Lib Dems offer ‘Fathers' Month’ of paid parental leave for new dads

The Liberal Democrats will introduce an additional month of paid parental leave for fathers to encourage greater sharing of parental responsibilities.

The policy will build on our achievement of introducing Shared Parental Leave which ensured new parents could make decisions which work best for their family.

Many fathers would prefer to spend more time with their children in the period after they are born. The Liberal Democrats want to make that a real possibility giving opportunities for new fathers to spend quality time with their newborn children. 

Jo Swinson, who introduced the original Shared Parental Leave in the Coalition Government, said:
 
“The Liberal Democrat introduction of Shared Parental Leave was a massive step towards more equal parenting, and recognising the vital role that fathers play. Parents across the UK have already benefitted from greater flexibility and freedom in how they share the care for their new baby.
 
“But more needs to be done in order to encourage men to take leave when they become a dad, to bond with their child during the early weeks and months of their life.  Research shows that fathers being more involved in their children's lives is good for children's development and good for the health and happiness of the whole family.
 
“That is why the Liberal Democrats want to give dads across the country the chance to spend more time with their children.

“A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to change the direction of this country. If you want an open, tolerant and united Britain, this is your chance.”


Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat Shadow Business Secretary, said:

“Creating a fair system for parents everywhere not only benefits new mums and dads but also helps our business sector.

“Having a workforce that is both more flexible and more motivated will benefit UK businesses greatly.

“It is the Liberal Democrats who are standing up for fairness and flexibility for parents. Theresa May has never cared.” 

Candidates announced for Aberavon and Neath

It is confirmed that the local Liberal Democrat candidates in the general election to be decided on June 8th are:

Aberavon:  Cen Phillips

Neath: Frank Little

Conservative defence chicanery

Responding to the Conservatives' announcement on defence spending, former Liberal Democrat leader and ex-Royal Marine Paddy Ashdown said:
  
“This Conservative government has slashed funding on defence, cut our Royal Marines and left our troops on the front line without basic equipment.

"Billions has been spent on big ticket items that we may not even have enough troops to use. 

"Of course adequate spending on defence is welcome and necessary, but this is a piece of last-minute chicanery to cover up the Conservative's dismal record. 

"No wonder Britain's top generals have accused the Tories of trying to deceive the public over defence cuts.

"It shows why Britain needs a strong opposition to hold the Conservatives to account."

Farron: We must reinstate post-study work visas for STEM graduates

The Liberal Democrats have made a commitment to reinstate post-study work visas for graduates in STEM subjects who find suitable employment within six months of graduating. The manifesto commitment aims to tackle Britain’s chronic shortage of workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths. The current system has driven away talent with global students choosing to study in America, Australia and Canada who have programmes to retain talent post-study. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “It is ludicrous that we take in international students, train them, and then as soon as they are skilled and ready to work, the Conservatives boot them out of the country. “British universities are world leaders that attract some of the most talented individuals from around the globe to the benefit of the UK economy. But instead of encouraging them to stay here and contribute to keeping Britain at the forefront of cutting-edge research, this Conservative Brexit Government forces them out. And all in a vain attempt to meet an artificial and unachievable immigration target. “The Liberal Democrats want to build a Britain that is open, tolerant and united. This means bringing in and fostering talent, helping to boost our economy and keep Britain an attractive destination to study. This is your chance to change Britain's future. ”

Brake slams May for Calais border U-turn

Responding to an admission yesterday by Theresa May that she would have to renegotiate the Le Touquet border treaty with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron, Lib Dem Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Brake said:  “Theresa May has adopted UKIP’s rhetoric, and now she is adopting their incompetence too. “The Conservatives have repeatedly claimed that Brexit will have no impact on border agreements with France, but now the Prime Minister has admitted that they are up for negotiation. "Changes to Le Touquet will mean an upheaval for people travelling across the Channel, and risk making our country less secure.” Theresa May’s plan to fine ferry companies if they let illegal immigrants slip on board their ships was dismissed by the Liberal Democrats as a “shambles”. Tom Brake said: “Theresa May has already acknowledged that thanks to her version of Brexit Britain’s border could move from Calais back to Dover. Now ministers are reportedly contracting out border controls, demanding that ferry companies will be responsible for screening vast numbers passengers, some of whom may turn out to be illegal immigrants. “The result will be ferry companies hiking prices for consumers or going out of business. This is a shambles. Ferry companies are not border guards. They cannot be expected to control what large numbers of police and immigration officials already struggle to.”

