16Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories’ reckless brinkmanship on UK-EU trade risks livelihoods

Tories’ reckless brinkmanship on UK-EU trade risks livelihoods

Parliamentary news
Responding to George Eustice's comments on Sophy Ridge on Sunday, suggesting that next week is “a week when things need to move” for the UK and EU to agree to a trade deal, Liberal Democrat Brexit and Trade spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Up and down the country people are watching and waiting for the Conservatives to deliver the UK-EU trade deal that they have promised, and that we desperately need. The urgency of this situation could not be clearer. "Yet, with just weeks until the end of the transition period, the Tories' reckless brinkmanship continues to put people's livelihoods and vital supply chains at risk. Our economy is already in crisis due to Covid-19. We need absolute reassurance that Ministers will not take our economy over a new cliff edge.…
Read More
13Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Economic recovery requires “comprehensive” strategy not more “last minute” Government plans

Parliamentary news
Responding to the latest figures showing that UK GDP grew by 15.5% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020, but that GDP is still 9.7% below where it was at the end of 2019, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The growth in the last quarter is testament to the hard work of people in all sectors after the first lockdown. But our economy still has a mountain to climb and hasn't been helped by the Government's mistakes in the first wave of coronavirus. “With a new lockdown in place in England and strict restrictions in other parts of the UK, people are increasingly worried about their jobs and livelihoods. The support the Government has given to date has simply not been adequate. "To ensure recovery we need a…
Read More
10Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Unemployment rise sits squarely with the Chancellor

Unemployment rise sits squarely with the Chancellor

Parliamentary news
Responding to the reports that the UK's unemployment rate has risen again, to 4.8% in the three months to September, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “These figures show clearly the scale of the hardship coronavirus is causing. The responsibility for that sits squarely with the Chancellor and his chop-and-change approach to job support, and refusal to recognise the needs of the excluded. "Liberal Democrats had warned the Chancellor that this would be the consequence of his actions. He must now commit to a long-term plan that will save as many jobs as possible, including keeping the furlough scheme in place until June 2021, and he must urgently extend support to the three million taxpayers that have been excluded since the start of the crisis."
Read More
01Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM must properly plan ahead to protect jobs and lives, warns Davey

PM must properly plan ahead to protect jobs and lives, warns Davey

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's announcement that England will go into a second national lockdown until 2 December, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Yet again, Boris Johnson dithered, delayed, and ignored expert advice. He was too slow in March and too slow again now, and his failure to lead has cost lives and jobs. "People across our country have sacrificed so much, waiting for Ministers to act and keep our families safe. Instead, the Government asks even more despite failing to deliver an effective test, trace and isolate system. "The priority must be keeping people safe and ensuring no one is left behind. We need a real plan in place to protect jobs, businesses and the self-employed, not least an immediate u-turn on ending furlough. Unlike before,…
Read More
22Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Economic support plans made “on the hoof” are failing millions

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have accused the Chancellor of "making up plans on the hoof" when it comes to financial support for businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19. Responding to the Chancellor's statement in the House of Commons today, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Yet again the Chancellor is taken by surprise by events unfolding exactly as predicted months ago. He has utterly failed to address the gravity of the economic crisis, with people and businesses facing devastating pressure across the country. “Beyond tinkering around the edges of the Job Support Scheme and correcting some of its blatant errors, he has offered nothing for those slipping into poverty. 67% of salary is just not enough for people to get by on. The Chancellor is making up plans on the…
Read More
13Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Rising unemployment shows Chancellor must do more

Rising unemployment shows Chancellor must do more

Parliamentary news
Responding to the statistics released this morning showing that unemployment has reached 4.5%, the highest level in over three years, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Today's figures throw into stark and depressing relief the scale of the issues facing families and businesses and act as a reminder that the Chancellor must extend more help. “Liberal Democrats have warned that by prematurely ending the Furlough scheme, this Government is potentially leaving thousands to face ruin. “Responsibility sits squarely on the Chancellor’s shoulders. Instead of dismissing lost jobs as not viable, he should be working day and night to protect people's livelihoods. “Generations will judge whether this Government has taken every conceivable step to protect people’s’ livelihoods and futures, or tossed them on the unemployment pile marked non-viable.”
Read More
09Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Slow economic growth reinforces need for furlough extension

Slow economic growth reinforces need for furlough extension

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to extend furlough as new figures reveal growth in August was slower than the expansion seen in both June and July. Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “These figures make it clear that despite the massive effort people have made to fight this virus and its economic implications, the road to recovery is going to be rockier than we feared. “The Chancellor has to recognise that people, businesses and the economy need more support than he is currently offering. Furlough has to be extended until next June and broadened to support everyone. “It’s not good enough for the Chancellor to say dismissively that he can’t protect every job, because frankly it’s his job to try to do exactly that and make…
Read More
09Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group at risk of collapse shows need for furlough extension

Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group at risk of collapse shows need for furlough extension

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group is at risk of collapsing after it filed a notice to appoint administrators, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The fact that thousands of jobs are at risk as Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group faces collapse clearly underlines the extent of the challenge to businesses across the UK and to all of those struggling to get by. "Rishi Sunak cannot simply dismiss those struggling as not viable, and pretend that somehow the economy is on anything like a path to reopening. "The Chancellor must announce today a guarantee of more support for those who desperately need it, including extending furlough until next June and broadening it to support everyone. If the Government doesn't roll out more support these job losses will just…
Read More
25Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Ed Davey opens Lib Dem conference

Ed Davey opens Lib Dem conference

Parliamentary news
Speaking on the opening of the Liberal Democrats' first digital conference today, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has warned the coronavirus crisis is taking an "enormous toll on people’s lives and livelihoods" and urged his Party to listen, challenge Boris Johnson's Conservatives and fight for what people really need. He said: “The coronavirus crisis is taking an enormous toll on people’s lives and livelihoods. People are worried about their loved ones and millions of families are facing financial hardship. "To represent communities across the country – Liberal Democrats need to listen. We need to be a Party of aspiration, relevance and compassion that understands how we can deliver more of what small business owners, nurses, teachers, parents, carers and communities really need. "That is why, this weekend, we…
Read More
24Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Chancellor’s Job Support Scheme “falls short of what people need”

Chancellor’s Job Support Scheme “falls short of what people need”

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have warned that the new Job Support Scheme outlined by the Chancellor "falls short of what people need" and are calling on the Chancellor to outline financial support measures for people still excluded from the Government's schemes. Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The Chancellor's statement is welcome in as much as it finally extends employment support as Liberal Democrats have called for, but it is late and falls short of what people need. "To announce new measures only a month before the furlough scheme ends when businesses and ourselves have been calling for it for months is unacceptable - particularly when the budget has also been cancelled. "We need to know what the Chancellor is going to do to help the three million people still…
Read More