Johnson and Raab must act swiftly to uphold promises to Hong Kong

Responding to reports that China has passed a sweeping national security law giving it new powers over Hong Kong, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong Alistair Carmichael said:  “This new law crushes what was left of the ‘one country, two systems’ framework. It destroys Hong Kong as we know it.  "The UK government must now act swiftly to uphold the promises we made during the Handover. “The people of Hong Kong must immediately be given the right to live in the UK, with a pathway to citizenship. It is not good enough for this offer to only apply to British National (Overseas) (BNO) status holders and their dependants, as the Government have so far suggested. This leaves behind many young Hongkongers who have been at the centre of the calls for democracy. "The Government need to go further. All Hongkongers must have their rights and freedoms protected, regardless of BNO status.  "Liberal Democrats are urging the UK government to ensure that no one is left behind. It is time to step up and stand with Hong Kong.”

New Trade and Agriculture Commission must be a "watchdog with teeth" - Farron

Responding to news that the Government will establish a new Trade and Agriculture Commission, Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson Tim Farron said:

“On the face of it this is a very welcome concession from the Government and is thanks to the brilliant campaign run by the NFU that we’ve been proud to support.

“However, the announcement contained no details about how this new commission will operate or how Parliament will be able to properly scrutinise any new trade deal and the effect it will have on our world-class food, animal welfare and environmental standards. 

“This new body must be a watchdog with teeth that will prevent the Conservatives undermining British farmers, instead of a lapdog that provides cover for the Tories to sell us out in future trade deals.”

Stop spending money on measures that don't prevent crime

Responding to the Government’s statement on prisons yesterday, including the announcement that four new prisons are to be built in the next six years, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “The answer to the prisons crisis is not more prisons. Instead of wasting even more money locking people up, mostly on short sentences that don’t work, the Government should spend it on the things that actually prevent crime. “It’s two years since the Government promised to set up five women’s community residential centres, but we still haven’t seen one. That should be the priority, not more prisons. “The Conservatives are continuing their failed approach: trying to seem tough on crime, without doing enough to actually prevent crime. There are already more people in prison in the UK than in any other country in Western Europe. “Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to take a smarter approach that focuses on preventing crimes, supporting victims and breaking the cycle of re-offending.”

PM must ensure Civil Service is not hollowed out after Sedwill's departure

Responding to news that Sir Mark Sedwill has confirmed he will stand down as Cabinet Secretary, National Security Adviser and Head of the Civil Service in September, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

"Boris Johnson is clearly ready to grant Cummings his every wish when it comes to politicising the civil service and sweeping out those who may try to hold his Government to account.

"Sedwill's departure threatens to introduce yet more instability into the Civil Service at a time when it is already stretched to breaking point by the COVID-19 crisis, the largest economic downturn in living memory and the imminent threat of a no-deal Brexit.

"The Prime Minister must be absolutely clear about any further plans for Civil Service reform, and must guarantee full Parliamentary scrutiny of these. Our world-class Civil Service fulfils a vital role - we cannot afford to see it hollowed out."

The government is failing to stop the spread of Covid-19 in prisons

Responding to the latest Government statistics on COVID-19 in Prison and Probation Service in England and Wales, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:

"With more than 500 prisoners testing positive for coronavirus, but only 175 being released early, it is clear the Government aren’t taking seriously the spread of the virus in our prisons. They have completely failed to end overcrowding in prisons, allowing them to become a crucible for the disease.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Liberal Democrats have been clear it is impossible to practice safe social distancing in prisons whilst they remain so overcrowded.

"Ministers need to release all low-risk prisoners serving short sentences and suspend any new short sentences to alleviate the severe overcrowding. Otherwise the Government will continue to not only fail prisoners, but prisons staff, and their communities."

Lib Dems "delighted" by move to increase protection for abuse survivors in family courts

 

The Government has confirmed it will strengthen protections in courts for survivors of domestic abuse through an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill, following calls from campaigning organisations and the Liberal Democrats. 

During Committee Stage of the Bill, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine tabled an amendment calling for the introduction of special measures in family courts during Committee Stage of the Bill.

