coronavirus – Page 20 – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

13Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Economic recovery requires “comprehensive” strategy not more “last minute” Government plans

Responding to the latest figures showing that UK GDP grew by 15.5% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020, but that GDP is still 9.7% below where it was at the end of 2019, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The growth in the last quarter is testament to the hard work of people in all sectors after the first lockdown. But our economy still has a mountain to climb and hasn't been helped by the Government's mistakes in the first wave of coronavirus. “With a new lockdown in place in England and strict restrictions in other parts of the UK, people are increasingly worried about their jobs and livelihoods. The support the Government has given to date has simply not been adequate. "To ensure recovery we need a…

12Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Four nations must “move swiftly” to help families plan for Christmas

Parliamentary news

Responding to news that the four Governments of the UK are meeting today to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “With people across the United Kingdom desperate to be home safely with family this festive season, I am glad all four governments have listened to Liberal Democrat calls to work together. "With time ticking away, we need Ministers to move swiftly. That means an agreement on comprehensive, uniform guidance for travel and family gatherings. It will also require Ministers to get a grip of the failing test, trace and isolate system, not least with mass testing. "Liberal Democrats are ready to play our part to help those talks progress quickly. A clear indication now of when measures are…

10Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Unemployment rise sits squarely with the Chancellor

Parliamentary news

Responding to the reports that the UK's unemployment rate has risen again, to 4.8% in the three months to September, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “These figures show clearly the scale of the hardship coronavirus is causing. The responsibility for that sits squarely with the Chancellor and his chop-and-change approach to job support, and refusal to recognise the needs of the excluded. "Liberal Democrats had warned the Chancellor that this would be the consequence of his actions. He must now commit to a long-term plan that will save as many jobs as possible, including keeping the furlough scheme in place until June 2021, and he must urgently extend support to the three million taxpayers that have been excluded since the start of the crisis."

10Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Williamson must follow Welsh Government and cancel 2021 exams

Parliamentary news

Responding to the reports that Liberal Democrat Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams has announced that they are cancelling GCSE, AS and A-level exams in 2021, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “The ongoing disruption of coronavirus on education means it is now impossible to guarantee a level playing field for students in exams. Many teachers are also saying it is now impossible to teach the content needed for next summer's exams. “The Liberal Democrats have been clear that rather leaving pupils under a cloud of uncertainty and making yet more last minute decisions, the Government must cancel GCSE and A-level exams in summer 2021 and make necessary adjustments to assessing BTECs. “In cancelling next year's exams, Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams is giving schools the certainty they need, whilst…

10Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must produce clear roll-out strategy once vaccine approved

Parliamentary news

Responding to the Prime Minister's press conference, following the news about the progress towards the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “News about a vaccine is a real moment of hope for people in the UK and around the world, and has the potential to be life changing. It shows in technicolour what the international community can do when we work together for a common goal. "Should this vaccine be the game-changer we hope, we need a clear roll-out strategy from the Government, so that people know when they can be vaccinated and how the process will work. The Government must also show a clear plan to keep us safe until the vaccination is available for the majority of people living in the…

05Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Fixing test and trace must be priority for Government during national lockdown

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Ministers to use the lockdown period in England to "get a grip" on the test and trace system and ensure the right financial and practical support is in place for people isolating. The call follows a vote in the House of Commons today on the new lockdown measures in England, which were approved by 516 votes to 38. Speaking after the vote, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “It is deeply frustrating that we must now enter a national lockdown. If Boris Johnson had not dithered and delayed and had instead followed the scientists’ advice, this could have been shorter and less damaging. "Now it is essential that Ministers use this time to get a grip on our broken test, trace and…

03Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Four nations meeting welcome “first step”

Parliamentary news

Responding to news that the four Governments of the UK have met to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: "People across our family of nations will be reassured to hear that efforts are at last underway to ensure everyone is subject to the same guidance as they plan for the festive period, as first called for by the Liberal Democrats. "But this meeting can only be a first step. We need to see results, not just platitudes. That means comprehensive, uniform guidance for family gatherings across the UK, as well as a common approach to transport, student return and asymptomatic testing. This must happen urgently. "If we are to both keep people safe and ensure families have any…

03Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government urged to “lead by example” and restore hybrid Parliament

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to reflect on the increased risk from the rise of coronavirus cases and bring back a hybrid Parliament and remote voting as soon as possible. Speaking at Business Questions in the House of Commons today, Wera Hobhouse warned MPs should put "the safety of citizens first" and "demonstrate, through our own actions, that this lockdown is different" by adapting working practices. The call follows the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, warning that MPs could “easily become superspreaders." However, in response to Wera Hobhouse, the Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg refused the request. The fully virtual Parliament, which was in place during the last lockdown from March to May, allowed MPs to take part in debates, committee, questions, and voting whilst remaining in…

01Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

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,…

01Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government meetings must produce results for families over the festive season

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports that the UK Government will hold meetings to try to develop a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the festive period, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “It is welcome that the governments of the four nations are listening to the Liberal Democrats' calls. With so many families desperate to be back together this festive season, we simply cannot allow political bickering and fractured guidance to confuse and divide people. “These meetings must be more than just a publicity stunt. They must result in comprehensive uniform guidance for family gatherings, as well as a common approach to transport, student return and asymptomatic testing - and it must happen urgently. “Ultimately, if we are to both keep people safe and ensure families have any chance of spending…

Tag: coronavirus