coronavirus – Page 13 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

23Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Unemployment: Vital furlough scheme must be extended

Responding to new ONS labour market figures showing that the UK's unemployment rate is 5%, Liberal Democrats Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: "This is a another set of challenging figures to mark the first anniversary of lockdown. "In a year when so many have already lost so much, it is clear that Covid-19 still poses a threat to our health and economy, with millions unable to return to work and countless small businesses unable to operate. "Today's figures emphasise just how important it is to maintain the furlough scheme as the economy reopens. Five million jobs currently supported could have been lost if the Chancellor hadn't been persuaded to extend it. "Now he has to show he's learnt that lesson and immediately extend furlough at least until the end…

22Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

New research shows “shocking” impact of COVID-19

Parliamentary news

Reacting to new research from the Health Foundation that found 1.5 million potential years of life have been lost to COVID-19 in the UK, with each life being cut short by 10 years on average, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Munira Wilson MP said: “There are no words to describe the pain the country has experienced over the last year and these shocking findings are yet more evidence of the Government’s failure to tackle this virus. “On the anniversary of the first lockdown in the UK it is clear that the Government has learnt few lessons in this last year. They continue to preside over an expensive and ineffective Test and Trace programme, a quarantine system full of holes and a self-isolation system that penalises the low…

17Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

NAO report: Williamson has failed a generation

Parliamentary news

A new NAO report has found the Department for Education’s response to the pandemic could have been done better and more quickly. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP, has said it is “beyond comprehension” Gavin Williamson remains in post. The report finds the Department for Education had no plans in place to manage mass disruption to schooling. The report states that it was not until the end of June - over three months after schools closures were announced in the UK - that it began to formulate a plan that set out objectives, milestones and risks. Responding to the findings, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education said: “This report confirms what parents and teachers have known for a year: that a whole generation of children and young…

10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

MP calls on Govt to address maternal mental health

Parliamentary news

Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has today held a Westminster Hall debate on the mental health of mothers during the perinatal period, with a specific focus on the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated systemic problems for vulnerable women. She commented: “The sheer volume of responses we’ve had in just a matter of days signals just how significant an issue this is, and how critical it is we act quickly. “Even before the pandemic took hold of public resources, this was a service that was chronically underfunded and understaffed. It’s clear we need better mental health support for all ages and at all stages. We also need better training throughout our health service to identify and support those who are struggling. This must be a…

10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Nurses Pay: Lib Dems at PMQs call out pitiful 1% pay rise

Parliamentary news

Daisy Cooper MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called on the Prime Minister to reconsider the real terms pay cut for NHS workers at Prime Minister's Questions. Daisy Cooper MP said: "The Government is throwing a staggering £37 billion at a Test & Trace system that we know has made barely any difference but yet it says that it cannot afford to give more than a pitiful 1% pay rise to NHS workers. "The Prime Minister has said that he owes his life to them, he stood on the steps of No 10 and applauded them. So will the Prime Minister do more than pay lip service and pay them them the wage they deserve." The Liberal Democrats are calling for a proper and substantial above real terms…

10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must give travel industry clarity

Parliamentary news

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury Christine Jardine MP attended an online meeting with key figures from the travel industry this morning to discuss the issues facing the sector. At the event, hosted by the travel industry publication Travel Trade Gazette, attendees spoke of their frustration at lack of sector specific support and clarity from the Government over quarantine, the mounting debts many travel companies and tour operators are facing, and welcomed the idea of the revenue replacement scheme which the Liberal Democrats called for in the Budget. Christine Jardine MP said: "Listening to the issues faced by the travel industry it is clear that the Government need to provide a much more tailored approach for the sector, and that the sort of revenue replacement scheme that the Liberal Democrats…

09Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Give school leavers an optional extra year

Parliamentary news

Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education, has written to the Secretary of State for Education asking that he sets out proposals for a "Spring Forward" year of an optional fully-funded year of education for 17 to 18-year-olds who have missed out during the pandemic. "Unlike younger students, they do not have years ahead of them in school to gradually make up for the months of in-person teaching time they have lost during the last two academic years," the letter states. "So it is particularly urgent that you set out proposals to ensure they are not put at a disadvantage as they take their next steps in education, training or into the world of work. "As students return to school from 8 March, we are asking you to make…

02Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

‘Could do better’, Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader’s verdict on so called full school opening plans

Borough news

With one week to go, Conservative Government plans to reopen schools fail to pass muster, says Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE. “Whilst we all want to see all our children back at their desks, a return to school must be safe for our children, our teachers and our other school staff,” said Councillor Sykes. “Parents will rightly want to have the assurance that the government is not simply rushing into things just to satisfy a deadline on the Prime Minister’s ‘roadmap’ and that our children’s health will in no way be compromised by a March 8 return to the classroom.” The Oldham Liberal Democrats believe that the government has a whole series of questions to answer before it can pass the test: How can we be sure that…

01Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Chancellor must back live events, say cross-party MPs

Parliamentary news

Liberal Democrat Digital, Culture, Media, & Sports spokesperson, Jamie Stone MP, has led a group of 34 MPs and Peers in calling for the Chancellor to include Government-backed insurance for live events in his forthcoming Budget. The Chancellor has come under increasing pressure to underwrite insurance cover for the live events industry amid warnings that the festival summer season could be cancelled without sufficient Government support. The cross-party letter warns that unless the Chancellor heeds the warnings from industry experts to facilitate the reopening of the sector, he could be responsible for plunging “the nation deeper into an existing jobs and mental health crisis.” After sending the letter, Jamie Stone MP commented: “This cross-party effort demonstrates that the issue of live events impacts every part of the country. The industry…

27Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Reported business grants offer is an insult

Parliamentary news

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine MP has described the Government’s reported plan to only provide businesses with £5 billion in grants to get through the economic crisis, as an “insult”. She said: “At a time when millions of small businesses are struggling to survive, to offer them just £5 billion would be an insult. “From beauticians to builders, florists to café owners – the small businesses in our communities are on the brink and the Chancellor must do more. “It is now or never to save a million businesses in our local communities and the Government must put their recovery first. “We need to see a budget with a bold and ambitious compensation package for those who are facing crippling losses, and coping with hardship through no fault of…

Tag: coronavirus