New strategy needed to beat terror

In the wake of the recent terrorist outrages in the UK Liberal Democrats are calling for a bold change of strategy to defeat terrorism and counter violent extremism. At the heart of the strategy being proposed is proper funding and resourcing for community police. The Liberal Democrats are calling for proper funding of community policing and working with affected communities to fight against terrorism and violent extremism. In addition, cooperation with European neighbours is critical to our safety. The perpetrators of these attacks were often known to the police or suspected by the community. In addition, they are also calling for the government to scrap the failed prevent strategy, and replace it with a community-led programme called ‘Engage’. Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said: "Terrorists are breaking through Britain's security defences so it's time to look again urgently at what's working and what isn't. “Conservatives just want more of the same, believing mass surveillance is key, subjecting everyone to intrusion, not just genuine suspects. "Their desire to undermine encryption for our messages would actually leave us less safe: leading figures from the security services rightly argue, encryption helps to guarantee our safety. "Coupled with their police cuts, when police can be vital sources of intelligence at the community level, the Conservatives are failing to do everything sensible to protect us. “The Conservatives apparent willingness to throw out key protective mechanisms like the European Arrest Warrant and Europol, just to appease the hard Brexiteers in their Party, shows just how unfit they are to govern”.

Lib Dems call for pause to "shambolic" Universal Credit roll-out

The Liberal Democrats have demanded a pause in the roll-out of Universal Credit, which according to charities, councils and housing associations is a disaster in slow-motion. A mandatory six-week wait to receive a first payment is causing people serious difficulties, with over half of new claimants having to borrow money to make ends meet. Universal Credit's policy of making claimants pay landlords rent directly has also led to a major spike in rent arrears. The Liberal Democrats are demanding that the roll-out be halted until major reforms are put in place, including ensuring those moving to Universal Credit get an Advance Payment and reducing the wait at the start of a claim. The party has called on Labour to back a pause in the Universal Credit roll-out before it accelerates dramatically in October and causes more hardship for millions of families. Stephen Lloyd, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson, said: “We support the principle of Universal Credit, which is to help the disadvantaged into work. "But the roll-out of Universal Credit so far under the Conservatives has been utterly shambolic. "Families waiting weeks for their first payment are having to borrow money to make ends meet and rent arrears are going through the roof. “As if this wasn’t enough, Conservative cuts to the amount people can earn before their benefits are reduced are destroying incentives to find work, while inflation is eroding the value of those benefits even further. “That is why today I am calling on the Labour Party to work with us in demanding that the Government pause the roll-out of Universal Credit, before it is too late. "These problems must be resolved, before more innocent people have their lives wrecked by this heartless and incompetent government.”

"O Canada! Please help" - May

Responding to the news Theresa May plans to use the existing EU-Canada trade deal as the basis of a new trade agreement with Canada post-Brexit, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said:

“Theresa May is racking up air miles desperately trying to recreate what we have already.
 
“This copy and paste Brexit is a huge waste of time and resources.
 
“Can ministers point to a single country that has responded to their plea for new and improved trade deals?

“The government is pointing to a boost in drinks and spirits exports, but we'll need to keep enough to drown our sorrows given their shambolic handling of Brexit."


 

Armed forces desperately need a pay rise

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to immediately lift the pay cap on the armed forces to address a growing recruitment crisis. Currently, a newly trained private on £18,488 would see a £351 real-terms pay cut next year once inflation is taken into account. The Liberal Democrats would raise wages in line with inflation, meaning a newly trained private would get a pay rise of £536 up to just over £19,000. Latest figures show the number of fully trained regular Army soldiers has dropped to 77,940, way below the 2020 target of 82,000. Voting at conference, the party also called for improved support for the families of those serving in the armed forces and an urgent review into skills shortages. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary Judith Jolly said: “Men and women who serve in our Armed Forces deserve the utmost support and respect for their sacrifice, but sadly this government has let them down. “Too little has been done to address the chronic low morale amongst those currently serving, and the country is being put at risk by failures to recruit new people with specific skills needed for 21st century warfare. “The Liberal Democrats today are proposing a number of new measures to support current, former and prospective Armed Forces personnel. "These include lifting the 1% pay cap to give our armed forces the pay rise they deserve, "We also need better support for families of those who serve and new recruitment initiatives for technical skills. “We cannot afford to sit back and watch this situation deteriorate further. These actions are critical for the security of our country, and to ensure that those who serve and their families are given the support they deserve.”