The Government has today announced that it will bring in these changes in their own version of the amendment.

Following the Government announcement Christine Jardine said: 

“These latest recommendations to protect Domestic Abuse survivors  in family courts are what we were asking for in the Bill and so I’m delighted the Government is to recognise this with their own version of our amendment.

“Too often, perpetrators use court proceedings to continue their abuse and control. We’ve heard survivors describe how painful and traumatic court appearances can be. These changes will help.

“We’ve already improved the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill significantly since it was first introduced last year, and that’s a testament to the survivors who’ve come forward to tell their stories and the campaigners who have kept the pressure on.

“Liberal Democrats will keep fighting for further improvements, including vital changes to address the barriers to support faced by migrant women, as we bring this badly-needed and long-overdue legislation into law.”

Jenrick must resign or be sacked

Responding to [Department for Business junior minister] Nadhim Zahawi’s comments today suggesting that voters should consider attending Conservative Party fundraisers in their local area if they want access to MPs and local authorities, Liberal Democrat Housing, Communities and Local Government Spokesperson Tim Farron said: 

"The 'defence' of Robert Jenrick is in reality little more than an admission of cash for access. It seems the Tory Party's commitment to the 'levelling up' agenda amounts to sleaze and corruption.

"Every new, scandalous detail that emerges about Jenrick's decision to railroad through a housing deal to help out a Tory donor demonstrates that he is entirely unfit to hold public office.

"People deserve better. Up until a very few months ago, a Minister caught in this kind of situation would have done the decent thing and resigned before now. If they didn’t resign, the PM would have sacked them.

"I have nothing against Mr Jenrick personally, but integrity in politics matters. He must resign today and - if not - the PM must dismiss him or else lose all moral authority."

Lib Dems move to scrap Section 60 Stop and Search

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to back a new Bill to scrap suspicion-less stop and search in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, which have exposed ingrained institutional racism and discrimination in the UK.  

Given the disproportionate impact of current Stop and Search laws on black people in particular, and BAME communities more widely, the Liberal Democrats will today (Wednesday 24 June) introduce a Bill to outlaw suspicion-less Stop and Search, highlighting that the current law "undermines" community trust in police. 

The Party is demanding the Government back their proposal. If passed, the law would prohibit Section 60, suspicion-less stop and search, which currently leaves a black person almost 50 times more likely to be stopped than a white person. The party is further calling for a Race Equality Strategy and an end to the Hostile Environment. 

Ahead of introducing the Bill, Liberal Democrat Acting Leader Ed Davey said: 

“No one here in the UK or anywhere else in the world should have their life blighted by racist discrimination, inequality or injustice. It is unacceptable and must be tackled head on.  

“Suspicion-less stop and search not only doesn’t work, but the disproportionate impact of these laws undermines police officers’ relationships with the communities they serve – the very relationships needed to prevent crime. The Liberal Democrats have long called for this fundamentally flawed law to be scrapped, and today I am introducing a Bill to do just that. 

“The Conservative Government must get behind this Bill and make sure it becomes law. Of course, this has to be part of a broader Race Equality Strategy. We need the UK to move further and faster to redress institutional racism, not least by scrapping the policies at the core of the Tories’ discriminatory Hostile Environment.”

Right the wrong done to Chagos Islanders and respect international justice court ruling

The Liberal Democrats are leading cross-party calls for the Government to adhere to United Nations’ calls for the Chagos islands to be returned to Mauritian control and come good on the promise of a £40m package of support for the Chagossian community.   Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael, who has secured the support of 29 other MPs from across the political spectrum, criticised the Government's “arrogant” rejection of the International Court of Justice's ruling on Chagos and warned it is jeopardising the UK’s credibility on a world stage.   The intervention comes after the UK Government issued a response to the UN Secretary General's report on implementing Resolution 73/295 - which advised it to end the unlawful occupation of the islands - earlier this week.    In a letter to the Prime Minister, the cross-party group quote the Prime Minister of Mauritius who highlighted the connections between the Chagossian struggle and the Black Lives Matter movement by warning “the occupation of the Chagos Archipelago inscribes itself in these historic wrongs.”   Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:   “I’m saddened but not surprised at the Government’s decision to reject the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the illegal British occupation of the Chagos archipelago.   “The ICJ has very clearly instructed the UK to return the island chain to Mauritian control. The Government’s refusal to do so is arrogant and jeopardises our credibility on a world stage.   “The Government must abide by the ICJ’s ruling and ensure the £40m package of support promised to the Chagossian community is paid out in full.”

