Equality Archives -

10Dec 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

On 12th December vote for a brighter future

Budget, Business, Democracy, Economics, Education, Energy, Environment, Equality, Europe, Representation

The Economy Both Brexit and the Labour Party's excessive spending plans threaten our country's future economic stability. That isn't just our opinion, the IFS is saying it too. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to protect British jobs and public services. The NHS Save the NHS by putting a penny in the pound on income tax to give the NHS and social care the cash they need. Make waiting times for mental health care match those for physical health care. Climate Change Ban fracking, and more than double green energy to 80% by 2030. Ensure that 26 million properties receive insulation retrofits by 2025, prioritising the fuel poor, saving the average household £550 per year on energy bills. Policing Increase community policing, investing an extra £300 million…

21Oct 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Lib Dems: The time for inequality in Northern Ireland is over

Equality

At midnight tonight the deadline will pass for the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive to prevent changes to legislation on abortion and same-sex marriage. Following this, the Government must legislate for abortion and equal marriage in Northern Ireland. As the deadline approaches, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: "The time for inequality in Northern Ireland is over. For decades, women in Northern Ireland have been subject to laws that have violated their human rights. With the midnight deadline rapidly approaching, this will finally come to an end. "Despite a last minute stunt by the DUP, and a lack of support by this Conservative Government on the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, we are finally closing the curtain on the historic inequalities in Northern Ireland. "The Liberal…

14Oct 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Fifa and UEFA must take action against racist abuse of players

Equality, Europe, News

Responding to reports of racist chants by fans at the Bulgaria vs England match, Liberal Democrat Shadow DCMS Secretary Layla Moran said: "It is appalling to see players subjected to this kind of abuse and discrimination. "There is a long way to go in some areas regarding equality and inclusivity, and it is entirely right that tonight our players and staff have stood up for the values we hold here in our society. "Both Fifa and UEFA need to take serious action against anyone found to be abusing players, and if necessary, punish countries by playing their matches behind closed doors or banning teams. This behaviour can not be tolerated." Cllr Ross Shipman, the Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for North East Derbyshire added: "It's 2019. The world should have moved beyond…

15Sep 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Conference 2019: Liberal Democrats set out plans to help young carers

Community, Equality, Health

The Liberal Democrats have today passed new plans to address the pressure faced by young carers, including giving young carers a free bus pass. The party's new Shadow Chancellor, Ed Davey, was himself a young carer for his mother before she passed away when he was 15. Reflecting, he said: "You have to grow up early as a young carer. As we saw today, without adequate support, being a young carer can hurt your life chances. We must demand better." The raft of new policies include reforming the Carers Allowance so young people who undertake more than 21 hours a week of education can qualify for the allowance, and treating being a carer by learning institutes and employers as a diversity issue. Liberal Democrat MP Ed Davey said: "Carers devote much of…

14Sep 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Conference 2019: Lib Dems demand a fairer share for all

Economics, Equality

The Liberal Democrats have today backed proposals to demand better for the over four million people who are trapped in deep poverty in the UK. The proposals, passed today at Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Bournemouth, includes calls to invest £5 billion per year to make the benefits system work for people and a £50 billion capital Rebalancing Fund to address the historic investment disparities between our nations and regions. Speaking after the debate, Liberal Democrat MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Tim Farron said: “Nothing robs you of your freedom more than poverty. Poverty is a despicable stain on any society, whatever the country. In the UK the situation is so bad that the UN felt the need to send its Special Rapporteur on extreme…

14Sep 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Conference 2019: Lib Dems call for UK wide marriage equality

Equality

The Liberal Democrats have today backed proposals to demand better for all LGBT+ people across the UK and deliver equal marriage. The proposal, passed today at Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Bournemouth, include calls to introduce equal marriage in Northern Ireland, extending existing legislation in England and Wales to remove the spousal veto and to enable the Church of England and Church in Wales and their celebrants to conduct same-sex marriages, and extend recognition of humanist marriages to all of the UK. Speaking after the debate, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who backed the amendment in Parliament to extend same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland said: “Despite the amendment that was passed in Parliament in July, same-sex marriage has not yet been delivered in Northern Ireland. “With the Conservatives shutting down…

14Sep 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Conference 2019: Lib Dems lead fight for gender equality

Equality

Today, at party conference, Liberal Democrats passed a Gender Equality motion moved by Equalities Spokesperson, Christine Jardine MP. Ms Jardine said: “I have been overwhelmed at the support across the country for our attempts to tackle the everyday prejudice and discrimination which women and girls across the UK face. “While this Conservative Government has done woefully little to address this inequality the Liberal Democrats have brought forward progressive legislation on issues including ‘upskirting’ and the ‘pink tax’. “Our daughters and sons deserve equal support on all social and economic areas and by passing this policy at Conference we are making it clear that we will be bold and ambitious in outlawing gender inequality. “This motion is a key step towards addressing the huge injustices that persist for women and girls…

19Jun 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

School cuts are failing pupils with SEND

Education, Equality

Responding to tonight’s report by Newsnight, revealing that more than 1,500 pupils with special educational needs or a disability (SEND) across 46 councils do not have a school place, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “SEND pupils are falling through the gaps of a fragmented, underfunded school system. Brutal Conservative cuts to schools and the spiralling demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) mean that too many children with the most complex needs are not getting the tailored support they are entitled to. “Meanwhile, cash-strapped councils must ensure every child has a school place but are powerless to make it happen. They can’t sponsor new schools or control academies’ admissions policies. “The Liberal Democrats demand better for our children’s futures. We would give schools an emergency cash…

02Jun 2019 by admin No Comments

Pride Month

Equality

It is time the House grew up, realised how our constituents are living out there, stopped hiding in the past, and removed this odious legislation from the statute book once and for all.Ed Davey MP, 2003. In 2003, the Lib Dems tabled an amendment to the Local Government Bill to repeal Section 28, and voted unanimously in favour of it. On the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, we recognise just how far LGBT rights have come. Sadly we're still a little way from achieving full equality as events in Birmingham these past few months have shown. Equal rights means equal rights for all. In a truly liberal society we embrace our diversity - its those differences that make us stronger, and we should not allow them to divide us.…

03Apr 2019 by David Hancock No Comments

Swinson condemns anti-LGBT laws in Brunei

Equality

Jo Swinson, Deputy Leader and Foreign Affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, has today condemned new anti-LGBT laws in Brunei and warned the UK Government must no longer "cosy up to the Brunei regime." The new laws, that will come into force on Wednesday, also cover a range of crimes from making gay sex punishable by stoning to death to punishment for theft by amputation. Jo Swinson said: “Stoning is barbaric and inhumane. Let’s be clear: this means people having rocks thrown at their head again and again to draw out the process of death by blunt trauma. "LGBT+ rights are human rights, and the defence of them should be central to the UK’s foreign and trade policy. The Conservative Government should not be trying to cosy up to the Brunei regime while its…