01Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government decision to press on with reopening schools “deeply worrying”

Parliamentary news
Ahead of some schools reopening to more pupils on Monday 1 June, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Ministers have repeatedly claimed to be guided by science through this crisis, yet a number of scientists - including members of SAGE - have expressed concern about the easing of lockdown. It's deeply worrying that plans to reopen schools are going ahead despite the fact that the COVID-19 risk is still classified as "high".  “We all want to see children back in schools as an urgent priority. But not if this risks a new COVID-19 spike. The Government must guarantee that public health will not be put at risk as a result of a premature or rushed effort to get children back into classrooms.  “The Government must also find find practical solutions to the logistical problems created by the…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Increase in prison staff Covid-19 cases show Government allowing prisons to become crucible for virus

Parliamentary news
Responding to the figures showing the number of prison staff with coronavirus has increased dramatically, with 873 staff having tested positive across England and Wales, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperon Daisy Cooper said: “The figures showing the dramatic rise in Covid-19 cases amongst prison staff demonstrate that the government is allowing prisons to become a crucible for the virus. “Whilst our prisons remain overcrowded and the government refuse to release all low-risk prisoners, there is no chance of social distancing. This puts the health of both staff and prisoners, as well as our communities, at risk. “The government must listen to prison governors and end overcrowding in prisons before the consequences become even more severe. Liberal Democrats are calling for Ministers to release all low-risk prisoners serving short sentences and suspend any new short sentences. With tough…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

High time for Government to extend Brexit transition period

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier has made clear that an extension to the Brexit transition period is possible, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Even before COVID, Johnson had a tight timetable for Brexit talks. The Prime Minister’s refusal now to even consider the possibility of an extension to the Brexit transition as we face an unprecedented global health and economic crisis shows he is recklessly putting his Brexit ideology before the UK's national interest. “It’s clear that an extension is possible and it's high time for the Conservative Government to think again.  “Boris Johnson must put the national interest first and accept the need to extend the transition period. Otherwise he threatens to pitch the country into a chaotic no deal Brexit, at a time when the economy…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must instruct Home Sec to lift no recourse to public funds rule for coronavirus crisis

Parliamentary news
Following the Prime Minster's appearance at the liaison committee, where he stated he would "see what we can do to help” those with no recourse to public funds, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “It’s unbelievable that someone who’s been an MP for 12 years – and is now the Prime Minister – appeared to not have even heard of a rule that bars migrants from accessing crucial support from the government. “The ‘no recourse to public funds’ rule is particularly damaging during the coronavirus crisis, preventing many families who have lost their livelihoods overnight from accessing the Universal Credit safety net. Liberal Democrats have been urging Priti Patel to lift the rule for the duration of the crisis, so migrants – like everyone else – are given the financial…
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28May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government strategy must also support people in isolation

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government’s test and trace system announcement, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The Coronavirus crisis is leaving people rightly worried about their loved ones. Sadly, the Government has left confusion in it's wake this week and there are plenty questions still to answer.  “Central to the Government’s strategy must be a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system. Time and again, we have seen Ministers announce the next steps but never an effective plan to support people in isolation, thereby stopping the spread and saving lives. “Ministers must come forward with these clear and honest answers, in addition addressing the obvious issues with their app and why the level of testing remains so low across the UK compared to some countries.”
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26May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM’s judgement now in question over Cummings

Parliamentary news
Responding to today's COVID-19 update from the Prime Minister, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The Prime Minister's own judgement is now in question. If he was really convinced by Dominic Cummings’ story, he is in a small minority and the public’s confidence in Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus crisis will only fall further.  "The Prime Minister ought to understand that the public want to see strong and clear leadership during this health crisis, but the Cummings scandal has heaped yet more confusion on the Government’s public health messaging.  “As if to distract our attention, the Prime Minister has attempted to outline key steps beyond lockdown. Yet this requires a comprehensive test, trace and isolate strategy to be in place. That is the only way to keep people…
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26May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

All Tory MPs must reflect on Govt resignation and call for Cummings to go

Parliamentary news
Responding to the resignation of a Conservative Minister in protest at the row over Dominic Cummings, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Countless people have made heartbreaking sacrifices to keep to the Government’s rules, so people are understandably angry about Dominic Cummings’ behaviour.   “Douglas Ross recognises it cannot be one rule for senior government officials and one rule for everyone else, so why doesn’t the Prime Minister? Boris Johnson is losing the trust of his own Ministers and his judgement is seriously in question. To tackle this pandemic and save lives, people deserve better. “All Conservative MPs must reflect on this resignation, stop defending the indefensible and put the public health of our country first by calling for the Prime Minister’s scandal-hit spin doctor-in-chief to go.”
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26May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must invest now in mental health support given impact of COVID-19

Parliamentary news
Statistics from the ONS show that across Great Britain from 3 April to 3 May 2020, some 80% of adults were worried about the effect that COVID-19 was having on their life. Responding to these figures, Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, said: “The majority of people right across the country have experienced a tangible, detrimental mental health impact as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Ministers must recognise that the mental health scars of COVID-19 will be deep. We need to see investment now to ensure that people - regardless of where they live - can access the support they need, when they need it.  “That's why the Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to urgently increase funding for and provision of mental health support. We are…
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26May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must scrap Vagrancy Act as part of plan to end rough sleeping for good

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that £53m will be provided for support services to help rough sleepers in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: “COVID-19 forced the Government to take urgent action to end rough sleeping. I welcome these efforts, but that action should have been taken years ago, as the Liberal Democrats have long-called for. Now we must seize the opportunity to ensure that we never return to the status quo and end rough sleeping for good.  “The Government must urgently pass legislation to scrap the Dickensian Vagrancy Act, which unfairly penalises people for sleeping rough. Instead we need to support people in finding secure accommodation. The additional funding announced will help, but we need to ensure it is sufficient for the long term. “Ministers must also make sure local authorities can be confident…
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25May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM’s own judgement now in question

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister backing his scandal-hit aide, Dominic Cummings, at yesterday’s press conference, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Millions of people who’ve made huge sacrifices to keep to the rules will be astonished and angry at how the Prime Minister is now bending the rules for his closest aide. “By failing to act, the Prime Minister undermines his own authority to lead the country through this appalling crisis, bringing his own judgement into question. “The Government’s efforts to defeat coronavirus on testing, on PPE for frontline workers and on stopping the tragedy in our care homes are still inadequate. The Prime Minister’s failure to act on this scandal won’t help turn that around. “Conservative MPs must stop defending the indefensible and support our calls for…
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