Today's Headlines

Lib Dems call for new jobs package to ease businesses into work

Liberal Democrats are calling for a "Safe to Return to Work Scheme", through the introduction of a structured wage subsidy for all employees coming off furlough after the 80% furlough scheme ends, with 50% of salary paid during the first month in work, 40% of salary paid during the second month in work, 30% of salary paid during the third month in work.

• The Government furlough scheme has done a good job at helping thousands of businesses through the lockdown, but the shadow of lockdown will be long, and the 'new normal' will be extremely challenging.
• Businesses and their staff need time to plan, and confidence the Government will be there, ready to support. Our proposal for a "Safe to Return to Work" scheme would give people that time and that confidence and help avoid further large-scale job losses.

Govt must be clear on school re-opening plan

Reports emerged today that the Government is planning a phased return to school starting with pupils in Year 6.

• We need to take a cautious approach to reopening schools. The Government must be transparent about the criteria it is using.
• All schools must be advised on how to undertake risk assessments that follow scientific advice. Social distancing, appropriate personal protective equipment and adequate deep cleaning must be adhered to.
• Most importantly parents, pupils and teachers must have confidence that their safety is not being put at risk, and that re-opening their school does not become a factor in another peak in their community.

Frontline workers still lack the testing they need, report shows

A report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has found more than 76% of Health and Social Care workers have not been offered a test for Covid-19.

• It is good news the Government has managed to significantly expand testing, but these reports are deeply concerning.
• Health and Social Care workers on the frontline of the fight against the Coronavirus have put their lives on the line to protect their communities. It is outrageous they have not received the PPE and testing they need.
• For the lockdown to end safely, the Government needs to have a system of test, trace and isolate in place for the entire population. The fact that not even frontline workers are being adequately tested shows how far the Government need to travel to safely end the lockdown.

Govt must invest now to meet tidal wave of mental health needs

ONS figures released today show that between 20 March and 30 March 202 almost half of people in Great Britain reported "high" anxiety.

• The COVID-19 crisis has led to a tidal wave of anxiety. Today's figures reveal the scale of the mental health crisis that is unfolding as people face additional stress due to health concerns, fears over job security and the detrimental effect of long periods of isolation. On top of the terrible loss of life, COVID-19 will leave a deep scar across our society in terms of its mental health impact.
• That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to set up an expert-led taskforce responsible for mapping out a route to rapidly scale up mental health support in the wake of this crisis. Support must be there for all who need it, from frontline workers to those who have had to isolate. This is uncharted territory and the Government must invest now to ensure it can meet this surge of needs.