02Dec 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Davey: Child Trust Fund reforms do not go far enough

Davey: Child Trust Fund reforms do not go far enough

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's announcement that Child Trust Fund court fees will be waived for parents, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “Thousands of young disabled people are finding themselves locked out of their own Child Trust Funds when they turn 18. It’s good that the Government has finally recognised this problem, but waiving the court fee falls far, far short of an acceptable solution. “It will do nothing to alleviate the stress, hassle and bureaucracy involved in the current process. Ministers are displaying an appalling lack of understanding or empathy for the enormous challenges the carers face every day. “The Government must urgently implement a proper solution to this problem, that allows carers to access Child Trust Funds on behalf of disabled young people who lack the mental capacity…
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26Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must raise Carer’s Allowance to support “unseen and undervalued” carers

Government must raise Carer’s Allowance to support “unseen and undervalued” carers

Parliamentary news
Responding to the new report from Carers UK, ‘Unseen and undervalued’, which is published today (26th November) and puts the value of care provided by unpaid carers during the Covid-19 pandemic at £530 million a day, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Unpaid carers are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances. They deserve our support, but as this report from Carers UK shows, carers are unseen and undervalued by this Conservative Government. “Many carers are facing extreme financial hardship during this pandemic. They have been struggling for months, often relying on foodbanks to feed themselves and the people they care for. “That’s why Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to support unpaid carers by immediately raising Carer’s Allowance by £1,000 a year. Liberal…
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26Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Fighting to give carers a voice

Campaigns
The Liberal Democrats are asking people across our community who care for relatives to get in touch and share their story – to mark national Carers Rights Day this Thursday 26th November. Liberal Democrat party leader Ed Davey has said he wants the party wants to be a "strong voice" for the millions across the country – including 22,004 people in the Oldham area who care for those who need it. Ed himself knows the burden put on carers for family members - having been a carer for his mum when growing up and now caring for his disabled son. Carers can get in touch and share their experiences at www.libdems.org.uk/carerssurvey Local Liberal Democrat campaigner, Mark Kenyon said: "Millions of people across the country act as unpaid carers for loved…
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29Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must make mental health support available to health and care workers

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Labour have announced a "Care for Carers" plan, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Over the past months the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to ramp up mental health support for health and care staff. It is very welcome that Labour have today begun campaigning for Government to introduce crucial projects we have also called for, including 24 hour access to mental health support for health and care staff through a dedicated helpline. “It is so important that opposition parties work together to make sure the Conservatives do more to support our health and care workers during this crisis and beyond. The Government must now listen to the proposals from the Liberal Democrats and Labour, so that health and care workers can get…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

New flexible employment rights for carers in new Bill proposed by Ed Davey

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Acting Leader, Ed Davey, will today introduce a Bill in the House of Commons to give carers more rights to flexible working, helping them balance employment with caring responsibilities. The Equality Act 2010 currently requires employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for people with disabilities to help them work, which can include physical adjustments as well as adjustments like a more flexible approach to working. Ed Davey’s Bill today would extend that requirement to include carers who are looking after disabled people.  Under Ed Davey’s Bill, carers would be in a stronger position to ask for flexible working, allowing them to better balance their caring responsibilities with their job. A survey by the Disability Law Service found that 52% of carers who had made requests for flexible working had them rejected. Acting Leader of the Liberal…
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