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 few weeks, the political world has been dominated by Donald
Trump’s damaging tariffs which pose a threat to the global trade system. In
Parliament, we’ve been standing up for our economy, pushing the government to
take a more robust response.

From health and social care to overseas development, we’ve also been pushing
for change in many other areas.

Check out recent contributions from Lib Dems in Parliament below. 🔽






Standing tall against Trump’s trade war




People across the UK will be deeply worried about what Donald Trump’s
destructive trade war means for them, as the US placed 10% tariffs on all UK
exports last week.

But the only way to deal with a bully is to stand tall, because if you give
into their demands, they’ll only come back for more.

That’s why Daisy Cooper MP, our Treasury Spokesperson, urged the government
to be much tougher, calling for a coalition of the willing of our European and
Commonwealth partners to counter the tariffs. This would involve retaliatory
tariffs where necessary and the signing of new trade deals where possible.

Daisy also urged the government not to give in to Trump’s demands or appease
him with steps such as watering down the Digital Services Tax.


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 3 mins


At Prime Minister’s Questions, Ed Davey MP echoed these sentiments, arguing
that social media companies should be much more heavily regulated and taxed;
not the other way around to appease Trump.


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Watch time: 1 min






Fighting to protect NHS and social care providers from NIC rises




Last month, the House of Lords voted in favour of our amendment to exempt care
providers, NHS GP practices, NHS dentists, and others from the government’s
damaging NI rises, which will only worsen the health and social care crisis.

Lib Dem Peers have continued this fight ever since.

On 24 March, Lord Scriven’s amendment to allow ministers to introduce
exemptions for certain sectors further down the line passed a vote.


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 2 mins


In his speech, Lord Scriven outlined how his amendment would enable a more
agile and realistic approach to the NI rise, as it would allow the Government
to act quickly to prevent destabilising these essential services in the future.



Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 15:47:43 ⏐ Watch time: 7 mins


Unfortunately, the amendment was rejected in the House of Commons, with Labour
voting against it, and the hikes came into effect last week. However, we’ll
continue to fight the jobs tax to protect small businesses and the health and
care sectors.






Protecting vulnerable children



The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund provides vital therapy for
young adopted children or those living with special guardians. Families which
rely on it have sadly been left for months in limbo without knowing whether the
fund would be renewed.

Having received no guarantee that the fund would be protected at Prime
Minister's Questions
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Wilson MP, our Education, Children and Families Spokesperson, pressed the
Government with an Urgent Question.

In response, we were delighted that the Government announced £50 million to
be allocated for the fund this year.

In her speech, Munira welcomed the announcement but asked how long the £50
million will last and whether the Government is considering expanding the
eligibility criteria to include all kinship carers (family members or friends
who care for a child when their parents cannot), not just special guardians.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 13:09:39 ⏐ Watch time: 2 mins






Protecting the £2 bus fare cap




Last week, Lib Dem peers voted for re-introducing the £2 bus fare cap in
England, to reverse Labour raising it to £3.

In support of an amendment to the Bus Services Bill
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Pidgeon outlined how a higher cap creates real barriers for passengers, as many
people on low incomes rely on buses to get around.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 17:57:09 ⏐ Watch time: 2 mins


Sadly, Labour Peers voted the amendment down and, despite their manifesto
pledge to extend the £2 scheme, the Conservatives didn’t turn up to vote.

It’s clear - only the Liberal Democrats are standing up for local communities
and those on low incomes who rely on public transport.




Back our 'Stop Labour’s Bus Tax' campaign ➜ <[link removed]>






Opposing cuts to Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)




Although the Liberal Democrats support the government’s move to spend 2.5% of
GDP on defence
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(and support bringing all parties together to get to 3%), we strongly oppose
plans to fund it through cuts to foreign aid.

In a speech to the House of Commons, Monica Harding MP, our International
Development Spokesperson, highlighted the importance of overseas aid, not just
for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, but also for us here in the UK.

Alongside defence and diplomacy, development is a third element of our
foreign policy, opening up opportunities for trade and growth, helping us reach
global climate goals, fight terrorism, and reduce pressures which lead to
conflict and displacement.

Withdrawing assistance also allows other actors, like China and Russia, to
move in and spread their influence at our expense.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 17:18:32 ⏐ Watch time: 8 mins


Our motion passed at Spring Conference committed us to supporting an immediate
restoration of spending 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) on ODA, and a
roadmap to spending 0.7%.


Read more ➜ <[link removed]>

⏲️ Est. reading time: 2 mins






Backing the establishment of a Mental Health Commissioner




Baroness Tyler of Enfield submitted an amendment to the Mental Health Bill
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Commissioner for England.

In her speech, Baroness Tyler outlined how, unlike existing bodies, a
commissioner would have a strategic, cross-government focus working to promote
mental health. They would also give those living with mental health problems a
voice at the top table, and could help tackle stigma and discrimination in the
public sphere.


Watch ➜
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⏲️ Start time: 19:15:01 ⏐ Watch time: 4 mins


Despite Labour Peers voting the amendment down, we won’t give up fighting for
mental health justice, especially with waiting times soaring and support
stretched.




Back our 'End Mental Health Injustice' campaign ➜
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On Broadcast


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

Ed Davey MP - on Channel 4 News <[link removed]>
andITV's Peston <[link removed]>
talking about our response to US tariffs.

Daisy Cooper MP - on GB News
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Trump's trade war.

Anna Sabine MP - on BBC Politics Live
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cost of living crisis.

Bobby Dean MP - on LBC Cross Question
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If you haven’t already, be sure to watch our Party Election Broadcast ahead
of the local elections in England on 1st May:


Watch ➜ <[link removed]>



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]>



Why not forward this email to your friends and family, so they too can see the
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
want to help us transform the country, why not join us today?


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Best wishes,




Liberal Democrats





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Published and promoted by Mike Dixon on behalf of the Liberal Democrats
<[link removed]>, 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PN.