Update on the Coronavirus Pandemic
Earlier today, the Prime Minister announced new measures for England that will come into force next week and last for the next six months in response to the growing rate of coronavirus infections.
On top of the existing measures, these include:
- Office workers being asked to work from home if they can.
- Pubs, bars and restaurants closing at 10pm and restricted to table-only service (when dining-in) from Thursday.
- Face coverings needing to be worn in taxis and private hire vehicles, and by retail staff whilst at work.
- Banning indoor team sports of more than six people and not going ahead with the planned return of spectators to sports venues.
- Wedding ceremonies and receptions being capped at 15 people from Monday.
For the Government's full guidance, please click here.
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Supporting Carers in our Community
As we mark National Carers Week, I want to recognise the important role of carers in our society – and call on the Government to give them a better deal.
The coronavirus pandemic has helped us recognise the true heroes of our community. In that group of unsung heroes, this week we should focus on Britain’s 6.5 million carers without whom our NHS and social care system would have been overwhelmed.
National Carers Week is especially poignant for me, as much of my life has been spent caring for close relatives.
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Black Lives Matter
The murder of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers in Minneapolis has sparked protests across the US, and across the world.
We should not be surprised. Black people the world over face discrimination, harassment and racism, sometimes on a daily basis. No wonder people are angry. And while there’s been some progress over the years to tackle such racism, there’s still gaping racial inequality in our society, which shames us all. And should anger us all.
So I hope we will all show our personal solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaigns – and not dismiss it as something only relevant for the US. Here in the UK, in recent times, remember Windrush. Stephen Lawrence. Grenfell. Mark Duggan. There’s still so much to do to tackle the scourge of racism in the UK.
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Launching my bid to be the next Leader of the Liberal Democrats
This morning, I announced my campaign to be the next Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
If you'd like to find out more about this, please visit my campaign website voteEd.uk.
