28Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government putting sanctions ahead of people

Government putting sanctions ahead of people

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's 'Way to Work' campaign Liberal Democrat Work & Pensions Spokesperson, Wendy Chamberlain MP said: “Rather than supporting people to find secure long-term employment, the Government is now attempting to force people into accepting any job going. “This callous move could see skilled workers forced to accept insecure short term employment, for fear of having the rug pulled out from under them, and create a cycle of unemployment. “What is worse, these harsh sanctions could be applied within weeks of applying for Universal Credit - before people’s first payment even arrives. “We are in the middle of a cost of living crisis, with energy bills soaring and reliance on food banks rising. If the Government can write off billions in Covid fraud, they can afford to genuinely…
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19Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Benefits not keeping pace with the cost of living crisis

Benefits not keeping pace with the cost of living crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that the Government has confirmed they will up-rate all benefits by just 3.1% rather than using April's expected 6% rate, Liberal Democrat Welfare and Pensions Spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain MP said: “In the face of spiralling energy bills, the Conservatives are leaving some of the most vulnerable worse off. In the same breath, they are outrageously writing off billions in stolen Covid payments and crooked PPE contracts. “This callous Government is happy to let their mates off the hook while taking money out of peoples’ pockets while the country is struggling with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. “Ministers must immediately reverse this decision and bring forward a rise in benefits in line with April’s inflation figure - expected to reach 6%.”
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18Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Universal Credit must be extended to carers

Universal Credit must be extended to carers

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the increase in Universal Credit to be extended to anyone caring for a friend, family member or neighbour who cannot cope without their support. On Monday, MPs in Parliament will vote on a motion to scrap the planned £1000 cut in Universal Credit. Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain MP is pushing for an amendment which would see unpaid carers as well as others who rely on ‘legacy’ benefits to be awarded the increase too. Over 900,000 people across the country rely on carers allowance of less than £70 a week, the lowest paid benefit of its kind. Many struggle to make ends meet, often relying on foodbanks for themselves as well as those they care for. Liberal Democrats have led the…
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29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Time to campaign for Universal Basic Income has come, Lib Dems declare

Time to campaign for Universal Basic Income has come, Lib Dems declare

Parliamentary news
To bring an end to the financial insecurity faced by the most vulnerable, the Liberal Democrats have agreed plans to campaign for a Universal Basic Income. The Party’s new Economy spokesperson Christine Jardine challenged her Party to “fulfill Beveridge’s legacy” by tackling the injustice of too many people being “caught between low-paid work and a punitive benefits system.” In demanding reform, the Liberal Democrats have pointed to the estimated 8.5 million adults and 4.5 million children living in poverty in the UK, as well as the people that society relies on but aren’t adequately supported, such as unpaid carers - the majority of whom are women. Under plans to be worked on by the Liberal Democrat Federal Policy Committee, the very richest in society will pay more into the system…
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21Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
“Shameful” that bereaved families of NHS and care workers risk losing access to welfare benefits

“Shameful” that bereaved families of NHS and care workers risk losing access to welfare benefits

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have warned it is "shameful" that bereaved families of NHS and care workers who die of coronavirus risk losing access to welfare benefits if they receive payments under the government's Covid-19 compensation scheme and called on Ministers to "scrap this senseless rule immediately." The Government has confirmed that families who receive the £60,000 payout under the scheme will no longer be able to claim for universal credit, housing benefit or pension credit, as they would be in breach of capital limits. Layla Moran led the cross-party campaign calling for the introduction of the Covid-19 compensation scheme for families of NHS and care workers who lose their lives to coronavirus. Figures she uncovered in July revealed only 19 families had benefited so far from the scheme, despite there…
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19May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not be allowed to forget unacceptable five week wait for UC

Parliamentary news
Responding to ONS statistics out today which reveal a rise in unemployment and a six fold increase in the number of people claiming unemployment benefit, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Coronavirus crisis is leaving the most vulnerable at risk. Thousands of families face financial hardship and people are rightly worried.  “The furlough scheme has rightly helped protect jobs but there are still millions of people that need help. That’s why Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to prevent further redundancies by extending income support for self-employed workers. “Ministers must also not be allowed to forget the unacceptable five week wait for universal credit support. The Government must end this wait by raising benefit rates, abolishing sanctions and turning day-one Universal Credit loans into grants.”
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