16Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems secure PM commitment to independent inquiry

Parliamentary news
Acting Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has today secured a commitment from the Prime Minister to an independent inquiry into the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis and called for the timetable to be set out immediately. Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions today, Ed Davey warned that under Boris Johnson’s leadership the country has suffered “one of the worst death rates in the world and Europe’s worst death rate of health and care workers.” Making reference to Boris Johnson’s support for an independent inquiry into the Iraq War, the Liberal Democrat Acting Leader again urged the Prime Minister to “commit in principle to a future independent inquiry”. In response, the Prime Minister accepted his Government will “learn the lessons of this pandemic” and confirmed there will be in independent inquiry.…
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16Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

People deserve better than this Government’s NHS Test and Trace system

Parliamentary news
Responding to statistics out today that reveal NHS Test and Trace has only reached 71.1% of 'close contacts' of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The coronavirus crisis is taking an enormous toll and people are rightly worried about loved ones. The only way to allay fears and keep people safe is with a comprehensive strategy to test, trace and isolate every case of coronavirus. "Under the leadership of this Prime Minister, however, it is becoming clearer that the Government failed to prepare. It is no wonder a management consultancy has been drafted in to get things right, but at what cost? "People deserve better. The Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Prime Minister's feet to the fire to ensure the…
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14Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must be more ambitious to save the economy

Parliamentary news
Responding to this morning’s monthly GDP estimate from the ONS, showing that the economy grew by only 1.8% in May – lower than the 5.5% forecast by economists – Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Regrettably this dashes any hope of an early recovery and is bad news for millions of people experiencing real financial hardship. It confirms fears that the Chancellor’s plans just aren’t ambitious enough to rise to the scale of this economic challenge. “The way out of this recession is through a serious Green Recovery Plan that will create millions of jobs, tackle climate change and radically reshape our economy. “Just as crucially, our economy is still threatened by Brexit. If Boris Johnson is serious about rebuilding, he must avert a new crisis by…
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13Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Save Oldham’s Services

Borough news
The COVID-19 outbreak is placing massive pressure on services provided by both Oldham Council and the NHS. Team Oldham, the voluntary sector and the community have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep Oldham residents safe. This vital work has come at a massive financial cost to Oldham Council. Although further government funding has been announced, it is not enough to fully support the people of Oldham. We’re calling on the community to say thanks to those who have been working to look after others, the care workers, waste disposal teams, emergency helpline operators and more. To enable us to keep being there for our residents we now need the support from Government in the form of fair funding. This funding will help make up the costs the council has…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Government must improve testing and tracing or they risk a second wave

Parliamentary news
Responding to Michael Gove's comments this morning on the public returning to work and whether wearing face coverings should be mandatory in shops, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Face coverings should be worn in enclosed public spaces, and it is important that any government guidance on the issue is clear on exactly when and where they are recommending the public should wear them. "However, face coverings are not solely going to contain the spread of coronavirus. The government must be introducing any new guidance on face coverings as part of a package of wider measures - most importantly a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system which we are still yet to see up and running properly. "Whilst the government encourages people to go back to work and relaxes…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Children of parents who lose jobs over summer risk losing free school meals

Parliamentary news
Children of parents who lose their jobs over the coming weeks risk missing out on free school meals over the summer because of a loophole in the scheme, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran has warned. It comes following a wave of job losses this week, with John Lewis and Boots alone cutting 5,300 jobs. The current government guidelines say you must apply for a voucher for the Covid Summer Food Fund one week before school ends. For the majority of schools that close on 20 July, this means you must apply by Monday 13 July. Only children who qualify for school meals before the end of the term are eligible for support from the fund. Layla Moran has written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson warning the rule could mean…
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10Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government unwillingness to work with EU is unforgivable

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports UK has opted out of the EU's coronavirus vaccines scheme, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “When coronavirus is such a threat to people’s lives and livelihoods, Ministers should leave no stone unturned in their bid to end the pandemic. “This Government's stubborn unwillingness to work with the European Union through the current crisis is unforgivable.  “The crisis does not stop at any national border. It is about time the Prime Minister started showing leadership, including fully participating in all EU efforts to secure critical medical supplies and a vaccine.”
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Ministers must act to ensure public can have confidence in NHS Test and Trace

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that NHS Test and Trace has only reached some 70% of 'close contacts' of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "Yesterday the Chancellor offered us discounts to eat out, but many people will be too worried to do so. That’s because the NHS Test and Trace is still failing to reach large numbers of people, despite costing taxpayers some £10 billion in private contracts. "We need to test, trace and isolate every case of COVID-19 to keep people safe. The public need to have confidence that NHS Test & Trace is fully functional. With the figures failing to improve week to week, it's clear there is still a lot of work to do. "The Government…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

As the country opens up Test and Trace is more important than ever

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Press Conference by the Culture Secretary, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Many business owners will be breathing a sigh of relief that they can re-open and get some sense of normality. As the country opens up it is more important than ever that we have a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system. “NHS Test and Trace is still failing to reach large numbers of people, despite costing taxpayers some £10 billion in private contracts. "The Government must act now to ensure that this system works,  failing will put public health at risk and jeopardise our chances of a rapid economic recovery."
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08Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Yet more lies from PM as he tries to dodge blame for care homes crisis

Parliamentary news
Responding to Boris Johnson's comments during Prime Minister's Questions that "no one knew early on in the pandemic that the virus was being passed on asymptomatically", Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Yet again, we are seeing more lies from the Prime Minister. He and his Ministers knew about the asymptomatic transmission of this virus, but they still allowed those who hadn’t been tested to enter our care homes. "It was not the case that we didn’t know coronavirus could be asymptomatic, and it is not fair to say that care homes were not following procedures. The truth is there was no protective ring around care homes. "Our social care system was left tragically exposed under Boris Johnson's watch. It is time he stopped trying to dodge the blame. "The…
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