Debt response must be green recovery plan

Responding to news that public debt has risen to over 100% this month, the first time since 1963, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: 

"This level of public debt hasn’t been seen in generations, but nor have we experienced such a devastating pandemic that has demanded such necessary spending. 

“Many families will rightly worry what comes next. The Conservatives must not slash and burn our public services in response - that would harm our society and harm prospects of growing our economy out of this debt. 

“The best response to this debt is a massive green recovery plan so we can provide the green jobs and the green growth to pay off the debt, get people into employment and tackle the climate emergency at the same time.”

Foreign Office chief’s premature departure raises serious questions

Responding to reports Sir Simon McDonald - permanent secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - is set to retire early after the Prime Minister indicated he wanted someone new after the merger with the Department for International Development, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “Sir Simon McDonald’s premature departure from the FCO will raise many questions. “McDonald has been a constant voice of reason and his absence will be noticed at a time when the Government appear intent on undermining the UK’s position on the world stage. “The Government’s bully boy approach to the civil service is dangerous and counterproductive at such a precarious moment in our country’s history.”

Lib Dems slam £900,000 makeover of RAF Voyager as "absurd waste"

 

Responding to reports that the Government is set to spend £900k to repaint RAF Voyager in the colours of the Union Jack flag, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, Jamie Stone MP said: 

"This absurd waste of nearly £1 million at a time when so many families are struggling to put food on the table and so many are worried about their job security is insulting.

"This government continue to astound with their posturing. It is disgraceful. They should halt these plans and use the money to help those who need it most right now instead." 

Johnson must act to address disproportionate impact of pandemic on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities

Responding to Public Health England’s report on the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups, which highlighted the adverse effects of the Government’s Hostile Environment policy and ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ rule, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented threat, leaving the most vulnerable in society at risk. We must ensure that BAME communities are not left behind by the Government’s response to this crisis. “The Government must act urgently to address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on BAME communities, and to solve the deep-seated inequalities and injustices they face. “It is appalling that the Conservatives’ discriminatory Hostile Environment policies and their refusal to suspend the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ rule are preventing migrants and other BAME people from accessing the healthcare they need during this pandemic. “If the Government is serious about tackling racial injustice, the Home Secretary must end the Hostile Environment and give migrants access to Universal Credit during this crisis.”

PM's decision to scrap DFID shows Govt turning its back on most in need

Responding to the Prime Minister's decision to merge the Foreign Office and Department for International Development, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for International Development Wendy Chamberlain said: "Not content with depriving disadvantaged kids of their free school meals, the Prime Minister is now choosing to abolish the department whose job is to support the most vulnerable people around the world. "UK aid prevents suffering. The Liberal Democrats have always made absolutely clear our unequivocal support for Britain’s role as a world leader in providing aid to those most in need. By working internationally we can achieve so much more than we can alone.  "This decision shows the extent of the Prime Minister’s determination to see the UK turn its back on the world.” Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey added: “Boris Johnson has wanted to use the 0.7% for international aid for his own political projects ever since entering government. This news comes as the most vulnerable brace themselves for the Coronavirus, which has already torn through many countries. “In the last 24 hours this Government has refused to offer the poorest children in the UK free school meals. They have now turned to cutting funding away from some of the worlds poorest. Boris Johnson is playing culture war games and some of the most vulnerable people here at home and abroad are paying the price.”

Lib Dems call on PM “not to turn your back” on child refugees

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to commit to resettling 10,000 unaccompanied refugee children from elsewhere in Europe over the next ten years, following the closure of the Dubs scheme last month.
 
