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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29Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM must implement an immediate national circuit breaker

PM must implement an immediate national circuit breaker

Parliamentary news
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has today called for an immediate national circuit breaker to "correct the failing test, trace and isolate system" and keep people safe. The call follows annoucements in both France and Germany of new nationwide lockdowns. The Liberal Democrats have also called for a united approach to keeping family gatherings safe during the festive season, now backed by Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford. Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Government has been badly prepared and slow to act at every stage throughout this health and jobs crisis. That can’t happen again, especially in the run up to Christmas. “That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to start an immediate national circuit breaker across the UK. This…
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27Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Four nations summit needed to keep families safe at Christmas

Four nations summit needed to keep families safe at Christmas

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrats in Scotland, Wales and England have joined with the Alliance Party in calling for a “four nations summit” to consider a united approach to keeping family gatherings safe during the festive season. In a joint letter to the four governments of the UK, the Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, Scottish Leader Willie Rennie, Welsh Leader Jane Dodds and Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP warned the “interlinked nature of life in the United Kingdom means no one government can devise guidance for the festive season in isolation.” The letter follows uncertainty about students returning for Christmas and conflicting comments about family gatherings, with Scotland’s National Clinical Director Jason Leitch branding multi-household gatherings “fiction” while the Prime Minister indicated rules could be relaxed. To enable travel to happen safely,…
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27Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Time to give child food poverty the boot

Borough news
Liberal Democrat Councillors are playing on the same team as campaigning footballer Marcus Rashford when it comes to tackling child food poverty. The 22-year old Manchester United star has just been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his work ensuring that no child goes hungry. This is an issue close to the heart of Saddleworth North Liberal Democrat Councillor Garth Harkness, who is proposing a motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (November 4) seeking cross-party support for Mr Rashford’s pioneering work. He has frequently raised child hunger with the Council. Being employed at a Manchester school, Councillor Harkness is well-aware of the adverse impact that hunger can have on a child’s educational performance. Commenting Councillor Harkness said: “When many people think of top-flight footballers,…
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26Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's claim that the Conservative Government will "do everything in our power to make sure no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays", Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Boris Johnson's claim does not ring true given his hard-hearted refusal to u-turn on free school meals. "The idea that other measures will make up for the lack of provision just won't wash - people know the real struggles that families are enduring. That is why so many communities and businesses have stepped in to provide support while this callous Government stands by. "The Liberal Democrats want to see a firm commitment from the Conservatives not only to extending free school meals through holiday periods, but also expanding eligibility to ensure any child from…
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25Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories must “wake up to reality” and do the right thing on Free School Meals

Tories must “wake up to reality” and do the right thing on Free School Meals

Parliamentary news
Responding to comments from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, speaking on today's Andrew Marr show, suggesting that the Government will not change its position on Free School Meals, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Tory Ministers must stop defending the indefensible on free school meals. We are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, and the Conservatives have chosen to cut off a lifeline for the poorest children in the country. "Communities and businesses who have stepped up where the Government has failed shows where the true heart of this nation lies. The Conservatives must wake up to reality and do the right thing. "The Liberal Democrats will keep calling for the Conservatives to do the right thing to ensure vulnerable children do not go hungry…
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23Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM’s failure to listen to scientists has made family Christmas less likely

PM’s failure to listen to scientists has made family Christmas less likely

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Prime Minister's "ambition" is for people to celebrate Christmas with their families, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “The Prime Minister failed to listen to the scientists over the past few months and, as a result, family Christmas has become less likely not more likely. “Liberal Democrats backed the experts in their call for a short sharp nationwide circuit breaker to stem the virus well ahead of Christmas and give the government time to fix the broken Test, Trace and Isolate system. “The awful truth is this government has lost control of the virus and it’s costing lives and livelihoods. People up and down the country are desperate for Boris Johnson to get of a grip of the situation well before Christmas.”
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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
Liberal Democrat Leader’s app suggestion an “excellent idea”

Liberal Democrat Leader’s app suggestion an “excellent idea”

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, was heartened to receive a letter from the Chief Executive of Oldham Council, Dr Carolyn Wilkins OBE, endorsing his idea that the NHS Covid-19 app be made available pro-actively to all staff at the Council and staff in other public sector organisations who are issued with a smart phone for business use. Describing the suggestion as an “excellent idea”, Dr Wilkins has agreed to make the app available to Council staff and has also written to partner organisations in the Borough asking them to do the same. Dr Wilkins also plays a key role in the delivery of the national Track and Trace scheme representing local authorities. Commenting, Councillor Sykes said:…
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