05Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories have betrayed their promise to protect British farmers

Tories have betrayed their promise to protect British farmers

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have condemned the Conservatives’ “reckless” attitude to animal welfare and food standards, following votes on the Agriculture Bill in the House of Commons. Conservative MPs voted down Amendment 16B, added to the Bill in the House of Lords, which would have forced the UK Government to ensure that British food and animal welfare standards are maintained in any trade deals. The Liberal Democrats argue that the Government’s actions risk seeing the UK flooded with poor quality food if Ministers "slash standards in a bid to secure new trade deals." According to the NFU, over a million people have also signed their petition calling for the UK Government to put laws in place that prevent imports of food that is produced in ways that are illegal here in…
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04Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Conservative Government still won’t commit to disbar sex offenders from public office

Conservative Government still won’t commit to disbar sex offenders from public office

Borough news, CSE, Parliamentary news
Two years after the Conservative Government promised to disbar sex offenders from public office, the government has still not introduced the necessary legislation and in a recent response to a question from a Liberal Democrat peer in Parliament they have given no promise to do so soon. Baroness Kath Pinnock has recently asked a question in Parliament on behalf of Oldham Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE. Councillor Sykes backed a motion at Oldham Council with the-then Leader of the Council, Councillor Jean Stretton, calling on the Government to introduce legislation to prevent anyone required to sign the Sex Offences Act from standing or remaining in public office in March 2017. In October 2018 Local Government Minister Rishi Sunak MP promised to introduce the necessary legislation but, after…
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01Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM must properly plan ahead to protect jobs and lives, warns Davey

PM must properly plan ahead to protect jobs and lives, warns Davey

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's announcement that England will go into a second national lockdown until 2 December, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Yet again, Boris Johnson dithered, delayed, and ignored expert advice. He was too slow in March and too slow again now, and his failure to lead has cost lives and jobs. "People across our country have sacrificed so much, waiting for Ministers to act and keep our families safe. Instead, the Government asks even more despite failing to deliver an effective test, trace and isolate system. "The priority must be keeping people safe and ensuring no one is left behind. We need a real plan in place to protect jobs, businesses and the self-employed, not least an immediate u-turn on ending furlough. Unlike before,…
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29Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must fix failing test and trace system

Government must fix failing test and trace system

Parliamentary news
Responding to statistics released today showing that four in ten close contacts of people who tested positive for coronavirus in England are still not being reached by the Test and Trace system, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “These figures today show that tracing is still woefully inadequate, despite repeated calls for the Government to fix the failing test and trace system. The test, trace and isolate system is essential to not only slow the spread of coronavirus, but for people to have any hope of ever getting out of the Government’s restrictions. "It is long overdue that Matt Hancock comes to Parliament to explain what this Government will do to overhaul their shambolic test, trace and isolate system – and answer to why they have failed to do…
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23Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Local Serco testing failures let down residents

Local Serco testing failures let down residents

Borough news
The latest failure by Serco to provide coronavirus testing facilities in Lees are letting down local residents, and just one of the failings of the testing system nationally, says local Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani. At 10.10 on Monday morning, an email to local councillors informed them that there would be testing facilities available on Monday and Tuesday this week, at the Co-op in Lees. By 11am, after a complaint about traffic, Serco had closed the site, before they later informed the Council that there was an issue. Neither the local councillors, nor highways, were informed of the problem until later that week. Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, having noticed the absence of the team on Tuesday, asked for an explanation, after receiving no updates from the Council or Serco themselves. Councillor…
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22Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Economic support plans made “on the hoof” are failing millions

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have accused the Chancellor of "making up plans on the hoof" when it comes to financial support for businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19. Responding to the Chancellor's statement in the House of Commons today, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Yet again the Chancellor is taken by surprise by events unfolding exactly as predicted months ago. He has utterly failed to address the gravity of the economic crisis, with people and businesses facing devastating pressure across the country. “Beyond tinkering around the edges of the Job Support Scheme and correcting some of its blatant errors, he has offered nothing for those slipping into poverty. 67% of salary is just not enough for people to get by on. The Chancellor is making up plans on the…
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22Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tracing failures shows Hancock needs to overhaul test and trace

Parliamentary news
Responding to figures released showing that the Test and Trace system has had its lowest weekly figure since the scheme began, with less than 60% of people in England reached in the week ending 14 October, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “We already knew that national contact tracing is an utter disaster – but it has now reached rock bottom. The figures released today show the test and trace system has had the lowest weekly figure of contacts traced since the scheme began back in March, not to mention the fact they're being forced to draft in untrained staff to cope with the level of rising cases. "How can the Health Secretary allow this to happen on his watch? The test, trace and isolate system…
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21Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government faces first defeat in the Lords over Internal Market Bill

Government faces first defeat in the Lords over Internal Market Bill

Parliamentary news
Responding to the vote on Lord Judge's motion to the Internal Market Bill in the House of Lords, with the Government being defeated by 395 votes to 169 votes, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords Dick Newby said: “For a long time now we have known that Boris Johnson and his Ministers have little regard for the rule of law, but this Bill goes far beyond what any Prime Minister should even contemplate – let alone pursue. "How can this Government seriously expect to condemn other countries, like Russia and China, for failing to respect international law if they plan to flout it themselves when it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement? "However, there is still time to ditch the Bill and prevent it from becoming law.…
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19Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government inaction failing survivors of sexual violence

Government inaction failing survivors of sexual violence

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Victims Commissioner’s report on rape survivors and the criminal justice system, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “Survivors deserve justice. They must be properly supported to come forward and be listened to when they do. “However, as this report shows, far too many survivors are put off reporting the crime for fear of being disbelieved, and far too many who do come forward find the whole process traumatic. Government inaction is failing survivors of sexual violence and allowing too many criminals to walk free. “It is incomprehensible that the Government’s review of rape cases is doing so little to engage with survivors – especially given the clear evidence that the system simply isn’t working for them. “Ministers must listen to survivors, complete the review as soon…
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17Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM must bring back a deal that protects jobs and livelihoods

PM must bring back a deal that protects jobs and livelihoods

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news the government has ended talks with the EU, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Last December the Prime Minister told voters he had an oven ready deal with the EU. Just ten months later he tells us he has finished the talks without a deal.  “We are now on the cusp of a bad trade deal or no trade deal - either of which will hit jobs and businesses hard, just when Britain is already suffering from the biggest economic crisis for three hundred years.  “The Prime Minister must get back around the table and bring back a deal that protects jobs and livelihoods, already hit by the coronavirus crisis. To do otherwise would be a dereliction of his duty as Prime Minister.
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