22Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems urge rapid action to enable MPs to vote remotely during crisis

Parliamentary news
Ahead of today's House of Commons Motion to progress plans for MPs to vote remotely whilst social distancing measures remain in place, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain said:  “Parliamentary scrutiny is more important than ever during the coronavirus crisis, especially given the emergency powers needed to keep people safe. “It is right that, like everyone else, MPs stay at home as much as possible to protect the NHS and save lives. Changes to allow MPs to vote remotely are therefore absolutely vital and Liberal Democrats have been calling for them since the start of this crisis. “Now Parliament must put in place the procedures to make remote voting a reality as soon as possible, so that MPs can do our jobs and pass urgently needed legislation to improve people’s lives. Secure…
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20Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must be held accountable for coronavirus failings

Parliamentary news
Responding to Michael Gove's appearances on Sophy Ridge and Andrew Marr, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Michael Gove's media round further reveals a government in crisis. It is becoming clearer day by day that this Government is failing to respond effectively to the spread of coronavirus. “The fact that the damning report in the Sunday Times is only ‘slightly off beam’, will further alarm many. The Government must be held accountable for their initial failure to take this virus seriously, especially when it's clear the issues the country is now facing, such as the dire lack of PPE, was raised by many, including ourselves, months ago. “Today, the Liberal Democrats have put forward a support package that would help ensure our frontline workers get the protective equipment they need and…
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16Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must act to stop renters becoming homeless

Parliamentary news
Responding to the new research from Shelter showing that an estimated 1.7 million private renters say they are likely to lose their job in the next three months because of the coronavirus crisis, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for MHCLG Tim Farron said: “Many renters up and down the country will have lost their livelihoods overnight due to the coronavirus crisis. We already know millions of people are simply not able to afford their rent at the moment and the fact that another 1.7 million are likely to lose their jobs over the coming months shows that this crisis is far from over. “Before the coronavirus crisis even hit, the end of a private rented sector tenancy was the leading cause of homelessness. The housing crisis has been continuously ignored over the past five years and now the financial impact…
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16Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government still failing to provide essential protection for carers

Parliamentary news
Responding to Health Secretary’s press conference, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Promoting the use of the Care Badge, initially announced in March 2019, is welcome. Carers throughout the country are making enormous sacrifices to care for people during the Coronavirus crisis and must be recognised alongside NHS workers.  “Yet while we welcome the badge, Ministers have still not managed to provide all carers with the protection they desperately need. “It is regrettably becoming clear that the Government is failing to deliver on key promises to care workers, especially over supplies of protective equipment. “We simply cannot send tens of thousands of frontline workers to care for people as they fight this virus without adequate protection. The lack of sufficient protective equipment is a national scandal; many health and care…
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14Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Care home coronavirus outbreaks show need for PPE and testing for frontline staff

Parliamentary news
Responding to the daily press conference in which it was reported that 13.5% of care homes have had an outbreak of coronavirus, with 92 care homes declaring an outbreak in the past 24 hours alone, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Care homes provide a home for some of the most elderly and vulnerable people right across our country. Statistics showing that 13.5% of care homes have faced an outbreak of coronavirus are therefore incredibly worrying. “The Liberal Democrats have long been calling for the staff at care homes, along with NHS staff and social care workers, to be provided with adequate personal protective equipment as well as tests to diagnose if they have the virus. “These frontline workers are caring for the most vulnerable in our society. It's vital the…
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Test of Government funding is how quickly cash reaches NHS and councils

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Chancellor's announcement of additional funding for the NHS and local authorities, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The coronavirus crisis is stretching our NHS and local councils to the limit so this crisis cash injection has been urgently needed for several weeks. “Yet it’s vital this cash gets out much more quickly than normal and reaches the right places - especially in getting protective equipment to NHS and social care staff and assisting local authorities in supporting the most vulnerable, from the frail elderly to the homeless and domestic abuse victims. “Council leaders have been understandably sceptical about Ministers’ willingness to support local communities with vital early, substantial cash injections. “The test of this announcement is whether councils see the money they need now,…
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PPE rollout must extend to all social care workers

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Health Secretary, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Munira Wilson, said: “Frontline workers are putting their lives on the line every single day to protect us. In turn, we have a moral obligation to do all we can to protect them. While unacceptably late, it is welcome news that the Government has finally come forward with a plan to distribute PPE. “As an absolute priority, the Government must ensure an urgent rollout of PPE and testing not just to all NHS staff but also all social care workers in order to protect both themselves and the most vulnerable. This rollout out must also be accompanied by the clear, unequivocal guidance which keeps all our frontline staff safe.”
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government not doing enough to provide PPE to frontline staff

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Home Secretary's comments about failures to roll out the correct equipment to protect frontline workers in the NHS and social care, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Throughout the crisis, Liberal Democrats have been supportive of all the efforts to beat coronavirus. We continue to agree with the experts that people must stay at home to save lives.  “Yet over the last few days, it has become clear that the Government is failing to deliver on key promises to NHS and social care workers, especially over supplies of protective equipment. Ministers look in danger of losing control. “We simply cannot send tens of thousands of frontline workers to care for people as they fight this virus without adequate protection.  “The lack of sufficient protective equipment is…
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must expand emergency accommodation for people suffering domestic violence

Parliamentary news
Responding to Priti Patel's announcement that the Home Office is working with charities to provide an extra £2m for domestic abuse support, Liberal Democrat's Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “This announcement is of course welcome, I am relieved the that the Home Secretary is taking steps to tackle the terrifying rise in domestic violence.  “However, the Home Secretary can still go much further. For far too many people, their home is not a place of safety. Many thousands of people are in the horrific position of being isolated in the same place as their abuser. “The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Home Office to work closely with hoteliers so that their hotels can be used as emergency accommodation, with the Government covering the costs. “The Government must act now to ensure that anyone who feels…
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13Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must convene Emergency Vulnerable Children Taskforce

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the lockdown is putting vulnerable children at risk, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “It’s deeply worrying that vulnerable children may not have the support they need whilst they are unable to attend school due to the lockdown. “Liberal Democrats have already successfully campaigned for school meals to continue over Easter, but this is just one of the many problems vulnerable children face. The Government must ensure the well-being of these children and their families during the lockdown. “Gavin Williamson must convene an Emergency Vulnerable Children Taskforce, including headteachers, police, NHS and social services to ensure best practice is being spread, we have absolute assurance that in these trying circumstances safeguarding our most vulnerable children is a top priority.”
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