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine warned child refugees who have been “forced to flee their homes and separated from their families” and is urging the Government to “do all we can to protect them.”
 
In a letter to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, over 40 Liberal Democrat parliamentarians call on the Government to reverse its position in the Brexit negotiations not to seek to maintain the current arrangements to reunite unaccompanied asylum-seeking children with their family members.
 
The Dubs scheme, closed by the Government last month, resettled 480 unaccompanied refugee children despite the original cross-party “Dubs amendment” providing for 3,000 children to be resettled.
 
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:
 
“Child refugees who have been forced to flee their homes and separated from their families are some of the most vulnerable people in the world. We must do all we can to protect them.
 
“The UK has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need, but now the Conservative Government is turning its back on child refugees and failing to live up to our obligations to them.
 
“The Liberal Democrats are standing up for child refugees and fighting for their rights to a safe home and hope for the future. The Government must listen.
 
“Providing refugees with safe and legal routes to sanctuary in the UK is the best way to combat people smuggling and human trafficking, and to prevent people from making dangerous attempts to cross the Channel.”
 

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

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 in jeopardy by insisting on an arbitrary Brexit transition deadline and risking a devastating no-deal."

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

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 across Europe.

“We can also now see, by international standards, the Government failed to prepare properly for a pandemic and has been slow to act. There must be an independent inquiry to review the Government’s actions.”

Patel and Johnson must abolish suspicion-less stop and search

Today Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has written to the Prime Minister calling on him to abolish harmful section 60 suspicion-less stop and search powers. Black people are disproportionately likely to be stopped and searched by the police, and for suspicion-less stop and search the figures are particularly stark. Last year there were there were 4,858 searches of black people and 2,669 of white people, meaning that a black person is 47 times as likely to be subject to Section 60 Stop and Search as a white person. Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: "Under suspicion-less Stop and Search powers, a Black person is 47 times more likely to be stopped and searched than a white person.    "On too many occasions stop and search seems to mean being black is enough to suspect someone of being a criminal.   "Boris Johnson must abolish suspicion-less Stop and Search powers and end the pain and injustice they wreak on so many people from Britain’s black and minority communities."

Davey statement after call with the PM

Yesterday Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey took part in a call between the Prime Minister and all the opposition parties.
 
Davey quizzed the PM on plans to help self-employed people, called the PM to extend the transition period, and to confirm whether there would be an independent inquiry on the Government’s handling of the Coronavirus crisis.
 
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:
 
“Families and businesses need support and stability to get through this crisis. I asked Boris Johnson to provide more help for self-employed people, particularly those who have had no support so far. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, cleaners, childcare providers, and millions more self-employed people have seen their incomes evaporate as people rightly stay at home to save lives. They desperately need the Government to support them.
 
“I also called on Boris Johnson to extend the transition period to try and give the economy some stability. The Government simply must get their priorities in order and put the national interest ahead of Brexit ideology.
 
“Lastly I asked the Prime Minister to confirm there would be a full independent inquiry into the Coronavirus so that we can learn from the mistakes that have been made, and ensure our care homes and communities are never thrown into a crisis like this ever again.”

 

New flexible employment rights for carers in Bill proposed by Ed Davey

Liberal Democrat Acting Leader, Ed Davey, will today introduce a Bill in the House of Commons to give carers more rights to flexible working, helping them balance employment with caring responsibilities. The Equality Act 2010 currently requires employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for people with disabilities to help them work, which can include physical adjustments as well as adjustments like a more flexible approach to working. Ed Davey’s Bill today would extend that requirement to include carers who are looking after disabled people.  Under Ed Davey’s Bill, carers would be in a stronger position to ask for flexible working, allowing them to better balance their caring responsibilities with their job. A survey by the Disability Law Service found that 52% of carers who had made requests for flexible working had them rejected. Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “I was a young carer for my mum, and I’m a parent to a disabled son, so I know the challenges carers face every day. “Britain’s employment law doesn’t give carers the support they need as they try to juggle their caring responsibilities with going to work. A genuinely caring society should allow them to do both. My Bill would ensure that when a carer makes a request to work flexibly, the law is behind them. “This is good for carers, who will have more freedom, but it’s also good for employers, who can tap into the talents of the estimated 6.5 million carers in the UK.  “As this is National Carers’ Week, I hope the Government will adopt my Bill and offers carers more than warm words.”