Lib Dems set out plans to close the ethnicity pay gap

Today, Liberal Democrats set out plans to introduce mandatory reporting on the ethnicity pay gap for organisations with 250 employees or more. Employee ethnicity data is currently patchy at best and there is no uniform way to collect it making monitoring and analysis difficult. The Liberal Democrats believe that every person, regardless of their ethnicity, should be allowed to reach their full potential in the workplace. Announcing the policy, Tim Farron said: “Jo Swinson fought an uphill struggle against the Conservatives in Coalition to get gender pay gap reporting into law, but the fight doesn’t stop there. It is shocking that in 21st Century Britain inequality that comes down to race still persists. "Sunlight is always the best disinfectant and by bringing these gaps out into the open we can start to address the issue and speed up progress to create a more equal and fair workplace.” Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat Campaign Spokesperson and former Business Minister added: “The gender pay gap and the BAME pay gap are a sign that we are failing to make the most of talent in the workplace, which is bad for our economy. "Information is powerful, but while organisations are allowed to get away with keeping patchy records, we'll never know the full extent of the gap. Gender pay gap reporting is already making employers look again at how they attract, retain, promote and pay women and men. "Transparent data on the BAME pay gap will help employers focus on what they need to do to ensure equal opportunities at work for people of all ethnic backgrounds. "The Liberal Democrats believe that in order to grow the economy we can leave no one behind, it is not only morally just but good business-sense to close the gap.”

May's failing immigration target will only harm economy - Paddick

Responding to reports that the Conservatives are sticking to their failed 10,000 immigration target, Shadow Home Secretary Brian Paddick said: “This is yet another Conservative pledge that they will inevitably break.Theresa May seems to have forgotten everything she learnt in the Home Office – you cannot have a successful economy if you restrict immigration that much. It seems like the Conservatives are intent on harming our economy, first with a Hard Brexit that will yank us out of the Single Market and cost jobs, and now this. "The Brexiteers told us that leaving the EU would mean we could be more generous to our Commonwealth partners, it is now clear that this was another Leave lie. "The Liberal Democrats are the only party standing up for an open, tolerant and united Britain where immigration is controlled but welcomed as something that adds value to our economy and our communities."

The Tory and Socialist faces change, but the policies are the same

Kramer responds to Labour tax pledge

Responding to plans to be set out by the Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor, Susan Kramer said: “Labour’s so-called tax pledges aren’t worth the paper they’re written on, given their inability to form a proper opposition, let alone a government. “McDonnell and his party have voted to rip Britain out of the Single Market, yet has no credible plan for the future of our economy and no guarantee to employers that they won’t be hit with a new jobs tax. Labour has a spending list as long as your arm yet does not explain how to pay for it. “The Liberal Democrats are the only party winning votes off the Conservatives across the country, and fighting for a UK which is open, tolerant and united.”