Cable: Boris' £350m lie exposed by UK stats authority

Boris Johnson’s repetition of the claim that Brexit will create £350 million a week to spend on the NHS has been criticised as “a clear misuse of official statistics” by the head of the UK Statistics Authority. Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable commented: "Boris' £350m lie has been exposed yet again. "He knows an extreme Brexit would damage the economy and mean less cash for the NHS. "I'm glad to see the independent UK Statistics Authority has the courage to slap Boris down. "It's a shame the same can't be said of Theresa May."

May must use Florence speech to guarantee rights of EU nationals

The Liberal Democrats have called on Theresa May to use her speech next week in Florence to change course and unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU nationals, to prevent a 'Brexodus' of thousands of nurses and teachers working in Britain’s schools and hospitals. In a conference motion passed today, the party demanded that the government urgently publish a review into the impact its Brexit policies are having on staffing shortfalls in public services. There are over 60,000 EU nationals working in the NHS, making up 10% of doctors and 7% of nurses. In addition, there are nearly 100,000 EU staff working in the social care system. Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake commented: “The Conservatives’ insistence on an extreme Brexit poses a clear threat to our public services. “Already the government’s stubborn reluctance to guarantee the rights of EU nationals is making thousands of nurses and teachers from Europe question their future here. “Plans to double the immigration skills charge and clamp down on EU migration risk making the recruitment crisis facing teaching and nursing even worse. “The Government should urgently publish a review into how its policies on Brexit and immigration will affect staffing shortages in the public sector. “Theresa May must also use her Florence speech next week to guarantee the rights of EU nationals and prevent a damaging Brexodus from our schools and hospitals.”

Boris repeating the £350m lie doesn't make it true

Responding to Boris Johnson's Telegraph article in which he repeats the claim Brexit will lead to £350m for the NHS, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake commented: "Boris Johnson should know that simply repeating a lie doesn't make it true. "Crashing out of the single market would severely damage our economy and mean less money for the NHS, not more. "This Brexit fantasy is a transparent attempt to appeal to Conservative right-wingers and prepare the ground for a leadership bid. "With the Tories increasingly hell-bent on an extreme Brexit, it is crucial we fight to stay in the Single Market and offer the British people a way out of this mess."

May must face down Boris, the Poundland Trump - Cable

Vince Cable has launched a powerful attack on Boris Johnson ahead of the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth. The Liberal Democrat leader has challenged Theresa May to slap down her Foreign Secretary and show some leadership after Johnson sought to sink May's proposal for a transitional Brexit deal, before a likely Johnson putsch for the Conservative leadership. Vince Cable said: “Boris Johnson is on manoeuvres, which means everyone else should take cover. “He clearly thinks that Theresa May is on the verge of a U-turn which would lead to a transitional deal that would keep us in the single market. Boris Johnson sees this as his chance to bag the top job, so is pushing for a far more extreme Brexit. This might play well with hard right Conservative MPs but would be a disaster for the UK economy. “Theresa May must slap down Boris Johnson in the strongest terms or she will lose the last vestige of her authority to negotiate Brexit. The cabinet is more split than an oak tree struck by lightning. Britain desperately  needs political grown-ups who will put the country first, not a Poundland Donald Trump like Boris Johnson.”

Voter ID plans risk undermining our democracy

Government plans to introduce voter ID at five local authorities next May risk "undermining democracy" by preventing people from voting, the Liberal Democrats have warned. Around 3.5 million voters would not have any of the required forms of photo ID if the measure was introduced across the UK, according to estimates by the Electoral Commission. Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake commented: “Introducing voter ID at polling booths is a solution to a problem that is almost non-existent in the UK. “This is a completely unnecessary move that risks undermining our democracy by preventing millions of people from voting. “Evidence from around the world tells us forcing voters to bring ID won’t stop determined fraudsters, but is likely to lead to even lower turnouts amongst young people and minority groups. "We should be encouraging people to vote, not excluding them.”   Frank Little, local Lib Dem party secretary added: "As far as Wales is concerned, this is a solution in search of a problem. No party in the Welsh Assembly has raised a question about personation. In my thirty years' experience of campaigning throughout South Wales, I have come across only one challenge. Even this turned out to be the result of an innocent mistake."

