginative new policies and strong political leadership. “The Prime Minister should not be putting Britain’s chances for an economic recovery…
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05Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tariff proposals show Johnson’s willing to break his word on Brexit yet again

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the UK Government is considering accepting tariffs as part of any UK-EU transition deal, Liberal Democrat Brexit and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “This proposal is the latest chapter in a long story of the Brexit reality failing to meet Boris Johnson’s rhetoric. “Johnson told British businesses, including farmers, they’d have tariff free access to the EU market.  “But just as he promised Northern Irish businesses that there would be no checks in the Irish Sea, and consumers that we wouldn’t have chlorinated chickens on our shelves, it seems that this too is an issue he is willing to break his word on.  “The Government risks selling out UK farmers and industry all for their ideological Brexit.”
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14May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government misled businesses over post-Brexit customs checks

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's admission that there will be customs checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea after the Brexit transition period ends, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and Brexit spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “Johnson’s Government has failed to give businesses much needed clarity on this issue. It now seems Johnson was deeply dishonest with businesses when he previously asserted there would be no checks and businesses could put paperwork “in the bin”. "His Brexit deal will mean extra costs and bureaucracy for businesses in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, at a time when many are already struggling with the impact of coronavirus. "Liberal Democrats will continue to call on the Conservative Government to do the right thing and protect UK businesses. As part of this, it is vital the…
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10Feb 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tories facing £12 billion Brexit black hole

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the govt is a facing £12bilion Brexit black hole in three years according to Financial Times analysis of BoE forecasting, Liberal Democrat acting leader Ed Davey said: “Boris Johnson is not fit to run the UK’s economy. “This grim forecast for the nation’s coffers is a warning that his plan to hollow out our vital trading relationships with Europe is nothing short of reckless. “Johnson’s Brexit is taking Britain’s public finances to the brink. He must halt his charge to a No Deal or Hard Brexit and guarantee instead the closest trading relationship possible with the EU. Otherwise there’ll be no money in the future for the NHS, schools and police.”
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29Nov 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader seeks establishment of Greater Manchester Business Forum to encourage trade with Palestine

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to Councillor Sir Richard Leese, Deputy Mayor for the Economy in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Leader of Oldham Council asking them to organise high-level events in Greater Manchester and in Oldham to enable the Palestinian Trade Representative in the UK to meet local business people to discuss British - Palestinian trade. The date is especially auspicious as 29 November is in fact the United Nations Day for International Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Councillor Sykes is backing the ‘1% initiative’ launched by the UK Government and the Palestinian Authority earlier this year. This seeks to promote Palestinian information technology businesses as prospective partners to UK businesses needing their services; it…
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