02Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Guidance for schools raises more questions than they answer

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports the Government’s guidance for schools reopening will include an overhaul of the curriculum, impose strict behaviour regimes and include a continuation of remote learning, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “A raft of guidance is again released, but it is meaningless unless it is accompanied by robust scientific evidence to reassure the public that these plans won’t result in an increased risk of Covid-19 spreading.  “The practicality of the plans also raise concerns. Dropping entire subjects and a continuation of remote learning without much needed equipment is far from an indication that this Government is giving pupils the best start in life. “With the start and end of a school day moving to avoid rush hour, the Government will need to explain what working parents can…
Read More
29Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must make mental health support available to health and care workers

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Labour have announced a "Care for Carers" plan, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Over the past months the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to ramp up mental health support for health and care staff. It is very welcome that Labour have today begun campaigning for Government to introduce crucial projects we have also called for, including 24 hour access to mental health support for health and care staff through a dedicated helpline. “It is so important that opposition parties work together to make sure the Conservatives do more to support our health and care workers during this crisis and beyond. The Government must now listen to the proposals from the Liberal Democrats and Labour, so that health and care workers can get…
Read More
26Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Irresponsible for Government to change social distancing at schools

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that social distancing rules will be relaxed as part of plans to get all pupils back to school in September, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “We all want to be able to have pupils back at school in order to give them the education they need, but not until it is made safe. "However, it is irresponsible for the Government to announce a change of tact on social distancing when they don't know what the R rate will be in September.  “Ministers must give reassurances that they will not rush through a decision which could see weaker safety measures in schools than in any other public spaces.  “If the Government want people to have confidence that this is the right decision, they must publish the…
Read More
26Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must guarantee NHS Test & Trace fully functional before lockdown eases

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the latest figures for NHS Test & Trace show that nearly 30% of people who tested positive for coronavirus last week were not reached by contact tracers, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The latest tracing figures are alarming and provide yet more evidence that England’s Test & Trace system is in disarray. "With the Prime Minister's announcement that lockdown will ease dramatically in a few days' time, a robust and effective system to test, trace and isolate every case of coronavirus to keep people safe is absolutely critical. Without this system - let alone a cure or a vaccine - the risks of a second peak are grave indeed. "Millions have made heartbreaking sacrifices since lockdown began. Rushing the return…
Read More
24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Bank of America criticism of pound performance shows need to extend transition period

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that analysts at Bank of America have suggested pound sterling has behaved more like the currency of an emerging market since the Brexit referendum vote, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Boris Johnson's reckless pursuit of Brexit at all costs risks diminishing the UK's global status in both economic and political terms. “Instead of acting in the national interest, Conservative Ministers have been content to drive the UK towards a disastrous no deal Brexit cliff-edge. It's no surprise the pound has suffered as a direct result. “The Prime Minister must do the responsible thing and ensure some stability by extending the transition period. We are already struggling with a global crisis. Adding Brexit uncertainty to this is utterly reckless and will harm our chance of a rapid recovery.”
Read More
24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Charity shops or bust? UK charities on the brink of crisis in post Covid-19 world

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, says our High Street faces unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  He has written to Oldham Council bosses over concerns for the future of the charity economy in Oldham Borough. Charity shops provide essential revenue for charities in Oldham Borough, Greater Manchester and across the UK.  They also provide an affordable option for many people to shop locally.   Councillor Sykes has asked a number of questions to Oldham Council about how to protect this important sector of the Oldham community: How can Oldham Council support and help charity shops in Oldham Borough as we move out of this crisis?Have you spoken to the Charity Retail Association or any local charities…
Read More
24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Evidence for reopening schools must be published amidst fears of Covid-19 spike

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to publish the scientific advice underpinning the decision to reopen schools following reports the move could increase the rate of Covid-19 infections. Calculations for Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) show that if schools are fully reopened, a “surprisingly small” chain of infection could quickly carry the virus across the country. Sources close to SAGE also told The Times that scientists are uncertain schools will be able to reopen to all pupils in September without closing down other parts of the economy again. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “We all want to be able to have pupils back at school in order to give them the education they need, but not until it is made safe. These reports are exactly why parents and…
Read More
22Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Challenge is for Government, not teachers

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Prime Minister has announced he wants all pupils’ back to school every day and all day from September, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “We all want to be able to have pupils back at school and learning in the best environment possible. However, we cannot safely do that without a national plan for reopening schools or without having a comprehensive test, trace, and isolate system fully up and running. “The Prime Minister should wake up and fully grasp the issue. The challenge is not for teachers, it’s for the Government to explain how and when this can be achieved. “Sadly, Boris Johnson is once again setting ambitious goals without having made a plan or reaching out to the people who actually have to…
Read More
22Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

2m review must consider test, trace and isolate strategy

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will announce in the coming week whether the 2m social distancing rule in England will be relaxed, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The economic and public health impact of the Coronavirus is deeply worrying and has left thousands of families facing financial hardship and uncertainty. We all want to get back to normal life as soon as possible. “However, any easing of the lockdown can only happen once the Government delivers a comprehensive strategy to test, trace and isolate to protect lives and prevent a new surge. “Thus far, the Government has been woefully slow to ramp up capacity and their tracing plans are in disarray. It is clear Ministers failed to prepare properly and have created confusion by badly communicating their…
Read More
19Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Debt response must be green recovery plan

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that public debt has risen to over 100% this month, the first time since 1963, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This level of public debt hasn’t been seen in generations, but nor have we experienced such a devastating pandemic that has demanded such necessary spending.  “Many families will rightly worry what comes next. The Conservatives must not slash and burn our public services in response - that would harm our society and harm prospects of growing our economy out of this debt.  “The best response to this debt is a massive green recovery plan so we can provide the green jobs and the green growth to pay off the debt, get people into employment and tackle the climate emergency at the same time.”
Read More