13Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Record high hate crimes must be combatted

Record high hate crimes must be combatted

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on anyone "with the privilege of a public platform – including Government Ministers" to "condemn the irresponsible and divisive rhetoric that inflames hatred", as new official figures show hate crimes have risen to a new record high. The Home Office figures, released today, show that: 105,090 hate crimes were recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2019-20 – a new record high.There was a particularly big increase in hate crimes against LGBT+ people, with a 19% year-on-year increase in sexual orientation-based hate crimes and an 18% increase in transphobic hate crimes.There was a big spike in the number of racially- and religiously-motivated hate crimes in June and July 2020. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “Far too many…
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15Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems condemn Government decision to scrap GRA reform

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will ban conversion therapy, but has dropped plans to simplify the gender recognition process, Liberal Democrat Equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “We have fought long and hard to ban conversion therapy, but if the Conservatives think the fight for LGBT+ rights ends there, they are very wrong. “The Liberal Democrats will always stand up for equality and human rights for all, and that includes reforming the Gender Recognition Act to make it easier for people to gain legal recognition of their gender identity. “With trans people continuing to face discrimination, harassment, and experience lower wellbeing, shelving reform of the Gender Recognition Act will continue the suffering of far too many across the UK. “It is time the Government stopped preventing trans people from living freely,…
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