Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.

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.

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.

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.

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 - earlier this year, where it was 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.

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:

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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:

As the humanitarian catastrophe worsens, the Liberal Democrats tabled an Early Day Motion (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:

The Government’s recent announcement to ban six water companies from giving executive bonuses are ‘half-baked’ measures to address the 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.

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