Government must help businesses and people excluded from support schemes

  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.

“The Government must bring forward bespoke packages of support for these industries to save jobs and prevent mass unemployment.”

Johnson wrong to deny Brexit extension

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."

Derisory increase in asylum support is appalling

Responding to the Immigration Minister announcing an increase in Asylum Support from £37.75 a week to £39.60, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

"People will be appalled that the Home Office thinks that a derisory increase of less than £2 a week to £5.66 a day is somehow sufficient for vulnerable people to live on during this crisis.

“The way the Home Office is treating these vulnerable people is unacceptable. People who’ve come to the UK having fled war or persecution should be welcomed with compassion and enabled to contribute to our society, not trapped in poverty.

“Instead of this miserly raise, the Government should urgently increase Asylum Support by £20 a week. Ministers should also finally give asylum seekers the right to work, allowing them to fill essential roles during the pandemic, as well as giving them a sense of dignity, more money and the ability to contribute to the economy.”

Empty pharma stockpiles

Responding to reports that No Deal Brexit stockpiles have been “significantly reduced and/or used up entirely” because of the Covid pandemic, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

“These reports show the recklessness of the government’s approach to Brexit negotiations and protecting our economy and NHS.

“The stockpiles created to protect against the risk of a no deal Brexit have now been used up, and building them back up to safe levels by the end of the year is going to be very difficult. 

“So by pushing the UK into a no deal Brexit the Conservatives could be putting more lives and more jobs at risk.

“The calls to extend the transition period have come from people who voted leave and remain a like. The government must put national interest ahead of Brexit ideology and extend the transition period.”

Lib Dems to use emergency debate to warn Rees-Mogg is threatening public health

The Liberal Democrats will today use an emergency debate in Parliament to warn Jacob Rees-Mogg that if an MP falls ill to COVID-19 or there is a spike in cases because of travel to and from London then he must take personal responsibility and resign. The debate, secured by Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael MP, was agreed following alarm at Business Secretary Alok Sharma becoming unwell with COVID-19 symptoms in Parliament last week. The Orkney and Shetland MP believes Mr Sharma’s condition “should be a wakeup call for the Government” and makes clear that forcing physical proceedings “exposes MPs, our families and our constituents to risk.” The Liberal Democrats are demanding the Government accept the public health risks of denying MPs who are shielding the right to represent their constituents and commit to remote voting. Ahead of the debate, Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said: “Tens of thousands of people have already died during this pandemic. To protect vulnerable people, we should all follow public health advice and work from home when we can. “I am relieved that Mr Sharma does not have coronavirus, but his condition last week should be a wakeup call for the Government. Forcing physical proceedings exposes MPs, our families and our constituents to risk. “There are no two ways about it. If an MP falls ill to COVID-19 or there is a spike in cases because of travel to and from London then Jacob Rees-Mogg must be ready to take personal responsibility and resign. “The Government has the chance to think again. Remote voting worked and they must change course and allow all communities to have their voice heard.”

Protect the vulnerable from modern slavery

Responding to the statistics released on victims of modern slavery in Quarter 1 2020, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

"The extent of modern slavery here in the UK is shocking. As coronavirus has spread, so has modern slavery yet the Government is failing to act on this rise we have seen since last year.

"The coronavirus crisis has seen thousands of people lose their livelihoods overnight and Ministers simply are not doing enough to prevent people from falling into financial hardship and then, tragically in too many cases falling into modern slavery. The fact that some of the most vulnerable in our society are being left at risk shows the urgent need for the Government to act. 

"Enforcement agencies must be able to conduct labour inspections and act to prevent exploitation during the pandemic. This requires not only workplace inspectors to be provided with sufficient personal protective equipment, but they need additional funding to ensure they can enact additional preventative measures in high-risk sectors.

"Modern slavery is a scourge on our society, it is time the Government acted to eradicate it."