May should not use Irma to attack 0.7% aid target

Commenting on Theresa May's attack on the 0.7% aid target in relation to the UK's response to Hurricane Irma, Liberal Democrat International Development Spokesperson Shas Sheehan said: “It is shocking to see Theresa May using a natural disaster to launch a political attack on the 0.7% target. “The UK should be doing everything it can to help people affected by Hurricane Irma, both in UK territories and in the rest of the region, and which budget that comes from is frankly irrelevant. “The European Union’s Development Fund has given millions of euros in funding to a number of the British territories which are impacted. “Instead of trying to score cheap points by attacking aid rules, the Prime Minister should be asking the EU for support with the relief effort, and taking advantage of the benefits of our membership while we still have them.”

Cable: Rise in interest rates would hurt indebted households

Vince Cable has warned that hiking interest rates would hurt indebted households, after the Bank of England hinted today it may raise rates in the coming months. The Bank of England's nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee voted today by 7-2 to keep interest rates on hold at 0.25%, amid sluggish growth and a squeeze on household spending. However, the nine policy-makers then stated that "some withdrawal of monetary stimulus was likely to be appropriate over the coming months." Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable commented: “The Bank of England's decision today shows that the UK economy is still too weak to be taken off life support. "Despite interest rates being at a historic low, growth is already anaemic, wages are falling and consumer spending is fizzling out. "Raising rates would push up borrowing costs at a time when many squeezed households are increasingly relying on credit. "With the embarrassing lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations weighing more on businesses every day, the risk of Britain tipping into recession is very real.”

May must stump up the cash for police pay rise

The Liberal Democrats have challenged the government for making police forces fund their own pay rise without providing any additional cash. In an urgent question in Parliament before the conference break, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael warned that  requiring police forces to spend more without increasing their budgets risks leading to cutbacks to services. Home Office Minister Sarah Newton responded by claiming that police forces are "sitting on reserves" and that these could used given the "extraordinary circumstances." Liberal Democrats say that asking police forces to raid reserves to fund their own pay rise is insulting and threatens to stretch police budgets even further. Alistair Carmichael MP commented: "The Government refuses to acknowledge that the additional £50m that police forces are now being asked to find will likely result in cutbacks elsewhere. "If the Prime Minister really wants to reward those on the front-line keeping us safe, she needs to stump up the cash. "These callous calculations barely disguise the contempt the Conservatives have for those in the public sector.”

£1.14bn election is price of May's vanity

Commenting on reports that the total bill for the snap general election was over £140 million, Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip said: “Not only has Theresa May spent over £140 million of public money on an election she promised not to call, her failure in that election forced her to bung £1 billion more of our money to the DUP. The British taxpayer is paying for May’s mistakes. Yet she tightens the purse strings when it comes to paying for our essential services or giving nurses a pay rise. “She takes lessons from Ebenezer Scrooge when it comes to the people but Wayne Rooney when it comes to her vanity. “It is a frightening prospect for this country that someone this poor with the public purse is left in charge.”

Vince Cable responds to Sky Fox merger being referred to CMA

Responding to the news that Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has referred the 21st Century Fox bid to buy Sky to the Competition and Markets Authority, Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable commented: "I am glad that Karen Bradley has shown courage in the face of pressure from the Murdochs. "This referral is completely justified on grounds both of plurality and broadcasting standards. "It is now over to the Competition and Markets Authority to properly scrutinise this bid and stand up for a plural and independent media. "In the current climate, media outlets in this country are particularly vulnerable to takeover because of the weakness of the pound. Media power should not be an auction to the highest bidder."

