South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats

The call follows reports that doctors, nurses and paramedics will automatically have their visas extended, free of charge, for one year.

The coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented threat and people are rightly worried. In times like this, we cannot thank front-line staff enough for going above and beyond to look after us all.

Extending the visas in the NHS is welcome, but the Government must also do so much more for the social care system and urgently rollout adequate PPE and testing.

A unique opportunity to prepare for sustainable choices in 2021.

Graham's 'Chair's Briefing' in Challenge Winter 2019-20 was timely. Most people accept the reality of climate change, some of the consequences and the need for us to change; but there is NO direction, policy or leadership in how ordinary people can start to make changes. Business and public organisations are beginning this process for their particular operations and will continue to do so if public policy demands this.

Life has changed significantly in the last few weeks, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Things that used to be easy have become harder. Routine medical care has all but vanished. Our social spaces have largely become inaccessible, or replaced by online gatherings. We are stuck indoors with people we may not be used to spending so much time with. Some of us are stuck with people who are hostile or violent.

Ed Davey responds to Foreign Secretary's update on coronavirus

Responding to yesterday evening's update on coronavirus from the Foreign Secretary, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

"Reports from many British citizens stuck overseas bring home the reality of the global scale of this crisis. Many have been in a desperate position, unsure whether they will be able to secure accommodation or access adequate supplies.

"The Foreign Office must ensure that British citizens will be able to return home, wherever they have been stranded, without exception.

Plans for Liberal Democrat autumn conference on hold, online options to be explored instead

In the light of the coronavirus epidemic, the Federal Board has decided to put on hold plans for the preparation of a traditional party conference in the autumn and will make a final decision on whether to cancel the event in May.

Fay was the centre of our local party. Even the oldest members of our group say they cannot remember how long Fay had been a member because she was always there. She served on the committee for many years and latterly was our honorary President. That was a role she could easily have gracefully retired into - but not Fay! She continued to take a thoroughly active role from her chair in the Old School and gave us much valued advice as well as still stuffing envelopes and writing letters, always with Dan by her side. Fay was meticulous in the records she kept of our campaigning at elections and her memory was second to none She had her finger firmly on the pulse and guided us accordingly. Her artistic talents were used for years in the production of the local Focus leaflets. She was a trusty proof reader making sure that everything was of the highest standard. There was no place for sloppy grammar. She organised fundraising tirelessly especially, with Dan, the Bank Holiday Monday Stalls at Exton Street Market. For all of this and much more we were delighted when her local efforts were nationally recognised in 2016 by the National Party in presenting Fay with the Harriet Smith Award - an annual Award for someone who deserves recognition for their hard work, long service, and demonstrable dedication to the party and for whom public recognition is long overdue.

Government must provide resources so councils can house all rough sleepers

Responding to reports that the Government has written to all local councils asking them to find homes for all rough sleepers by the weekend to protect them from the coronavirus outbreak, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said:

"It is right that the Government is taking urgent action to find secure accommodation for rough sleepers, as Liberal Democrats have called for since this crisis began.

"The Government must also equip local authorities with the financial resources to provide sufficient secure emergency accommodation to meet demand. Ministers must also make specialist support available to those who struggle with addiction or other mental health issues, as is the case for so many people sleeping rough right across the UK."

As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the local elections we were expecting in May have been postponed until 2021. For many of us, this is disappointing news - especially after months of hard work - but it is absolutely the right call to keep us and our communities safe.

In addition, any by-election that comes up and would be due before May 2021 will also be held off until then. Depending on the public health situation by-elections may restart sooner than May next year.

Not only are we going through what could become the country's biggest crisis since 1945, but we're also entering a very new world that will persist once the immediate crisis is over.

I'm proud of what we have achieved so far by championing NHS workers and pressing the Government on issues such as offering a better deal to the self-employed.

The NHS takes care of us and keeps us safe every day.

Coronavirus is affecting every part of our lives and is already putting a huge strain on the NHS and NHS workers. We want to say thank you to the people working so hard to keep us all safe.

We are so lucky to live in a country where we have access to such high-quality healthcare that's free at the point of use. It's saved countless lives and, over the coming weeks and months, it's going to save many, many more.