Responding to the statistics released on victims of modern slavery in Quarter 1 2020, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

"The extent of modern slavery here in the UK is shocking. As coronavirus has spread, so has modern slavery yet the Government is failing to act on this rise we have seen since last year.

"The coronavirus crisis has seen thousands of people lose their livelihoods overnight and Ministers simply are not doing enough to prevent people from falling into financial hardship and then, tragically in too many cases falling into modern slavery. The fact that some of the most vulnerable in our society are being left at risk shows the urgent need for the Government to act. 

"Enforcement agencies must be able to conduct labour inspections and act to prevent exploitation during the pandemic. This requires not only workplace inspectors to be provided with sufficient personal protective equipment, but they need additional funding to ensure they can enact additional preventative measures in high-risk sectors.

"Modern slavery is a scourge on our society, it is time the Government acted to eradicate it."

Lib Dems call for legally binding targets to restore natural world

On World Environment Day, the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Conservative Government to take “radical action” to restore and protect nature.  In a letter to George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Liberal Democrat MPs urge the Government to show “global leadership” on this issue, after the UN Environment group highlighted the link between zoonoses, including coronaviruses, and the destruction of the natural world.   The Party calls for key measures to be introduced ahead of COP 26 next year, including a Nature Act, which would set legally binding near-term and long-term targets for improving water, air, soil and biodiversity, and measures to expand accessible green space. Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Climate Emergency and Environment said:  “The UN has drawn a clear link between the current public health crisis and the destruction of our natural world. We need to act now to protect our precious planet for future generations. Protecting nature has got to be at the heart of any plan to tackle the climate crisis.  “Despite the fact that we’re hosting the COP-26 conference next year, the Conservative Government has not shown enough ambition when it comes to protecting and restoring nature right here in the UK. We need to see legally binding targets for water and air quality and other key measures.   “Robust action is the only way to achieve the long-lasting change we so urgently need. That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling for investment to restore key habitats like peat-lands, woodlands and salt-marshes, to help promote biodiversity and build resilience against extreme weather events. “The Conservative Government has the power to act and they must not hesitate.”

Tariff proposals show Johnson's willing to break his word on Brexit yet again

Responding to reports that the UK Government is considering accepting tariffs as part of any UK-EU transition deal, Liberal Democrat Brexit and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:  

“This proposal is the latest chapter in a long story of the Brexit reality failing to meet Boris Johnson’s rhetoric.

“Johnson told British businesses, including farmers, they’d have tariff free access to the EU market. 

“But just as he promised Northern Irish businesses that there would be no checks in the Irish Sea, and consumers that we wouldn’t have chlorinated chickens on our shelves, it seems that this too is an issue he is willing to break his word on. 

“The Government risks selling out UK farmers and industry all for their ideological Brexit.”

China is being wilfully ignorant with Hong Kong response

Responding to reports that China has warned the UK to “step back from the brink” over UK criticism of Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: 

"China's Foreign Ministry are being wilfully ignorant. The Sino-British Joint Declaration was not a unilateral announcement but a clear joint legal text, lodged at the UN. The clue is in the name.

"Both the UK and China made promises to the people of Hong Kong during the Handover. Under the Joint Declaration, Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems' way of life was to be protected and enhanced.

"Beijing has shown increasing contempt for the Joint Declaration and it is clear that the government must now ensure all Hong Kongers are given the right to live in the UK. Liberal Democrats will continue to urge the UK Government to expand the BNO offer they have outlined."

Government must urgently scrap Vagrancy Act as part of plan to end rough sleeping

Following yesterday's announcements from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary and Dame Louise Casey relating to support for rough sleepers, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said:  

"After years of prevarication it took a crisis to get the Tories to house thousands who were sleeping rough at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's vital that this support continues in the months ahead, to ensure we don't go backwards when such progress has been made.

"Ministers must now show they are completely committed to tackling this issue head on.

"That is why the Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to commit to scrapping the Dickensian Vagrancy Act - which unfairly criminalises people for rough sleeping - as a matter of urgency. Otherwise the law remains wholly incompatible with the plans outlined to support rough sleepers in the long term."