Brexit Britain must not be arms dealer of choice for repressive regimes

The Liberal Democrats have warned post-Brexit Britain must not become the "arms dealer of choice" for repressive regimes, after Michael Fallon said the UK should increase arms exports after Brexit. It comes after Liberal Democrat research revealed that in the past year, the UK has sold £1.2bn of military equipment to countries listed by the government as having poor human rights records, including Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Myanmar. In total the UK has sold arms to 25 of the 29 states listed as "human rights priority countries" in the Foreign Office's annual Human Rights and Democracy report. The top countries receiving UK arms were Saudi Arabia (£300m), China (£250m) and Russia (£191m). Myanmar was sold over £900,000 of equipment by the UK, including £500,000 of military equipment between January and March 2017. Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake commented: “The UK should be leading the way in ensuring deadly weapons are not sold to countries that violate human rights such as Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and Venezuela. “Instead, the Conservatives seem determined to turn post-Brexit Britain into the arms dealer of choice for dodgy dictators and repressive regimes. “Selling more weapons abroad will not compensate for the economic harm caused by an extreme Brexit. It will only do more damage to the UK’s standing in the world.”

Shock Toyota Brexit statement

The Liberal Democrats have attacked the government's "car-crash Brexit" after Toyota said it might shift production out of the UK due to the Conservative Brexit government allegedly withdrawing assurances that Britain would continue to enjoy tariff-free access to the single market post-Brexit. Toyota announced £240m plans in March to begin upgrading its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire after apparently receiving written assurances from the government that car exports from Britain would not attract duty. Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake MP said: "The Conservatives are leading us to a car-crash Brexit. Ministers must come before the House to explain this dramatic and worrying change of heart from Toyota. We must see the written assurances ministers first gave the car company, and we must hear whether ministers can still assure manufacturers that Britain will continue to enjoy full and unfettered access to the single market and customs union post-Brexit. "These are real jobs and real homes of real people under threat because ministers still don't have a coherent negotiating position. "If major companies such as Toyota are worried, the British people should be worried. That is why the Liberal Democrats, alone among the major parties, will fight to the very last ditch to stay in the single market and customs union."

Govt accused of "sinister power grab" after committees vote

The Liberal Democrats have accused Theresa May of a "sinister power grab," after the Conservatives won a vote to give themselves a majority on powerful parliamentary committees. The controversial change will give the government the means to force through legislation, including on Brexit. A Liberal Democrat amendment was defeated, with the government winning with a majority of 20. Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael commented: "This is a sinister power grab by an increasingly authoritarian Prime Minister. "The Tories didn't win a majority at the election, but are now hijacking parliament to try and impose their extreme Brexit on the country. "It is a bitter irony that Brexiteers who spent their careers championing parliamentary sovereignty have now chosen to sell it down the river. "This wilful eroding of parliament's ability to scrutinise legislation sets a deeply worrying precedent. "It is now incumbent on all MPs to work together to hold this government to account."

Vince Cable responds to pay rise for police and prison staff

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to lift the pay cap for all public sector workers to avoid a "recruitment crisis" for teachers and nurses. It comes after the government announced that prison officers will get a 1.7% rise while police will get a 1% pay rise plus a 1% bonus for the year. Recent figures have shown there are 11,400 vacancies for nurses and midwives in the NHS, while 34,910 teachers left the profession last year for reasons other than retirement. Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable commented: "It is good to see the government finally recognise that the public sector pay cap is no longer sustainable. "The cap must must now be lifted across the board so all public sector workers are given the pay rise they deserve. "Nurses, teachers and other public sector workers are set to be hundreds of pounds worse off in real terms as a result of rising inflation. "Unless urgent action is taken, the recruitment crisis in nursing and teaching will only get worse."

Cable calls on May to stand up to American “bullying” on Bombardier

Vince Cable has raised American “bullying” that could threaten jobs in Northern Ireland. The Liberal Democrat leader intervened in House of Commons today (Tuesday) to call on the government to stand up to Boeing and members of the Trump administration. This is to protect jobs at the Bombardier factory in Belfast that could be lost due to potential American sanctions against the Canadian aircraft manufacturer. Vince Cable said: “The UK government must commit itself to standing very firmly behind Bombardier and its workers, and alongside the Canadian Government in resisting bullying from Boeing and its friends in the United States administration. We must make clear that we are prepared to retaliate by not buying aircraft or components from Boeing because this should work both ways." N.B. The European Union continues to claim that Boeing benefits from discriminatory treatment in the United States.

