15Dec 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Unemployment rise shows Sunak’s failure to protect jobs from pandemic

Unemployment rise shows Sunak’s failure to protect jobs from pandemic

Parliamentary news
Responding to the unemployment figures released today, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “These figures are a condemnation of this Government's failure to get a grip on the pandemic's impact on jobs, leaving far too many families worried about how they are going to put food on the table this Christmas. "The Chancellor's constant chop-and-change approach to the furlough scheme and his inability to put together a comprehensive plan to save jobs is taking a huge toll. "The Government must ensure furlough stays in place until at least June – and extend support to the three million people who still remain excluded from any support whatsoever. Just as crucially, Ministers must ensure there is an Adjustment Period for businesses before new trade rules begin, to avoid a second spike…
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23Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must extend support to protect local jobs, Lib Dems warn

Government must extend support to protect local jobs, Lib Dems warn

Borough news, Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to continue furlough support until it is safe and extend support to those who have so far been excluded by the Government. Acting leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP, who is asking the public to join the party's campaign to protect workers, warned that the Government must not "undo the work and threaten mass unemployment." According to government statistics published this week, 32,000 of people in Oldham have benefited from the job retention scheme. Government statistics also show a further 8,900 people in Oldham are receiving financial support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, following a successful campaign by the Liberal Democrats. However, the party has warned some of the worst hit are the country's self-employed workers, three million of whom…
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14Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must compensate people forced to miss work in order to quarantine

Government must compensate people forced to miss work in order to quarantine

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that people arriving in the UK from France and a number of other countries will have to quarantine for 14 days from 04:00 Saturday 15 August, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “It's right that the Government is taking steps to minimise the risk of COVID-19 by updating the 'travel corridor' as the situation overseas evolves. "However, the Foreign Office must acknowledge the significant disruption and disappointment this will cause. All impacted customers must have the chance to reschedule or be offered a full refund, and the Government must underwrite these commitments. "Ministers must also get real about the financial pressures on those forced to choose between obeying the quarantine rules and going out to work, and agree to compensate people who will lose out…
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08May 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must act to stop mass redundancies in critical moment for our economy

Parliamentary news
Responding to Bank of England forecasts which show the UK economy could shrink by 14% this year, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “This is a critical time for our economy. The number one economic priority is avoiding mass redundancies by extending the furlough scheme. Businesses must have the time and space to recover. Jobs and business support schemes cannot be removed too early or completely. “Without Government action, jobs could be lost on a massive scale and the economy could spiral. “The Government must also take immediate steps to extend the Brexit transition period. Uncertainty over our relationship with our closest trading partner will hurt the economy even more. Risking the UK leaving transition with no deal is unbelievably irresponsible. “We must above all keep people…
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