Lib Dems urge Julian Knight and Saqib Bhatti to join calls for Chancellor to roll out more financial support

Councillor Ade Adeyemo (Lyndon Ward, Solihull)

The Liberal Democrats have condemned the Chancellor for failing to introduce a comprehensive plan to save jobs after it was revealed that 2,860 people in Solihull borough are currently on Universal Credit.
 
Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine criticised Rishi Sunak's "constant chop-and-change approach", urging him to put in place a proper plan to protect jobs as the Government still struggles to get a grip over rising cases of coronavirus.
 
The figures revealed that 4.7% of people of working age in Solihull are on Universal Credit.
 
Following this, Liberal Democrats urged local Conservative MPs Julian Knight and Saqib Bhatti to join their calls for the Chancellor to ensure the furlough scheme remains in place until at least June 2021, as well as overturning their decision to ignore the 3 million individuals still locked out of any Government coronavirus support schemes.
 
This follows the Liberal Democrats' call for the Prime Minister to negotiate a 6-month Adjustment Period for businesses, giving them crucial breathing space once the UK leaves the transition period.
 
Liberal Democrats’ Solihull Council Group Leader Ade Adeyemo added:
"These unemployment figures reveal just how many people in Solihull borough have been let down by this Conservative Government. Too many families will be worrying about how they're going to put food on the table this Christmas thanks to Rishi Sunak's failure to keep his promise that no-one would be left behind.
"That is why the Liberal Democrats have urged Julian Knight and Saqib Bhatti to join us in urging the Chancellor to roll out more support for people in our two constituencies. Unfortunately, the pandemic is far from over and it is crucial that we see the Government step up to support the most vulnerable in the coming months."
 
Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:
"The Chancellor's constant chop-and-change approach to the furlough scheme and his inability to put together a comprehensive plan to save jobs is taking a huge toll.
 
"The Government must ensure furlough stays in place until at least June – and extend support to the three million people who still remain excluded from any support whatsoever. Just as crucially, Ministers must ensure there is an Adjustment Period for businesses before new trade rules begin, to avoid a second spike in redundancies."