13May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Moran: Govt must publish scientific advice for reopening schools

Parliamentary news
Following securing an Urgent Question in the House of Commons today, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran has called on the Government to release the scientific advice for reopening schools without delay. Layla Moran also called on the Secretary of State for Education to clarify "what he thinks ‘safe’ actually means?" in regard to the safety of children returning to school, as well as condemning the Government for failing to consult with teachers and unions. Following the Urgent Question, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Layla Moran, said: “Every day that schools remain shut, the disadvantage gap widens and vulnerable children risk falling through the cracks. But that doesn’t mean we should open schools before it’s actually safe. “The Government has failed to consult with school leaders, teachers and unions on the details of its…
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06May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems call for urgent child benefit uplift to cover gaps in “deeply flawed” free school meal voucher scheme

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the “deeply flawed” voucher scheme for administering free school meals during the lockdown to be bolstered by cash to families, in the form of an uplift in child benefit of £150 per week per child, and £100 for every subsequent child in the family. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran has warned the flaws meant that “many vulnerable children are still falling through the cracks and going hungry.” According to the Liberal Demcorats, many parents in rural areas currently have no shop near them that is part of the scheme, and that the complex process for the vouchers disadvantaged families with low incomes and poor internet connectivity. The call comes after MPs on the Education Committee criticised the scheme heavily yesterday. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran…
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01May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems condemn Government over scrapping provisions for vulnerable children

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that last night the Government removed the guaranteed rights of all children with a education, health and care (EHC) plan, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “It is utterly unacceptable that children with EHCPs and their parents had about 7 hours’ notice before their right to provisions was effectively revoked. The Government should be ashamed over how it has handled this.  “At a time when Government should be doing more, they are doing less. Some will say this is pragmatic, but I am deeply concerned that already under-supported children and families are going to fall through the cracks.  “The Government must commit to the money and training needed to maintain standards. With supply teachers desperate for work and retired teachers ready and waiting to come back to help,…
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30Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must not ignore teaching staff in plans for reopening

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will be releasing their plan on reopening schools next week, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Reopening schools can’t be a top-down affair, with politicians failing to consult with those who run our schools. The number and type of risks is complex and will differ from school to school - therefore it is vital the concerns of teaching staff are heard. “The Government needs to work with school leaders now, not later, to put this in place ahead of time. Only when school staff have the PPE they need, as per their risk assessment, should they be able to reopen. “I am glad that the Government have listened to calls from the Liberal Democrats and others to publish a plan for opening schools, but…
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23Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems lead cross-party call for Covid-19 grants to help students in difficulty

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are leading a cross-party call urging the Government to set up emergency Coronavirus Maintenance Grants for students from low-income backgrounds who are struggling as a result of the pandemic. Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, who is leading the campaign, warned students from low-income backgrounds are not able to claim Universal credit but are among the most “economically vulnerable in society during this crisis, and they do not have their parents to fall back on.” MPs representing university towns from across the political spectrum have signed a letter to the Chancellor which also highlights that businesses relying on temporary student labour will find it far easier to hire a new cohort of students to fill vacancies when the shops, pubs and restaurants reopen, rather than furlough students…
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23Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Concerns over impact of school closures for most disadvantaged pupils

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat and Opposition Leader Oldham Council, is concerned over the worrying slump in school performance in Oldham Borough.  Earlier this year before the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19), the Department for Education has published school performance tables based on last summer's GCSEs results (2019).  The tables show that nine out of 16 Oldham schools were ‘below average’.  A further two schools were noted as being simply ‘average’ in their performance.  Councillor Sykes wants additional funding and says the way to get that help is not to mask the problems.  Pupils will now find it even harder to achieve academically and vocationally because of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the closure of schools. “Many teachers and other staff in schools are going more than the extra mile…
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20Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lack of support means laptop offer will fail to help those who need it

Parliamentary news
Responding to the announcement that disadvantaged pupils in England will be able to borrow laptops to study online while schools are closed, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “The announcement, which will help disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils to learn alongside their peers, is of course welcome. But there's an elephant in the room: we don't even know who all the vulnerable and disadvantaged children, who need more support and help, are.  “The Government needs to do much more to try and locate these vulnerable children, otherwise the help they are offering will be futile. With so many families being plunged into financial uncertainty overnight, there are thousands of families desperately in need of support who are not on the Government's radar. “The Government must also agree to an increase in child benefit,…
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20Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must back proposals to help vulnerable children

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran has written to the Secretary of State for Education, calling for a package of measures to help vulnerable children to be introduced as a priority. The measures outlined in Layla Moran's letter include: the recruitment of a volunteer force to identify and contact vulnerable children the convening of a national Emergency Vulnerable Children Taskforcean uplift to Child Benefit of £150 per month per child The package recommended by the Liberal Democrats has been closely informed by the findings and calls of leading stakeholders, including the Children’s Commissioner, NSPCC and Children’s Society.  Following the calls for the government to support her package, Layla Moran said: “This is a national emergency, and the Government needs to take action to reflect that. That’s why the Education Secretary must urgently announce…
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02Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Moran: Extend free school meal vouchers over the Easter holidays

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the UK Government to ensure children on free school meals will continue to receive vouchers over the Easter holidays.  The call follows confirmation from the Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, that children in Wales will also be offered free school meals during the break. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Pupils on free school meals are some of the most vulnerable in our society and often rely on schools to provide their meals. With families struggling at this difficult time there is a real concern these children could go hungry.  "I want to thank my colleague Kirsty Williams for leading the way on this in Wales. The UK Government must now urgently follow suit and ensure money is available for this to…
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28Feb 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Tory plans to step back from Erasmus disastrous for young people

Parliamentary news
Following the publication of the Government’s Brexit negotiating strategy, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran MP has warned that the UK “has one foot out of the door” on Erasmus. Section 21 of the document reveals that the UK will “consider options for participation in elements of Erasmus+ [after 2021] on a time-limited basis, providing the terms are in the UK’s interests.” This suggests that the UK may seek looser membership of Erasmus as a ‘partner country’, which would mean less funding for British universities and colleges to offer student and staff exchanges. Instead, they would be reliant on their partners in EU member states to manage projects and funding on their behalf. Universities have warned that partner country status will mean fewer opportunities to study abroad, higher costs, less…
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