- Davey: Chancellor must order economic forecasts on UK-EU customs union ahead of Spring Statement
- Cooper ruling out youth mobility scheme is “short-sighted and bitter blow to young people”
- Davey: PM must “drop his red line” on Customs Union as he meets EU leaders
- Scottish Liberal Democrats table amendment to erase SNP power grab “for good”
Davey: Chancellor must order economic forecasts on UK-EU customs union ahead of Spring Statement
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called on the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to order an official analysis on the economic benefits of a UK-EU customs union, ahead of March’s Spring Statement.
He said that families and businesses worried about the state of the economy and public finances deserve “full transparency about the benefits that a closer trading relationship with Europe would bring.”
In a letter to the Chancellor, Ed Davey said the Treasury should commission the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to analyse the impact a customs deal with the EU would have for the UK economy and public finances. He said these updated forecasts should be made public as part of the OBR’s forecasts due to be published alongside the Spring Statement on 26 March.
The Liberal Democrat Leader also urged Keir Starmer to begin talks on a UK-EU Customs Union in his meeting with EU leaders in Brussels expected on Monday 3rd February, with an initial first step of agreeing to join the pan-European customs scheme (PEM).
The OBR has previously forecast that the UK economy is set to take a 4% hit over 15 years due to the impact of Brexit. According to a recent study conducted by the London School for Economics, the Conservative’s Brexit deal has led to a £27 billion drop (6.4%) in the value of UK goods exports to the EU.
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey commented:
The Chancellor is tying herself in knots trying to think up new ways to grow our economy. But there’s a solution right under her nose: a new UK-EU customs union deal that boosts trade for British businesses and raises vital tax revenue for our public services.
It’s a no-brainer. After years of damage thanks to the Conservatives’ botched trade deal with the EU, this would improve access to our biggest trading partner and put rocket boosters under economic growth.
Families and businesses around the country are deeply worried about the state of the economy and our public services. They deserve full transparency from the government about the benefits that a closer trading relationship with Europe would bring.
Keir Starmer should use his meeting with EU leaders on Monday to fire the starting gun on agreeing a new customs partnership with Europe. There is no time to waste in fixing the damage done by the Conservatives, cutting red tape for businesses and strengthening our hand with Donald Trump.
Cooper ruling out youth mobility scheme is “short-sighted and bitter blow to young people”
Responding to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper ruling out any plans for Labour to negotiate a youth mobility scheme with the EU during an interview with Trevor Phillips this morning, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Calum Miller MP said:
The Government’s refusal to negotiate a youth mobility scheme with the EU is short-sighted and a bitter blow to young people across the UK.
A youth mobility deal would be good for our economy, especially our tourism and hospitality sectors, while giving young British people the opportunity to work and study abroad.
This would be a win-win, Labour ministers need to stop repeating the failed approach of the Conservatives and listen to young people instead.
Davey: PM must “drop his red line” on Customs Union as he meets EU leaders
Commenting on Keir Starmer’s trip to Brussels on Monday, where he will hold talks with EU leaders on defence and security, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:
With an unpredictable and unreliable partner in the White House, it’s right we show leadership with our European allies to make sure Russia cannot win and to ensure security, freedom and democracy across our continent.
But as well as strengthening our cooperation on defence and security it’s also in our national interest to bolster ties with our European neighbours on trade, which was so badly damaged by the Conservatives.
That’s why Liberal Democrats are calling on the Prime Minister to drop his red line and use today’s meeting with EU leaders to fire the starting gun on agreeing a new customs union.
Scottish Liberal Democrats table amendment to erase SNP power grab “for good”
Scottish Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment that would rename the SNP’s National Care Service Bill in a bid to “erase the last traces of this ministerial power grab for good”.
The amendment tabled by party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP would rename the legislation the Care and Carers Bill.
Scottish Liberal Democrats were the only party which stood against the SNP’s centralisation from day one.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:
Care is in crisis in Scotland. Thousands aren’t getting the care they need, staff have been let down and family carers are desperate for more support.
It’s why it’s so frustrating that the SNP have wasted four years and £30 million on the wrong solution. It’s time to erase the last traces of this ministerial power grab for good, because we need the Scottish Government to get on with the job of fixing care in our country.
This failed SNP centralisation attempt doesn’t deserve to have legislation that still bears its name. The reforms that staff and service users need are better off without the spin. By renaming the legislation Parliament can send a clear message to care workers, care users and the legions of unpaid carers that they are what really matters.
The Liberal Democrats are the party of care. We introduced free personal care in Scotland, enshrined the right to carers leave in employment law, and have just won a change that will enable family carers to earn more. Ed Davey put it at the heart of our manifesto and opened up on his life as a carer.
Carers – paid and unpaid, young and old – do a remarkable and important job. They deserve far more support, but are too often forgotten and ignored. It’s why our plans would see care workers properly rewarded, high quality care for everyone who needs it and unpaid carers given the fair deal they deserve.