Following the Chancellor’s statement outlining financial support measures in the face of the coronavirus crisis, Ed Davey, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for the the government to:
- guarantee that anyone who is laid off receives at least 20 days of full pay;
- provide full council tax relief for bands A to E for at least six months, with councils fully compensated for this loss of income;
- turn day one universal credit loans into grants immediately;
- take action to ensure no renter is evicted in the coming months as a result of this crisis;
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “We face an unprecedented threat, and we must utilise every available resource to protect people’s livelihoods and support business at this extraordinary time.
“The level of financial interventions proposed by government may prove commensurate with the gravity of the current crisis, but must be kept under review.
“For now, we urge government to act rapidly to implement the measures outlined by the Chancellor to provide immediate relief to businesses already struggling, and to provide certainty for the coming weeks and months.
“However, the government must urgently provide more detail on measures it will take to support individuals facing hardship.
“Liberal Democrats are calling for government to guarantee that anyone who is laid off receives at least 20 days of full pay, starting now. The government must provide full council tax relief for bands A to E for at least six months, with councils fully compensated for this loss of income. Government must turn day one universal credit loans into grants immediately, and must take action to ensure no renter is evicted in the coming months as a result of this crisis.
“While we do not know what the future holds, we do know that we will be more resilient if we act together, with our local communities, to face this threat. Liberal Democrats will be asking detailed questions to make sure everyone gets the help they need as soon as possible.”