Lib Dems make manifesto commitment to protect pensions Triple Lock

Pensioners will receive at least an extra £772 per year by 2021 under Liberal Democrat manifesto plans to protect the Triple Lock.  The party are making the commitment to older people unlike the Conservatives who have repeatedly refused to give the guarantee. This guarantee means the state pension is expected to be worth at least £137.15-a-week by 2021, up from £122.30 in 2017. Thanks to the Liberal Democrats’ triple lock guarantee, the basic state pension has risen in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or 2.5%. The triple lock was a key demand from the Liberal Democrats in Coalition negotiations. Labour increased the State Pension by just 75p in 2000. Help the Aged described the 75p increase as “just unacceptable”. Labour had 13 years to restore the earnings link to pensions which Margaret Thatcher severed in 1980. The Liberal Democrats restored the link to earnings within six weeks of getting into government. The Conservatives have hinted strongly that they will drop the Triple Lock. Theresa May has said she will not be drawn on whether it will be included in the manifesto, and Conservative senior figures have spoken out against it. Commenting on the plan, Sir Vince Cable said: “Liberal Democrats believe that an important test of a civilised society is the way in which it cares for the elderly. We will protect the Triple Lock unlike the Conservatives. “The guiding principle of the pensions system must be to ensure that none are left unable to meet their basic needs for survival and participation in society, and that everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. “A Lib Dem Pensions Minister introduced the triple lock guarantee to protect the state pension during Coalition. We delivered on our manifesto commitment to increase the Basic State Pension by whatever is highest out of CPI inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.”

Rail Needs Urgent Modernisation - Randerson

Responding to the Campaign for Better Transport's report calling for a reform of rail franchising and improvements in ticketing, Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson, and former Cardiff AM, Baroness Randerson said: "Liberal Democrats are on the side of the customer when it comes to needing more guarantees, and sanctions where necessary for failing franchises. The rail network could desperately do with modernising from top to bottom, including the way in which we pay inconsistent fares with outdated technology.” The party believes that a greater focus on passengers is needed to improve performance and would like to see the Department for Transport extend the right to operate franchises to those at a more local level.

Lib Dems penny on income tax to save NHS

The Liberal Democrats have announced they would plug funding gaps for the English NHS and social care by putting a penny on income tax, in their first major manifesto commitment of the election campaign. This is the party’s flagship spending commitment and its first major policy announcement for the election. At least 70% of Brits would happily pay an extra 1p in every pound if that money was guaranteed to go to the NHS, an ITV poll found last October. There will be a consequential increase in the health component of the Scottish and Welsh budget settlements. However, pressure on the Welsh government will be needed to ensure that all the money is directed towards health, bearing in mind the cuts imposed by the Plaid Cymru/Labour "One Wales" government between 2007 and 2011.

UKIP on foreign aid

The Liberal Democrats have attacked plans by UKIP to slash foreign aid so it would account for only 0.2% of GDP. Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said of Patrick O’Flynn’s announcement: “Patrick O’Flynn is widely considered to be Paul Nuttall’s brain. But this, to be charitable, is politics at its least thoughtful. “Ensuring that 0.7% of GDP is spent on foreign aid was a major achievement of Liberal Democrats in the coalition. It allowed us to vaccinate millions of children against ghastly diseases, stop humanitarian disasters and fight the horrific practice of Female Genital Mutilation. "UKIP would cheerfully see a child starve to death if it won them some cheap, snarling clip on the evening news.  “As the Conservatives move ever further to the right, UKIP are trying to sound ever more extreme to seem relevant. The Liberal Democrats are the very opposite of UKIP, campaigning to keep Britain open, tolerant and united.” Local Liberal Democrat Frank Little said: "I agree with everything that Tom Brake says, but believe that parliament should look closely at how that 0.7% has been used since Conservatives took full power in Westminster. It has been suggested that some of that  money which should have gone to people in the Third World who desperately need it has gone instead to financial institutions only nominally interested in humanitarian aid."

Local Liberal Democrats celebrate return to council

Frank Little, secretary of Aberavon and Neath Liberal Democrats, said:

After being deprived of representation there for the last five years, Welsh Liberal Democrats will now have a strong voice on Neath Port Talbot council. Helen Ceri Clarke, who has proved to be an effective champion for her local community for the last nine years on Coedffranc Community Council, has been elected our first woman councillor at county borough level.

Overall, our near doubling of our vote over 2012 did not lead to any other gains, but a consistent increase in membership over that period holds out promise of further progress.