Lib Dem response to government's position paper on security

The Liberal Democrats have challenged the government on its latest position paper, this time on security and defence. Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake MP said: "It is interesting how the government now says the EU is central to Britain’s security and diplomatic needs. What a contrast to the EU referendum campaign when leading figures in the current government claimed the EU played no role in our security. “This U-turn begs the question why ministers such as Boris Johnson, through their insulting and rash statements, have chosen to destabilise the very relationships that those arrangements are based on. “Despite all their warm words, this government’s determination to push through an extreme Brexit threatens to leave Britain isolated and alone on the word stage. “In particular, the EU27 has insisted that to share security information we would need to accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and Theresa May has expressly ruled that out. It is time Theresa May decided whether propping up her leadership by pandering to her right wing is really more important than our safety and security.”

David Davis ruling out EEA is throwing our best card away

David Davis last week ruled out membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) during a transitional deal, while admitting the government may need to take "formal steps" to leave the agreement. The Liberal Democrats have insisted that the decision to leave the EEA and therefore the single market must be subject to a vote in Parliament. It comes as the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned that the "UK cannot have the benefits of Norway and the weak constraints of Canada." Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake commented: "David Davis is needlessly ruling out an option that could prevent a catastrophic Brexit and protect British jobs. "This isn't keeping cards close to your chest, it's throwing our best cards away. "The EU has made it clear that a 'cake and eat it' approach for the UK won't be possible, which is why staying in the EEA and customs union remains the best and easiest option. "The decision to leave the EEA must be subject to a parliamentary vote, so MPs have the opportunity to protect jobs and prosperity by keeping Britain in the single market." Frank Little, Aberavon & Neath party secretary adds; "By rejecting any single-market option, the May government is turning the clock back not just forty years to before our accession to the European Community and Common Market, but ten years further back when we were in the European Free Trade Area."

Theresa May's "banana republic" power grab

The Liberal Democrats are tabling an amendment to prevent Theresa May's attempts to rig parliamentary committees and ram through the government's hard Brexit plans. A controversial government motion set to be voted on Tuesday evening would give the Conservatives a majority on all key parliamentary committees, despite the party losing its majority at the election. The Liberal Democrat amendment to the motion will aim to reverse the proposed changes and keep the current procedure, in which the political make-up of committees reflects Parliament as a whole. Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable commented: "Liberal Democrats will work with other parties to resist this attempt to undermine British democracy. "Eroding democratic institutions and rigging the rules in your favour is something we'd expect from a banana republic, not a Conservative government. "Theresa May promised to act with humility and listen to the message sent by the British people after she lost her majority. It is now up to MPs to hold her to that promise and prevent this shameful power grab.”

Criminal justice review by David Lammy MP

Commenting on the Lammy Review, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Justice Jonathan Marks said:

“This thoughtful and comprehensive report exposes the racial biases that still exist in our criminal justice system. Its findings are shocking and prove beyond doubt that innate prejudices, however unintentional, still infect every level of the system.

"The report's findings as to how unfairly the system treats young people are particularly worrying. The Government must consider and respond to this report very carefully. We need a plan for effective and swift action to eliminate the unequal treatment of ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system. Warm words, however well-intentioned, will not do."
 

May can't ignore this one

The Liberal Democrats have demanded that Theresa May "started acting like a prime minister" after open briefing broke out against rival Brexit positions in her own government, as reported on the front page of The Times. Liberal Democrat MP and former cabinet minister Alistair Carmichael said: "The prime minister cannot allow members of her government to undermine the Chancellor. She must call in the guilty parties to urgently explain themselves after they went beyond government policy by seeking to bounce the prime minister and the Chancellor into an even more extreme Brexit than the one they were planning. "That an aide to the Chancellor and a Brexit minister can organise a revolt against the apparent official policy of their own government suggests that this Conservative administration is in some kind of meltdown. "It is very hard to see how Suella Fernandes can remain as an aide to the very Chancellor she is apparently undermining. "Surely now, in the interests of presenting a united front in negotiations on behalf of the United Kingdom, Theresa May must assert her authority. It is time she acted like a prime minister."

Brexit papers leak unravels claim that Irish border not impacted

Commenting on the leak of the EU's Brexit position papers, Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, said: "This leak demolishes another of the Leave campaign's fantastical claims - that Brexit would have no impact on the Irish border. "As long as the Government push for a hard Brexit, no end of 'blue skies thinking' will find an innovative, frictionless solution to the border issue. "The only solution is to keep the UK in the Single Market and the Customs Union.  This will ensure that prosperity and peace in Northern Ireland is maintained."

