18Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dem Peers win vote to protect tenants and leaseholders from “outrageous” fire safety costs

Lib Dem Peers win vote to protect tenants and leaseholders from “outrageous” fire safety costs

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat peers have defeated the Government to secure two changes to the Government's Fire Safety Bill, which was introduced in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy. If these changes are accepted by the Government, the amendments would:Introduce a public register for fire safety, similar to the EPC register, for prospective and current renters, leaseholders and owners (Amendment 10)Prevent freeholders passing on any remediation costs to leaseholders and tenants. (Amendment 13). The amendments, put forward by Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson in the Lords Kath Pinnock, passed by 17 votes (Amendment 10) and 13 votes (Amendment 13) respectively. Following the votes, Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson in the House of Lords Kath Pinnock said: “Currently freeholders are passing on the remediation costs needed following the Grenfell tragedy, leaving many with…
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18Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Report suggesting contract favours for those with “direct line to Ministers” demands inquiry

Report suggesting contract favours for those with “direct line to Ministers” demands inquiry

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have demanded a timetable for an inquiry into the Government's handling of the pandemic following the publication of an NAO report which revealed that Ministers agreed £18bn worth of supplies and services which bypassed usual standards for procurement. Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “It is utterly galling the Government has sidestepped accountability and transparency rules. In no world is it fair that bids with a direct line to Ministers were ten times more successful. “The Tories have left themselves wide open to serious and legitimate allegations that they have chosen to line the pockets of friends and donors. “The British people deserve clear, honest answers. Now more than ever we need a timetable for the inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic.”
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18Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government plan for Green Industrial Revolution won’t “undo the damage” of last five years

Government plan for Green Industrial Revolution won’t “undo the damage” of last five years

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's "Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution", Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “This plan fails to undo the damage the Conservatives have done to the UK's progress on climate change over the past five years. It pledges to continue selling fossil fuel powered hybrid cars past 2030 and promises to extend the Green Homes Grant by just one year. “We need a long term plan, backed by meaningful funding, to tackle the climate climate emergency and kickstart a green recovery from Covid-19, alongside a new Department of Climate Change to coordinate this plan and a significant devolution of powers across the UK, not more piecemeal pledges. “Liberal Democrats are calling for £150 billion in funding for a Green Economic Recovery, with investment across every…
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16Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories’ reckless brinkmanship on UK-EU trade risks livelihoods

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.…
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13Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Economic recovery requires “comprehensive” strategy not more “last minute” Government plans

Parliamentary news
Responding to the latest figures showing that UK GDP grew by 15.5% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020, but that GDP is still 9.7% below where it was at the end of 2019, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The growth in the last quarter is testament to the hard work of people in all sectors after the first lockdown. But our economy still has a mountain to climb and hasn't been helped by the Government's mistakes in the first wave of coronavirus. “With a new lockdown in place in England and strict restrictions in other parts of the UK, people are increasingly worried about their jobs and livelihoods. The support the Government has given to date has simply not been adequate. "To ensure recovery we need a…
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13Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call for robust action in face of China’s latest breach of Joint Declaration

Lib Dems call for robust action in face of China’s latest breach of Joint Declaration

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran has today challenged Ministers to "stop stalling" and act to hold China to account for putting democracy in Hong Kong in “mortal peril”. In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran, who is also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, called on the Government to commit to “decisive action”. Despite the Chinese Government making what Ms Moran described as a “mockery of the Joint Declaration”, the Foreign Office Minister Nigel Adams merely confirmed that Magnitsky sanctions were still “under consideration.” The Party is calling on the Government to work with international allies to take legal action against China’s latest breach of the Joint Declaration, as well as calling for a lifeboat system to…
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12Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Four nations must “move swiftly” to help families plan for Christmas

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the four Governments of the UK are meeting today to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “With people across the United Kingdom desperate to be home safely with family this festive season, I am glad all four governments have listened to Liberal Democrat calls to work together. "With time ticking away, we need Ministers to move swiftly. That means an agreement on comprehensive, uniform guidance for travel and family gatherings. It will also require Ministers to get a grip of the failing test, trace and isolate system, not least with mass testing. "Liberal Democrats are ready to play our part to help those talks progress quickly. A clear indication now of when measures are…
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11Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Raab must condemn “reprehensible” disqualification of elected lawmakers in Hong Kong

Raab must condemn “reprehensible” disqualification of elected lawmakers in Hong Kong

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that four opposition pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong have been disqualified with immediate effect, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said: “The disqualification of elected lawmakers in Hong Kong is reprehensible and marks another step in China’s work to end democracy and freedom on the peninsula. “The UK must immediately condemn this in the strongest possible terms. ‘One country, two systems’ is disappearing before our eyes. First the new national security law, now the unwinding of democracy - at what point will Dominic Raab step up? “Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to provide safe passage and a clear route to citizenship for all Hong Kongers, and to implement Magnitsky-style sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights abuses there.”
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10Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Unemployment rise sits squarely with the Chancellor

Unemployment rise sits squarely with the Chancellor

Parliamentary news
Responding to the reports that the UK's unemployment rate has risen again, to 4.8% in the three months to September, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “These figures show clearly the scale of the hardship coronavirus is causing. The responsibility for that sits squarely with the Chancellor and his chop-and-change approach to job support, and refusal to recognise the needs of the excluded. "Liberal Democrats had warned the Chancellor that this would be the consequence of his actions. He must now commit to a long-term plan that will save as many jobs as possible, including keeping the furlough scheme in place until June 2021, and he must urgently extend support to the three million taxpayers that have been excluded since the start of the crisis."
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10Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Williamson must follow Welsh Government and cancel 2021 exams

Williamson must follow Welsh Government and cancel 2021 exams

Parliamentary news
Responding to the reports that Liberal Democrat Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams has announced that they are cancelling GCSE, AS and A-level exams in 2021, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “The ongoing disruption of coronavirus on education means it is now impossible to guarantee a level playing field for students in exams. Many teachers are also saying it is now impossible to teach the content needed for next summer's exams. “The Liberal Democrats have been clear that rather leaving pupils under a cloud of uncertainty and making yet more last minute decisions, the Government must cancel GCSE and A-level exams in summer 2021 and make necessary adjustments to assessing BTECs. “In cancelling next year's exams, Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams is giving schools the certainty they need, whilst…
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