12Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Yet more dishonesty from the Government on test and trace system

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Health Secretary has been misleading about the number of contacts that have been traced, using the governments test and trace system, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Yet more obfuscation from the Health Secretary today on the testing and tracing system. In normal times this kind of dishonesty from the government is  extremely problematic, during a pandemic it is dangerous. “If people do not trust the government they are less likely to have faith in a test and trace system and less likely to follow guidelines, people want clarity and honesty from Ministers. “Without a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system it is almost impossible to keep people safe as we move out of lockdown. Ministers have failed to make this happen and apparently won't be…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must commit to inquiry into handling of COVID-19

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's COVID-19 update from the Prime Minister, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Parents and teachers will be asking why the Prime Minister is talking just about theme parks and zoos when so many parents want to hear about the practical steps to reopen schools safely in the weeks ahead.   “The fact remains that a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is still the only way to keep people safe as we move out of lockdown. Yet the Government still hasn't delivered on this, and apparently won't be able to until September. Ministers can't even provide figures for the number of people being tested day-to-day.  “The Prime Minister needs to be utterly transparent about the barriers to opening schools, the limits to testing capacity and…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must help businesses and people excluded from support schemes

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that 8.9m jobs have been furloughed & 2.6m claims submitted to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The furlough scheme and income support for self-employed people, which the Liberal Democrats fought hard to get, are providing a lifeline for millions of families. “However, far too many people are still excluded from this support, including those who recently became self-employed and those who operate as limited companies. The Chancellor must expand the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to cover these people. “The Government must not leave behind people and businesses without the support they need when these schemes come to an end. Many parts of our economy, such as tourism and hospitality, will simply not be back up to speed by October.…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Record levels of domestic abuse demands tougher law, warn Lib Dems

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports from the NSPCC that children impacted by domestic abuse have soared to an average of one an hour during the coronavirus lockdown, Liberal Democrat Homes Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Domestic abuse leaves a devasting, lifelong impact on survivors. To know that cases have spiked to a record level during the coronavirus lockdown is terrifying. “Ministers must act. Not only must the Government address shortages in services but Ministers must also use the Domestic Abuse Bill to strengthen protection and support for survivors. “That is why I am urging the Government to support Liberal Democrats amendments to improve key aspects of this Bill, and help those who are trapped, without resources to leave abusive homes.”
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must take charge and ensure deprived children aren’t left behind

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on Boris Johnson to take charge of the crisis facing schools and ensure disadvantaged children are not left behind, accusing Gavin Williamson of having “dropped the ball." It comes after the former Head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, this morningsaid the Government’s failure to consult with teachers over its plans was “absolutely astonishing.” Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Parents and teachers have raised concerns from the outset about how to get pupils safely back into school, but Gavin Williamson has refused to listen. It’s no surprise this whole process has descended into a complete shambles. “Time and again the Education Secretary has dropped the ball, from refusing to extend free school meals over the summer to leaving thousands of disadvantaged children without laptops. “Boris…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: UK needs Green Recovery Plan to counter COVID-19 economic damage

Parliamentary news
Responding to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that predicts the UK economy will shrink by 11.5% and experience the worst economic contraction among developed countries due to the coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Coronavirus has proven to be a bigger threat to people’s jobs and livelihoods than even the financial crash. People are rightly worried about their jobs, their families and their communities. We must ensure no one is left behind. “The UK desperately needs a Green Recovery Plan. We can rebuild the economy and protect the environment by creating jobs through embracing new, green technologies.  “The Prime Minister must also stop the double-whammy of a no-deal by ending the uncertainly and extend the Brexit transition period, protecting access to markets…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems propose support package for employers to keep workers safe as lockdown eases

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to help businesses draw up risk assessments to keep their employees safe as they return to work, and to establish a Coronavirus Safety Hotline for whistleblowers to report unsafe workplaces. The party has emphasised that anyone who can work from home must continue to do so in line with the current public health guidance, and that this must remain the case until the Government has scaled up testing and tracing sufficiently to stop the spread of coronavirus. The measures, set out today by Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, are intended to support small and medium-sized businesses who are bringing employees back to work now – as well as all employers as the lockdown is eased in future. The Liberal Democrats’ “Safe…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Empty pharma stockpiles show govt must rethink transition extension

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that No Deal Brexit stockpiles “significantly reduced and/or used up entirely” by Covid pandemic, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “These reports show the recklessness of the government’s approach to Brexit negotiations and protecting our economy and NHS. “The stockpiles created to protect against the risk of a no deal Brexit have now been used up, and building them back up to safe levels by the end of the year is going to be very difficult.  “So by pushing the UK into a no deal Brexit the Conservatives could be putting more lives and more jobs at risk. “The calls to extend the transition period have come from people who voted leave and remain a like. The government must put national interest ahead of Brexit…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government failing NHS staff and care workers

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that NHS trusts were not consulted over new face coverings rule, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This is yet another betrayal by the Government of the NHS and care staff who are putting their lives on the line every single day.  “Why is the Secretary of State prioritising press conference announcements over consultation with NHS staff? Now we face a situation where our stretched and under-resourced NHS is having to adapt to these new measures without appropriate warning and still without the full guidance being published. “When the nation pulls through from this crisis, Boris Johnson and his Government will have a number of questions to answer about why they have blindsided NHS staff and care workers. “A public inquiry cannot come soon…
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08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not sleep walk into a second peak

Parliamentary news
Responding to comments from the Health Secretary  that the governemnt was continuing to follow experts advice to deal with the Coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Health Secretary has said that the government is following the science, yet a senior SAGE epidemiologist again stated that the lockdown started too late and the new easing of lockdown was happening too quickly. “Matt Hancock also confirmed that the country is still at level 4 in its own Coronavirus warning system, but the government continue to ease the lockdown anyway. This could be yet another reckless move. “Without the critical Test, Trace and Isolate infrastructure in place, abandoning the advice of senior epidemiologists this government looks increasingly near sleep walking into another rise of Coronavirus in the UK.”
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