14Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must be more ambitious to save the economy

Parliamentary news
Responding to this morning’s monthly GDP estimate from the ONS, showing that the economy grew by only 1.8% in May – lower than the 5.5% forecast by economists – Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Regrettably this dashes any hope of an early recovery and is bad news for millions of people experiencing real financial hardship. It confirms fears that the Chancellor’s plans just aren’t ambitious enough to rise to the scale of this economic challenge. “The way out of this recession is through a serious Green Recovery Plan that will create millions of jobs, tackle climate change and radically reshape our economy. “Just as crucially, our economy is still threatened by Brexit. If Boris Johnson is serious about rebuilding, he must avert a new crisis by…
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12Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

New Government campaign will fill businesses with horror

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Government's announcement of their new campaign for businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Businesses right across the United Kingdom have struggled to survive financially over the past few months as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The fact that the Government is now trying to force them to gear up and prepare for the end of the transition period will fill them with utter horror. "The coronavirus crisis has been an unprecedented challenge on British business, with many being forced to let go of staff and some even closing their doors for good. As our economy struggles to recover, the Tories dragging us towards another economic hit will mean a vast amount of businesses…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems: Consequences of Chancellor ignoring our high streets already clear

Parliamentary news
Responding to the reports that two of the UK's largest high street retailers, John Lewis and Boots, have announced a combined cut of 5,300 jobs, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney said: “The scale of today’s layoffs show the true extent of the crisis facing British high streets. The Conservative Government had the chance to provide real relief for our high streets in yesterday’s summer statement, but instead the Chancellor did nothing for the vast majority of businesses outside of hospitality. "We cannot allow the Government to forget that behind each job loss statistic lies a household struggling to make ends meet. These job losses will devastate our communities and leave families wondering how they are going to get by in the months to come. "The coronavirus crisis has left…
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22Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

2m review must consider test, trace and isolate strategy

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will announce in the coming week whether the 2m social distancing rule in England will be relaxed, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “The economic and public health impact of the Coronavirus is deeply worrying and has left thousands of families facing financial hardship and uncertainty. We all want to get back to normal life as soon as possible. “However, any easing of the lockdown can only happen once the Government delivers a comprehensive strategy to test, trace and isolate to protect lives and prevent a new surge. “Thus far, the Government has been woefully slow to ramp up capacity and their tracing plans are in disarray. It is clear Ministers failed to prepare properly and have created confusion by badly communicating their…
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12Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must not jeopardise economic recovery with threat of no-deal

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) statistics out today that show the UK's economy shrank by 20.4% in April, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “We face the most serious economic challenge in generations. This is not a time to exit the world’s largest market. This is not a time to increase trade barriers. This is not a time to deny business skills they need with a damaging new immigration system. “Liberal Democrats will continue to make the case for a Green Recovery Plan and policies that back responsible businesses. “We can create jobs and protect the environment by investing in new, green technologies but we need imaginative new policies and strong political leadership. “The Prime Minister should not be putting Britain’s chances for an economic recovery…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government must help businesses and people excluded from support schemes

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that 8.9m jobs have been furloughed & 2.6m claims submitted to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “The furlough scheme and income support for self-employed people, which the Liberal Democrats fought hard to get, are providing a lifeline for millions of families. “However, far too many people are still excluded from this support, including those who recently became self-employed and those who operate as limited companies. The Chancellor must expand the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to cover these people. “The Government must not leave behind people and businesses without the support they need when these schemes come to an end. Many parts of our economy, such as tourism and hospitality, will simply not be back up to speed by October.…
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Government wrong to deny Brexit extension

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports the UK Government will tell the EU on Friday it is not going to seek an extension to the Brexit transition period, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “Food shortages, medicine shortages, and an unprecedented hit to jobs and livelihoods: that is what the UK is facing if we crash out of the EU without a deal. “Boris Johnson's ideological stubbornness will see the most vulnerable in our country hit hardest. “With the country is already struggling as a result of Covid-19, it beggars belief that the Government are happy to pile Brexit on top of this already devastating situation. “Liberal Democrats will continue to urge the Government to think again and extend the transition period.”
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10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Davey: UK needs Green Recovery Plan to counter COVID-19 economic damage

Parliamentary news
Responding to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that predicts the UK economy will shrink by 11.5% and experience the worst economic contraction among developed countries due to the coronavirus, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “Coronavirus has proven to be a bigger threat to people’s jobs and livelihoods than even the financial crash. People are rightly worried about their jobs, their families and their communities. We must ensure no one is left behind. “The UK desperately needs a Green Recovery Plan. We can rebuild the economy and protect the environment by creating jobs through embracing new, green technologies.  “The Prime Minister must also stop the double-whammy of a no-deal by ending the uncertainly and extend the Brexit transition period, protecting access to markets…
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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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