Alienation of young Muslims

Commenting on the Social Mobility Commission’s study that young Muslims living in the UK are being held back from reaching their full potential at every stage of their lives, Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable said:

“There are some very worrying facts here which help to explain why there are a lot of alienated young Muslims. Their chances of getting a job are significantly worse than for the rest of the population.

“While the wider population is ageing rapidly, half of British Muslims are under the age of 25 and a third are under 15. The government must take action to ensure discrimination and prejudice doesn’t hold Muslims back in the workplace and society.

“That is why the Liberal Democrats would require companies to publish data in the way they already do on gender, for BAME employment and pay gaps. We also need blind recruitment in public and private sector to ensure no one faces discrimination based on their identity."

Brexit: May fires starting-gun on letter-writing contest

Commenting on news that Downing Street have approached leaders across a number of British businesses, including FTSE 100 companies, asking them to sign a letter backing the government's Brexit strategy, Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable said: 

"It's interesting the government want to start a letter signing competition on this. I rather suspect the number of businesses wanting to remain in the single market and customs union far exceed those gagging to leave it. 

"It's already becoming clear that their so-called transitional arrangement, designed to appease the business community, is not going to work.

"The government has unwisely made a unilateral commitment to break the rules around freedom of movement and in doing so, won't be able to secure the agreement of the EU on transitional trading arrangements. 

"Rather than wasting their time touting for signatures, the government should be concentrating on making swift and concrete progress in these vital Brexit negotiations. As it stands, the UK risks crashing out of the EU without any deal at all, with disastrous consequences for our economy."

Cable: David Davis, what are you doing with our money?

Following David Davis' comments in the House of Commons that MPs would not be given a vote on the final divorce settlement, leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said: "This is yet another example of the government undermining parliamentary sovereignty. At the end of it all we must have a first referendum on the whole package.                       "We want a vote on what David Davis is doing with our money."

Home Office suppressed multiple reports on immigration

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has weighed into the row about a leaked Home Office report on immigration post-Brexit by saying that the Home Office under Theresa May suppressed up to nine reports which showed that immigration did not hit wages or jobs of existing UK workers. Vince Cable said:  “When I was Business Secretary there were up to nine studies that we looked at that took in all the academic evidence. “It showed that immigration had very little impact on wages or employment. But this was suppressed by the Home Office under Theresa May, because the results were inconvenient. “I remember it vividly. Overwhelmingly it has been the case that overseas workers have been complimentary rather than competitive to British workers. "The exodus of trades people, NHS staff and tech industry workers shows the potential damage of an extreme Brexit."

RN "pre-pack" shipbuilding strategy - Lib Dem response

Commenting on the announcement today by the defence secretary of a new 'national shipbuilding strategy', Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Judith Jolly said:

“My party welcomes the jobs that this programme will bring to shipyards across the country. But every ship needs a captain, and every captain needs a crew. Urgent assurances are needed about the personnel who will run these ships in the future.
 
“In the latest Armed Forces Attitude Survey, only 33% of personnel said they felt valued by their service, and recruitment and retention numbers continue to plummet. The latest pay review also highlighted particularly high rates of voluntary outflow among Royal Navy engineers.
 
“The government need to take immediate measures to reverse this worrying exodus of talent, and ensure that we have the necessary personnel to run these vessels once they are completed.”

Lib Dems draw lines in sand over EU Withdrawal Bill

The Liberal Democrats are fighting against attempts by the government to push through sweeping new powers in the EU Withdrawal Bill. Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake MP will table a reasoned amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill highlighting a number of problems with the current proposals, including a lack of proper legislation to the establishment of new regulation agencies. Instead of allowing for proper scrutiny by parliament to replace the numerous EU agencies in UK law, at the moment the replacements for bodies such as EURATOM and the European Medicines Agency will simply be created by secondary legislation, with little chance for MPs, industry bodies or experts to scrutinise proposals. Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, commenting ahead of the Second Reading of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill on Thursday said: “This Bill represents a major threat to the sovereignty of Parliament and no amount of tweaking and fiddling will make a silk purse of this sow’s ear. “The Liberal Democrats will fight to fix this Bill and if it is not changed we will vote against it at Second Reading. "In its current form the legislation denies parliament its centuries-old right to scrutinise bills and instead hands extreme powers to the government. "Far from taking back control, the Bill as it stands is an affront to democracy."

