Liberal Democrats What the Lib Dems have been up to in Parliament



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Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.



Dear John,

Over the past month, the Liberal Democrats have been urging the Government to
be much bolder in their response to the country’s problems.

Whether it be through being a voice for carers, for our response to the
Spending Review, or demanding action on the sewage crisis, we’re championing
ambitious solutions that will bring the change the country is crying out for.

And it’s working - this month, we celebrated two more wins in Parliament,
with the Government accepting our demands on Free School Meals and solar energy
for new-build homes. This follows two more Liberal Democrat victories last
month toprotect victims of domestic abuse and sexual offences
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.

Read more about this and other recent contributions from Lib Dems in
Parliament below. 🔽





Responding to the Government's Spending Review




This week’s Spending Review was a chance for the Government to end the NHS and
social care crisis, draw a line under years of Conservative neglect, and start
delivering the change they promised.

Instead, they failed to deliver the ambition needed to confront today’s
challenges.

In her response to the Chancellor’s statement, Daisy Cooper MP, our Deputy
Leader and Treasury Spokesperson, explained why the review was a missed
opportunity to get the country back on track.

Daisy outlined our ambitious policies, from negotiating a bespoke UK-EU
customs union to supporting small businesses, which would drive the economic
growth and tax receipts needed to save our public services.


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 8 mins


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Standing up for carers




The Liberal Democrats remain a steadfast voice for carers nationwide. Ed Davey
personally pressed the Prime Minister on the vital concerns of carers,
advocating for all carers ahead of the crucial Spending Review.


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 2 mins


During Parliament's Carers Week celebrations, MPs Alison Bennett, Wendy
Chamberlain, and Ed Davey all showed their commitment by attending the
dedicated event.

It's clear that carers form the very backbone of our communities and the NHS;
therefore, no promises of spending or reform can truly succeed without their
integral involvement.






Fighting Climate Change and lowering energy bills




Last week, the Government accepted Max Wilkinson MP’s campaign to fit solar
panels to all new homes as standard.

Max submitted his Private Member’s Bill - dubbed the Sunshine Bill
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debated in the House of Commons and received widespread support from industry
figures, the public, and MPs from all parties.

We’re delighted that Max has now secured a Government commitment to include
these measures in the updated Future Homes Standard.


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 4 mins


The policy will lower energy bills, helping people with the cost-of-living
crisis, and reduce carbon emissions.

Watch some highlights from Max’s campaign in the Commons here:


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 1 min


And we’re not stopping here - the Liberal Democrats have also tabled an
amendment
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Planning and Infrastructure Bill <[link removed]> to
require solar panels to be provided with all new car parks.






Tackling child poverty




After years of Lib Dem campaigning for an extension of free school meals to
help tackle child poverty, the Government has finally listened - any child in
England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible from next year.


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 5 mins


This change will improve children's nutrition, boost educational attainment,
and help families struggling in the cost of living crisis.

But while we recognise this vital progress, it must be a first step towards
ending the cost of learning crisis.

In her speech responding to the announcement, Munira Wilson MP, our
Education, Children and Families Spokesperson, outlined the next steps we must
take, including auto-enrolling all eligible pupils into free schools meals, so
no child misses out, capping branded uniform costs, and lifting the two-child
benefit cap.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 12:05:37 | Watch time: 2 mins


Please share our campaigning victory on social media to show the impact we
Liberal Democrats are having:



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Restoring trust in politics




A year after coming to power, the Labour Government has yet to fulfil its
manifesto commitment to set up an ethics and integrity body, to restore trust
in politics.

Lord Wallace secured an oral question this month on pushing the Government to
establish the ethics watchdog sooner, so we can finally have a strong,
independent voice overseeing the ethical standards of government.


Read more ➜
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⏲️ Est. reading time: 5 mins







Challenging the Government to set social home targets



The remaining stages of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
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After tabling 78 amendments
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at the Committee Stage, Gideon Amos MP, our Housing and Planning Spokesperson,
led the Liberal Democrats in their response to the legislation and pushed for
votes on his amendments to:

- Enact the Lib Dem manifesto pledge to build 150,000 social homes a year.
- Ensure development corporations provide green spaces in all new
developments.

Watch Gideon’s speech here:


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 18:36:14 | Watch time: 17 mins


Freddie Van Mierlo MP also secured a vote on his amendment to help provide
local authorities with more powers to improve active travel infrastructure.

Liberal Democrats were the only party pushing for a specific target for
social housing in the Bill. Sadly, all three Lib Dem amendments were voted down
by Labour and the Conservatives, who failed to support them.







Supporting a resolution for peace in Israel-Gaza




This week, the Government finally sanctioned extremist Israeli ministers
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, who have called for the forced displacement of
Palestinians. Having requested these sanctions since last February, we’re
relieved the Government has finally listened.

In response, Calum Miller MP, our Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, urged the
Government to sanction other extremist ministers, while supporting further
steps to ensure aid gets into Gaza, the hostages are released, and a ceasefire
is agreed, including officially recognising the independent state of Palestine
to build a lasting peace:


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 18:44:21 | Watch time: 2 mins


As the humanitarian catastrophe worsens, the Liberal Democrats tabled an Early
Day Motion
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(EDM) regarding the Israeli Government’s blockade of Gaza. The EDM called for
the UK Government to put more pressure on the Israeli Government to immediately
reopen aid routes and allow essential goods and supplies in.

Last week, Ed Davey urged the Prime Minister to do more at Prime Minister’s
Questions:


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 12:16:03 | Watch time: 1 min







Holding polluting water companies to account




The Government’s recent announcement to ban six water companies from giving
executive bonuses are‘half-baked’
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sewage crisis. When the entire system is rotten, this doesn’t go nearly far
enough.

Thames Water typifies the crisis - piling up billions of pounds of debt and
polluting our rivers and lakes, but still rewarding millions to its
shareholders and letting its customers pay the price.

Tim Farron MP, our Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Spokesperson, urged
the Government to put the company into special administration and transform it
into a public interest company, alongside other water companies.

He also urged the Government to replace Ofwat with a new, powerful water
authority to truly reform the system.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 12:50:33 | Watch time: 1 min


This follows Charlie Maynard MP’s long campaign
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Water be put into special administration, so we can reach a more sustainable
solution that will benefit consumers once and for all.




On Broadcast


Here are a few highlights from our media rounds from the past month:

Ed Davey MP - on ITV's This Morning
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alongside his wife Emily.

Ed Davey MP - on BBC Politics Live
<[link removed]> responding to the
Government’s Spending Review and calling for more focus on fixing social care.

Josh Babarinde MP - on BBC Breakfast
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urgent need to address vehicle theft.

Clive Jones MP - on LBC News
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Liberal Democrat plans to end the shrinkflation crisis and protect consumers.

Lisa Smart MP - on LBC's Cross Question
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We aren’t able to share everything that happens in Parliament so make sure to
check out the social media accounts and websites of our MPs and Peers to find
out more about them and their work:



Our MPs ➜ <[link removed]>


Our Peers ➜ <[link removed]>



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important work we are doing to fight for a fair deal?



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We hope you’ve been inspired by learning about our work in Parliament. If you
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Best wishes,




Liberal Democrats





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