12Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Using mock exams won’t resolve grade award crisis

Using mock exams won’t resolve grade award crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's announcement of a so-called "triple lock" on this year's grade awards, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Young people are rightly worried that their futures are being derailed by a botched grading system. Ministers have long been warned to take extra steps to make sure pupils are not unfairly penalised, but using mock examination results won't resolve this. "Given that there is no consistent approach to mock examinations across schools, this could be more of a barrier than a benefit for many pupils. Had Ministers consulted teachers they would have known this. Pupils deserve better. "Pupils must have the chance to appeal their grades directly at no cost, and to present evidence that reflects their performance and progress to date. Ministers must also be crystal…
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10Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Govt should encourage universities to “exercise leniency” for 2020 admissions

Govt should encourage universities to “exercise leniency” for 2020 admissions

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to issue guidance encouraging universities to "exercise leniency" in admitting students with lower-than-predicted grades, in the wake of concerns about how grades will be awarded this year. Describing plans to prevent students appealing their grades as "completely unacceptable", Layla Moran, the party's Education spokesperson, has written to the Education Secretary calling for him to ensure: Students will have the chance to appeal their grades for free, as well as providing free advice on the appeals process;Guidance is issued about how students can safely re-take assessments in the Autumn;Guidance is issued to universities encouraging them to exercise leniency when it comes to admitting students who are awarded lower grades than predicted, especially if they come from a disadvantaged background. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson…
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10Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lack of test and trace leaving local authorities blind-folded with regional lockdowns

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that a rise in coronavirus cases in Preston has led the Government to reintroduce lockdown measures in that area, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "The Government must act now to reassure people in the Preston area that they are managing this serious outbreak. This is difficult when the Prime Minister has yet again brought in a regional lockdown without a press conference. "Ministers must urgently examine the data and act immediately if necessary, hand in hand with local government, to keep people safe. "However, this has not happened. Ministers have utterly failed to make sure we have a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system in place. This has left local authorities blind-folded whilst having to try and stop the spread of coronavirus in their…
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10Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must provide practical and financial support ahead of schools opening fully

Government must provide practical and financial support ahead of schools opening fully

Parliamentary news
Responding to comments from the Prime Minister that reopening schools fully is a "national priority", Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Months of remote learning has seen too many pupils left behind. It is absolutely right to prioritise getting children back to school. "To do so, school leaders, teachers, parents and pupils need to have real confidence that schools will be COVID-safe come September. A comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is critical to reopening classrooms as safely as possible. Ministers need to work with local authorities to improve the NHS Test and Trace service, which is still failing to reach enough close contacts. "The Government must also use these last vital weeks to ensure school leaders have the practical and financial support they need ahead of opening fully.…
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10Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Liberal Democrat Leader calls for police to get tougher on Covid-19

Liberal Democrat Leader calls for police to get tougher on Covid-19

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, has written to the Metropolitan Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Andy Burnham, asking him to ‘get tougher to tackle the spike in Covid-19’ with a greater police presence on our streets and on our trams. Councillor Sykes is, like many of his constituents, getting increasingly annoyed and frustrated at seeing the actions of a ‘selfish few’, who are ‘frequently and flagrantly’ flouting the regulations on social distancing and the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and in shops and takeaways. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “Individuals acting in this manner are endangering themselves and others around them and may well be aiding the transmission of this deadly illness. We need to…
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07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Govt must act to strengthen NHS Test and Trace ahead of new school year

Govt must act to strengthen NHS Test and Trace ahead of new school year

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that scientists have warned that current testing and contact tracing is inadequate to prevent a second wave of coronavirus when schools in the UK reopen, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:  “After months being cooped up at home, millions of children are looking forward to getting back to school in September, but safety must remain the top priority. "In the absence of a vaccine, a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is the only way to keep people safe as we reopen schools. The Government must do everything in its power to strengthen that system if we are to have any hope of a safe start to the new school year.  "Equally, the Government need to be honest about the very real risk that, if they…
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07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Ministers are playing fast and loose with safety of NHS staff

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that fifty million face masks bought by the Government will now not be used by NHS and care staff because of safety concerns, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "The news that fifty million masks are not safe for our NHS and care staff to use is yet another staggering error made by this Government. Not only does it mean millions of pounds of taxpayers money being thrown down the drain, but it shows just how Ministers are playing fast and loose when it comes to keeping our NHS staff safe. "The Government's procurement of personal protective equipment has been shocking from the very beginning of the pandemic. It should not need to be said that Ministers should prioritise protecting the staff…
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07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ending furlough risks “pulling the rug” from countless households

Parliamentary news
Responding to the latest economic forecasts from the Bank of England, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:  “The UK is facing the greatest economic crisis in a century. Its grave impact on peoples’ livelihoods can’t be underestimated, nor can Government afford to show any degree of complacency. “Despite warnings of mass unemployment, the Chancellor is pressing ahead to end the furlough scheme, pulling the rug out from under countless households. He must change course before it’s too late, and ensure that support continues for the worst-hit sectors and areas still in lockdown. “Liberal Democrats have been clear from the start that only a serious job-creation drive will end this crisis. That’s why we are calling for a Green Recovery Plan that will create millions of jobs whilst…
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07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Failure to sack Cummings shows PM’s “weakness and incompetence”

Parliamentary news
Responding to a new report from University College London showing that public confidence in the UK Government's ability to handle the coronavirus pandemic dropped sharply following news about the travel movements of the Prime Minister's Chief Adviser Dominic Cummings, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Millions of people across the UK have made heart-breaking sacrifices to comply with the lockdown and help keep others safe from coronavirus. They were rightly outraged when Boris Johnson’s Chief Adviser thought it was one rule for him and another rule for the rest of us, and it’s not surprising people have since lost trust in this Government. “It’s insulting that Dominic Cummings still hasn’t apologised, and that Boris Johnson hasn’t sacked him. The Prime Minister has chosen saving his adviser over…
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07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Blocking pupil grade appeals could deny opportunities “for years to come”

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that schools, but not individual pupils, will be able to challenge the GCSE and A Level grades awarded, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “This completely fails to get to grips with the issue. If individual pupils are not able to challenge grades which are an unfair reflection of their ability, it could seriously impact their education and employment opportunities for years to come. "It is absolutely unacceptable for any student to be unfairly penalised because of their family’s income or any other factor. "The Secretary of State needs to urgently put in place resources to ensure every child has the chance to appeal their grades and resit assessments when it is safe to do so.”
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