25May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must not abandon “castaway” key workers

Government must not abandon “castaway” key workers

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats have criticised the Government for failing to stick up for a “castaway” group of key workers. In an amendment to the Government’s Finance Bill, the party has demanded a review within six months on supply chain staff, zero-hours workers and those who have worked from home. Delivery drivers and other gig economy workers have been “overworked and undervalued” throughout the pandemic, with the latest insult being the absence of the Employment Bill from the Government’s legislative agenda for the year. The Liberal Democrats want the review to lead to improved working conditions for those in the gig economy and to protect employees working from home. Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Business, Trade and Transport, Sarah Olney said: “So many workers in this pandemic have not stopped, proudly keeping our…
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25May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
ONS borrowing: Small business needs continued support

ONS borrowing: Small business needs continued support

Parliamentary news
Responding to record-breaking public sector net borrowing statistics, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury Christine Jardine said: "These record breaking figures are a warning of potential problems ahead. But they mustn’t be used by the Government as an excuse to cut short essential support while the economy reopens. “Small businesses are concerned about the new Indian variant's potential threat to the final steps of re-opening. This must be taken into account in the next stage of the recovery. "The Government must extend the furlough scheme at least until the end of the year, and unroll an ambitious revenue compensation scheme for small businesses that are still struggling. "We now know the stark reality of the impact of the past year but the pandemic remains a threat to small businesses across…
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24May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Self isolation support “late and lacking”

Self isolation support “late and lacking”

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's trials of self-isolation support, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Munira Wilson said: "These trials are late and lacking. How is it that other countries have had proper self-isolation support nationwide for some time, while we remain lagging behind? "Everyone wants to do their bit and help stop the spread of the virus and its new variants, but when self-isolation support is so sparse and lacking it is understandable that many people find it too difficult to comply. “No one should be forced out of isolation for lack of money or support. That’s why the Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government for months to guarantee people's wages, and if there is little space at home, to be provided with a free hotel room…
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23May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems demand review on Excluded workers

Lib Dems demand review on Excluded workers

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill demanding a review into the impact of the Government's decision to exclude millions of workers from income support. The amendment, up for selection on Monday (24th May), calls on the Government to carry out a review of its income support schemes within three months. It specifies that the review should assess the impact on limited company directors and other categories of self-employed people, who have largely been excluded from financial support. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury, Christine Jardine, said: “It really is time that this Government stopped ignoring the plight of millions of taxpayers who have been excluded from vital financial support in this pandemic. "Taxi drivers, make-up artists, florists and many more have found themselves left out of…
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18May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Unemployment stats: furlough must be maintained until end of year

Unemployment stats: furlough must be maintained until end of year

Parliamentary news
Responding to the latest unemployment figures, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury Christine Jardine MP said: "This is still a sharp reminder that there is a lot of work to be done to repair the damage done by the pandemic. "We must not be lulled into any false sense of security by the furlough scheme, which has protected millions of jobs but is due to end in September. It's possible that then we will see the real impact of the pandemic on jobs. “To support people we need to see the furlough scheme maintained at least until the end of the year, and a Revenue Compensation Scheme that will allow small businesses to retain and hire staff. "Ministers must continue to be aware of the potential threat and treat it…
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14May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
COVID-19 report: Government must fix self-isolation system

COVID-19 report: Government must fix self-isolation system

Parliamentary news
Responding to the release of the ‘Tackling Covid-19: A case for better financial support to self-isolate’ report by the Nuffield Trust and Resolution Foundation, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP commented: “This report clearly shows the need to increase support for those required to self-isolate. If we are to avoid any further lockdowns or restrictions, and the spread of new variants, the Government needs to fix its self-isolation system. “Everyone wants to do their bit, and no one wants to pass the virus on, but when sick pay is so low and few are finding it easy to access Government support, many are finding it almost impossible to self-isolate. People living in over-crowded housing, who do not have the space to self-isolate, and those with caring…
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05May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
High Court judgement banning virtual meetings ‘out of step’ with COVID-19

High Court judgement banning virtual meetings ‘out of step’ with COVID-19

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has expressed his disappointment at the ruling by the High Court last week that councils will have to end virtual meetings after the May 6 local elections. “It seems crazy to expect councillors, staff and the public to sit down together for meetings of up to four hours duration, when Members of Parliament can still virtually attend sessions and when we are still unable to sit indoors for one minute in a restaurant or pub,” stated councillor Sykes. Councillor Sykes is one amongst many councillors of all parties who are concerned that restarting physical meetings so soon whilst there are still restrictions on indoor meetings because of the COVID-19 pandemic is ‘out-of-step’ with the current reality and needlessly endangers public health. After…
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04May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
India: UK must begin parallel vaccine rollout without delay

India: UK must begin parallel vaccine rollout without delay

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have written to the Prime Minister calling for the UK to begin donating vaccines through the COVAX programme immediately. The letter, co-signed by all MPs and spearheaded by Layla Moran, echoes calls the party made to join COVAX as part of a 'parallel rollout' back in February. With the situation in India now worsening, the urgency of the call has intensified. It also highlighted how aid cuts are making the global situation worse and called for a number of other proactive measures such as safely accelerating approval processes in regulatory bodies. In the letter, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and International Development, Layla Moran MP said : "The UK must do its part and provide as many vaccines as possible to countries that do not have…
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03May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Sykes calls for on-site COVID-19 testing at more local pharmacies

Sykes calls for on-site COVID-19 testing at more local pharmacies

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, has written to Oldham’s Director of Public Health requesting more work be done on signing up pharmacies in Shaw, Crompton, Saddleworth and East Oldham to carry out on-site testing for COVID-19. Although the government is responsible for commissioning the tests, Councillor Sykes hopes that Director Katrina Stephens can help apply pressure in the right places to roll out the provision in areas of the borough that are not currently served. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “Although it is possible to pick up a home testing kit at four pharmacies and from the Crompton Library in my own Shaw Ward, many of my constituents have told me that they would prefer to be able to…
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29Apr 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must provide clarity on plans for divisive Covid ID cards

Government must provide clarity on plans for divisive Covid ID cards

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government’s statement today on Covid ID cards, Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said: “Covid ID cards are intrusive and divisive. They are not an effective way to reopen our economy or keep people safe. They would turn our country into a two-tier society, with many denied their most basic freedoms. Ministers must provide clarity on their use, especially for the pubs and restaurants on the brink that don't want them. “It is extremely worrying that the Government is still forging ahead with plans for Covid ID cards for international travel without any scrutiny. This is the thin end of the wedge. The Government cannot avoid MPs and the voices of the British people by making this announcement on the last day of Parliament. “The Liberal Democrats demand…
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