Air quality plan - Govt is passing buck to local authorities

Responding to the government's draft air quality plan and consultation published today, Liberal Democrat former Energy and Climate Change Secretary and candidate for Kingston Ed Davey said:

"This is not a plan, it's a cop out. 

"Instead of bold commitments to improve air quality, the government is hiding behind yet another consultation and passing the buck to local authorities.

"The Conservative government is shamefully failing in its duty to tackle deadly pollution that is claiming thousands of lives a year.

"This shows why Britain needs a strong opposition that will hold the Conservatives to account."

Tim Farron, Saboteur of the Year

Lib Dems hit highest ever membership on eve of local elections

The Liberal Democrats have hit their highest ever number of members, eclipsing the high watermark of 101,768 set in 1994. The landmark comes as Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron heads to Oxford to rally activists for the party’s final push of the local election campaign. More than 14,000 new members have joined the Liberal Democrats in the two weeks since the General Election was called. More than 50,000 members have joined since last year’s European referendum and nearly 70,000 since the 2015 General Election. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “We are going into these local elections bigger than ever before, with a clear message and a growing sense of momentum. “In many of the counties where these elections are taking place it is the Liberal Democrats who are the main challengers. Liberal Democrat councillors are the strong opposition to the Conservatives and Labour across England and Wales, standing up to them on cuts to schools and elderly care. “You don’t need to agree with us on everything to agree that Britain needs a strong opposition to fight for you and your communities against Tory cuts to our schools, our NHS and our social care services. In county halls just as in Westminster, Liberal Democrats are that strong opposition that Britain needs.”

Ed Davey: Disgrace Govt had to be dragged through courts on air pollution

The Government has announced it won’t challenge the High Court judgement and will publish a draft plan to tackle air pollution next week, after having attempted to delay the plans until after the election. Ed Davey, former Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary commented: “It is a disgrace this Conservative government had to be dragged through the courts before agreeing to publish a plan to tackle air pollution. “How much taxpayers' money has been wasted because of the failure of ministers to do the right thing? “There is an urgent threat to people’s health from air pollution, yet time and again this government has dithered and delayed instead of taking action. “The Liberal Democrats will fight to ensure action is taken to tackle the air pollution crisis that is claiming thousands of lives in UK each year.”

LibDem response to Lords' report on the Middle East

Today, the Lords Select Committee on International Relations has published a report on UK policy in the Middle East which argues that UK should distance itself from Trump; recognise Palestine as a state and support the Iran Nuclear deal. Responding Shadow Foreign Secretary, Tom Brake MP said: "The Conservatives have shown a willingness to pander to Donald Trump, turn their backs on international commitments and give little thought to international security.  "This report is damning of the Tory government's record, but also makes clear recommendations that PM Theresa May must now heed.  "The British people deserve a government that stands up for what is right, while seeking to create a more stable and united international community. Only the Liberal Democrats are fighting for a UK which is open, tolerant and united."

Labour housing U-turn has no credibility - Lib Dems

John Shipley, Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson, said: “Labour has a guilty conscience about housing. It completely failed on house-building during its 13 years in government, selling off 470,000 council houses and adopting Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy without replacing the homes they sold off. “Their announcement today is to build an extra 500,000 council homes, which is the same number as the number of council homes they sold off in Government. “You need a strong economy to increase house-building. Labour’s policies are not credible and will not deliver the homes we need. “Labour voted for a hard Brexit, and that will leave an estimated £200bn black hole in the economy over 15 years, so any spending announcement Jeremy Corbyn makes is not worth the paper it is written on. You can’t have a hard Brexit and a decent supply of houses.” Local activist Frank Little added: “Welsh Labour is particularly culpable, in pushing through the selling-off of council housing long after the Westminster government had back-tracked on the policy. Neath Port Talbot used roundly condemned methods to persuade its tenants to agree to the transfer to NPT Homes”