09Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must ensure coronvirus help is getting to businesses

Parliamentary news
Responding to ONS figures today that show only 40% of businesses feel confident they can keep trading through the coronavirus crisis, Acting Leader of Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “These figures show the unbelievable strain that businesses throughout the UK are under. The Government has come up with several helpful measures but it seems that some of them, particularly the business loans scheme, are just not getting to the businesses and people that need them.  “That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to review the  Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and to allow alternative lenders to loan money to small businesses particularly allowing the growing fin tech industry to help. “The coronavirus crisis is going to be a painful time for businesses and individuals. The Government must constantly review their…
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09Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Home Secretary must answer concerns of Passport Office staff

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that the Home Office has told Passport Office staff to go back to work next week despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Passport Office staff are rightly deeply concerned about being told to go back to work next week, just as the coronavirus pandemic is expected to reach its peak. “The Government must ensure safe working conditions for everyone keeping vital public services going during this crisis. And the Home Secretary must come forward to address the concerns of her staff. “It’s time Priti Patel answered important questions about this and numerous other coronavirus-related issues, from emergency police powers to support for refugees and survivors of domestic abuse.”
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08Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dem Chief Whip calls for all-party meeting on parliamentary proposals

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrat Chief Whip has today called for an urgent all-party meeting to discuss remote working for Parliament, including a special committee of MPs, chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, to scrutinise the Government’s coronavirus response.  In a letter to the Chief Whips of all parties in the House of Commons, Alistair Carmichael MP warned the necessary constraints caused by the spread of coronavirus mean “we must consider alternative arrangements.” The letter follows confirmation from the Speaker of the House of Commons has backed calls for a "virtual" Parliament to allow MPs to keep on scrutinising the Government during the coronavirus outbreak. Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael said: “People deserve reassurance that their representatives can fulfil their duties wherever they are in the country, even in these exceptional circumstances.…
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07Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must strengthen guidance on PPE in social care settings

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports in the Health Service Journal that plans are in place to deliver 30 million pieces of personal protective equipment to social care providers, Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care said: “Many social care staff, who are on the frontline of this crisis, will feel a huge sense of relief at the prospect of finally receiving personal protective equipment. “However, the suggestion from Ministers that supplies should be prioritised for those who currently have "close unavoidable contact with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases" is like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. We should be doing everything possible to stop transmission of the virus into care settings in the first place, as well as onward transmission when a patient already has the…
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05Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems lead cross-party call for improved mental health support amidst Covid-19 crisis

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have secured cross-party and third sector support for their call for the Government to improve mental health support during the coronavirus crisis.Writing to the Secretary of Health, the cross-party group of Parliamentarians have expressed fears that government advice to stay at home will leave people “worried about coronavirus, their jobs, housing” and “anxious about their family’s health and their own.”Over 40 MPs from across the political spectrum have signed the letter highlighting the “inextricable link” between mental and physical health and urging the Government to: launch a publicity campaign signposting the mental health support available during the coronavirus crisis.send public health leaflets, which include advice on looking after mental  health and signposts to organisations that can offer mental health support during the crisis, to all homes.increase the level of funding for mental health charities offering support during the coronavirus crisis, to reduce pressure on the NHS. The Mental Health…
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05Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call for scrutiny through virtual Parliament

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that the Prime Minister has invited opposition party leaders to attend a briefing on the coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “We will of course engage with the Government about its strategy to tackle the coronavirus during this national crisis, continuing the constructive approach to questioning we have adopted from the start. “There are vital issues to address, not least how testing capacity is expanded faster, how our frontline health and social care staff access proper protective kit and how to cushion the economic crisis so groups of people aren’t unfairly excluded and our most vulnerable citizens aren’t left behind.  “The best way to work together to combat this crisis is to ensure opposition parties are able to question the Government effectively…
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05Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must go further to prevent Covid-19 crisis in prisons

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the Ministry of Justice will temporarily release risk-assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading in prisons, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “It's a relief to see that the Government are finally listening to prison governors, who have been warning of a Covid-19 crisis in overcrowded prisons for weeks. This decision should have come much sooner given the scale of the threat. “The Government must urgently take steps to further reduce risk in prisons, including releasing all low-risk prisoners serving short sentences - not just those already reaching the final months of their sentence. This would significantly reduce overcrowding in prisons, better protecting prison staff, prisoners and - by reducing transmission - help our NHS.”
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05Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Shifting goalposts for ventilator targets risks public confidence

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Health Secretary's statement today on the Andrew Marr Show that the required target for ventilators has been lowered to 18,000 from 30,000, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Rather than shift the goalposts for vital equipment like ventilators, the Government must be realistic in the promises it makes during this crisis. Ministers are now risking losing public confidence in their ability to meet the goals already set out, whether on increasing the number of tests or the availability of personal protective equipment for frontline health and social care staff.  “The vast majority of people will do whatever they can to support the NHS, protect their loved ones and help in their communities through this crisis. In return, people want to be reassured that every single avenue is being explored…
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03Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dem concern over ‘chopping and changing’ of PPE guidance

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the Government has issued updated guidance on Personal Protective Equipment for NHS staff, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “While it is right that stricter guidance is now in place to give staff the best possible protection, the Government's chopping and changing of guidance on personal protective equipment does nothing to inspire confidence. “The reality remains unchanged: many NHS workers lack anything close to adequate PPE. They are risking their own health, the health of their loved ones and their patients, as a result. Some have resorted to their own makeshift alternatives in the face of shortages, from skiing goggles as eye protection to turning old OHP slides into visors. This is simply not good enough. “It is imperative that the Government lays out in no…
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03Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must set out when every NHS and social worker will be tested

Parliamentary news
Responding to the announcement from the Health Secretary that the Government aims to carry out 100,000 tests a day by the end of April, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “While Liberal Democrats have full confidence in the Chief Medical Officer, the response from Government Ministers where coronavirus testing is concerned has been disgracefully slow. “Moves now to increase testing are welcome, and we hope they succeed, but NHS workers’ confidence has been shaken after previous promises from the Secretary of State that have not been delivered. We need much greater transparency now.  “The Government must also explain why the UK’s level of testing is still so low compared to some other countries and set out exactly when every NHS and social worker will be tested.”
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