Latest warnings reveal police are failed by government - Davey

Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, president of the Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales, has warned that a 'perfect storm' was leaving forces with fewer officers who are working longer hours.   Commenting, Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Hardworking police officers are being failed over and over again by a government that continues to show blatant disregard for officers' well-being. “The Conservatives need to rethink their entire approach to our emergency services. They have failed them for too long and we are  on the verge of a major crisis. “Our police forces keep us safe. It is frightening that Theresa May can be so callous about the mental health of those serving our communities. “The impact of police cuts overseen by Theresa May in the Home Office are now really starting to bite. "Liberal Democrats would boost funding to the police to enable local police forces to recruit desperately needed officers. In the meantime a step in the right direction would be to lift the public sector pay cap. A small sign that the government recognise the hard work and sacrifice made every day by police officers up and down the country.”

Scrapping public service pay cap long overdue

Responding to reports today suggesting that the Conservatives will scrap the public sector pay cap in the Autumn budget, Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable said: 
 

"Reports that the Conservatives will look to end the pay cap in the Autumn budget are welcome but this is long overdue.

“The situation has changed since the public sector pay cap was first introduced, at a time when there was a real budget emergency and fear of large scale unemployment.

“The issue we face now is very different. We are struggling to recruit and retain public sector staff and the effects of this recruitment crisis are being felt across the board, from our schools to our hospitals.

"We must end the pay cap now and give our public sector workers the pay rise they deserve, after years of seeing their pay packets cut in real terms."

Cable slams Fox braggadocio

Commenting on the latest comments from international trade secretary Liam Fox, that we will not be “blackmailed” by the EU, Lib Dem Leader Vince Cable said: 

"It's far from clear how it helps the country to have this war of words continue, now fuelled by Dr Fox's latest comments.

“This confrontational approach suggests the government is dangerously relaxed about a collapse in negotiations, regardless of the very real risks to our economy if we crash out of Europe.

“It has become clear from this week’s embarrassing trade mission to Japan, and to India last year, that these countries have very little interest in a separate trade deal with Britain. Fox should concentrate on the uphill struggle he is facing, rather than trying to distract with tub-thumping rhetoric.”

Cable on May's pledge to go on and on

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has said that Theresa May's apparent determination to lead the Conservative Party into the next election is a decision that is unlikely to be hers to make. Vince Cable said: “Within hours of Theresa May saying she will fight the next general election, Conservatives have been lining up to say that she won't. Far from strengthening her leadership position, she has weakened it. She pledged to lead the Conservatives into the next election, but she also pledged not to call a general election. “With half her cabinet and even Jacob Rees-Mogg on manoeuvres, this might not be her decision to make. “And the vow of undying loyalty from Boris Johnson will have done little to calm fraying nerves in Downing Street. “Ministers should be focused on getting to grips with their shambolic Brexit strategy and fight for the national interest. Instead they are clearly worrying about their own careers and the worsening Conservative in-fighting.”

May's hopes of Japan trade deal dashed

Theresa May's hopes of a rapid trade deal with Japan have been dashed, after she was forced to admit in a joint statement (pdf here) with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe that the "immediate priority" will be finalising the trade deal between Japan and the EU. The statement adds that the UK and Japan will seek to establish a new economic partnership after Brexit. However, in the joint press conference Mr Abe stopped short of committing to a rapid new trade deal after Brexit, saying only that the two leaders would discuss the issue. Instead, the Japanese Prime Minister stressed the need for a smooth and orderly Brexit that minimises disruption for Japanese investors in the UK. Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael commented: "Theresa May went to Japan seeking a new trade deal, she’s now had to admit the biggest priority will be completing the one the EU is already negotiating. “Once again the promises of the Brexiteers have been dashed on the rocks of reality. “It’s a sign of the Prime Minister's weakness that rather than going abroad to fight for British jobs, she’s been forced to desperately fight for her own. “The chances of the UK getting a trade deal with Japan before Brexit are about as slim as the odds of Theresa May staying on to fight the next election."