14Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Parliamentary news
In response to the news that schools will not be providing free meals during February half term, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education Daisy Cooper, said: “This is the second time this week that hungry children have been let-down: first it was the shocking photos of free school meal packs, and now there is more confusion over how children will access a meal during February half term, which will leave parents despairing. "After so much public outcry over free school meals, people won’t understand why struggling families are still having to fight the government for their kids to have just one decent meal a day. "The Government must do the right thing and make a 'no ifs no buts' commitment: whether a child is in school or at home, or whether…
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13Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories kill bid to guarantee NHS heroes the right to live in the UK

Tories kill bid to guarantee NHS heroes the right to live in the UK

Parliamentary news
Lib Dems have vowed to fight for healthcare workers’ rights after a Bill to give them the indefinite leave to remain was effectively axed by the Tory government. Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine tabled the Immigration (Health and Social Care Staff) Bill 2019-21, which was due for its second reading on Friday. But the Government have decided to axe all sitting Fridays until the end of March, meaning dozens of Private Members Bills will effectively be killed off. Ms Jardine’s Bill proposed that all health and social care staff from outside the EU would be granted indefinite leave to remain, giving the peace of mind about their immigration status and granting them rights enjoyed by British citizens. Christine Jardine said: “Like the rest of our wonderful NHS and care staff,…
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13Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Home Secretary adds to COVID rules confusion

Home Secretary adds to COVID rules confusion

Parliamentary news
Responding to Home Secretary Priti Patel's COVID press briefing, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “The Home Secretary can insist as often as she likes that Government guidelines are “actually clear and simple”, they aren’t. In her own press conference, the Home Secretary added to the confusion by talking about “outdoor recreation” instead of exercise. “The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Home Secretary to properly support the police and the country as a whole by making sure the guidelines on lockdown are crystal clear and understood. "At the end of the day the spirit of the law is just as important as the letter of it in protecting people from the pandemic. The police cannot respond to every potential breach of the rules and so it…
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12Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Postage subsidy for small businesses to help them take on Covid

Postage subsidy for small businesses to help them take on Covid

Parliamentary news
The Government should introduce subsidised postage for small businesses to help them cope with the cost of trading online, according to the Lib Dems. Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury, will call for it to be included in a government support package for businesses in an adjournment debate she has secured in Parliament tomorrow (Weds). Christine will also call for the Government to come up with a long term strategy to help businesses cope with the enormous burden of debt that many will now face. Previously, Christine met Minister Paul Scully and wrote to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak about the postage issue, and has called for an extension to the furlough scheme until at least the summer and support for the millions who are still excluded from Government…
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12Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Parents must be given vouchers instead of ‘woefully inadequate’ food parcels

Parents must be given vouchers instead of ‘woefully inadequate’ food parcels

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for parents to be given vouchers after pictures of 'woefully inadequate' food parcels were shared on social media. Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Education, Daisy Cooper, has written to the Secretary of State for Education to urge him to investigate. Daisy Cooper said: “It is completely unacceptable that parents have received woefully inadequate food parcels in place of free school meals. "The amount of food parents have received to feed their children is not anything like enough to provide an adequate, nutritious lunch every day. Nor do they appear to represent value for money, given what the parcels should theoretically be worth. "I have written to the Secretary of State asking him to investigate the situation urgently and replace these abysmal hampers with food vouchers. "Time…
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12Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must go further and faster to vaccinate most vulnerable

Government must go further and faster to vaccinate most vulnerable

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the newly published vaccine delivery plan but have urged the Government to go 'further and faster' to protect the vulnerable. Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, said “Vaccinating two million people is something to be welcomed. However, it shouldn’t mask the fact that government needs to go further and faster if it is to reach all of the most vulnerable in society by mid-February. “I’m certain that people will queue safely round the block 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get the vaccine and that is exactly what should be available. It is vital the Government doesn’t waste a moment, day or night, in the race against the virus. “With cases and deaths sadly still on the rise this is the…
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11Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Police need urgent clarity on lockdown laws

Police need urgent clarity on lockdown laws

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that Police will issue fines to coronavirus rule breakers after one warning, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Home Affairs Alistair Carmichael said: “The police need urgent clarity on lockdown laws so that they can police this pandemic effectively. They have a vital role, but they can only do their job properly with clear guidance on what is legal and what isn’t. “If the public are treated in an unjust way, there will be more rule breaches and COVID will continue to rise. The Government must make sure everyone, public and police, can clearly understand the law.” “Like everyone on the frontline of this crisis, the police are doing an incredibly difficult job in extremely challenging circumstances. Now, as always, they need the consent and cooperation of the…
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08Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Munira Wilson: ‘Terrifying R-rate increase requires faster vaccine rollout’

Munira Wilson: ‘Terrifying R-rate increase requires faster vaccine rollout’

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a faster rollout of vaccines after news that the R-rate has risen between 1 and 1.4. Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, welcomed the decision to test travellers for coronavirus at UK borders but said these restrictions should have been implemented months ago. Munira Wilson said: “The numbers released today make it increasingly clear that the Government needs to roll out the vaccine as quickly and safely as possible. "Infections are increasing at a terrifying rate and hospitals are close to being overwhelmed. Boris Johnson must deliver on his promises if we are to save lives and protect the NHS. “Even after many millions of people have received their jab, fixing the Government’s test and trace system will still be…
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08Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Barred! New Year blow to hospitality industry

Borough news
Under the latest government lockdown restrictions pubs and restaurants will be barred from selling alcohol to take away from their licensed premises or by click and collect. The new ruling means that from January 7 they can only sell alcohol if it is delivered to their customers’ homes. Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, thinks that is just plain wrong. Commenting he said: “Anyone can go to a supermarket, corner shop or off-licence to buy booze and take it away, but from this week our struggling pubs, micro-breweries and restaurants will be unable to. They can continue to sell food to customers from their premises, so why can’t they buy a few pints of fresh cask ale to go with it. “I asked the Council Leader at the December…
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07Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must protect businesses and jobs

Government must protect businesses and jobs

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for the government to suspend business rates through next year, extend furlough and support the self-employed as the UK enters its third lockdown. Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, urged the Chancellor to take real action to save people's jobs as businesses face months of hardship. Ed Davey said: “This lockdown should have come sooner, Boris Johnson has once again ducked making a difficult decision and as a result we are now in a critical situation. "But we must all support it now and do all we can to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. "We also need real action now to save people's jobs, their businesses and their livelihoods. "Small businesses have shown incredible resilience but now they worry…
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