This World AIDs Day we have the opportunity to set ourselves an ambitious but achievable target: to end the transmission of HIV in England by 2030. Published today, the HIV Commission has outlined 20 measures necessary to achieve this worthy goal.
As Liberal Democrats we have a responsibility to help make sure that we achieve it.
Today marks Guru Nanak's Gurpurab, which commemorates the birth of the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak.
Guru Nanak was a significant figure: his message of acceptance, compassion and community remains relevant even today.
I have seen these values put into action by British Sikhs, be it through the practice of the langar, especially in gurdwaras, or through dedicated service in our schools and emergency services.
The country is desperate to get life back to normal, particularly given how much has already been sacrificed.
Time and time again, the Government has squandered the sacrifices the British people have made.
But time and time again, the Government has squandered the sacrifices the British people have made through Ministers' unbelievable incompetence.
The Liberal Democrat gain this week in Scotland was part of the final contests of the year. Which means we can also tally up the net score for each party during 2020. It's the Lib Dems who come out on top:
Welcome to the Weekly Whip. Your one-stop shop for Lib Dem Parliamentary updates, covering the week that was and the week to come.
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Weekly Whip w/c 23rd November
Monday 23rd November
The Prime Minister's announcement on Monday did not quite go to plan. After his statement to the House on Coronavirus, delivered virtually from Downing Street, the PM's connection dropped out and the Secretary of State had to stand in his place, fielding questions from around the Chamber.
The coronavirus crisis has shone a new spotlight on the issue of child hunger, with demand for food banks soaring and almost a fifth of households with children unable to access enough food in the first weeks of lockdown.
The Government has repeatedly overlooked the needs of children from low-income families.
Yesterday, on Carers Rights Day, we launched our campaign Stand Up for Carers - calling on the Government to immediately raise Carer's Allowance by £1,000 a year.
After the Chancellor's Spending Review earlier this week, it's more important than ever that we support the incredible work that carers do.
Unpaid carers are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances. They deserve our support.
But many carers are facing extreme financial hardship.
900,000 full-time unpaid carers rely on Carer's Allowance - but at just £67.25 a week, it's just not nearly enough.
Carer's Allowance is just £67 a week. It's just not nearly enough.
Countless families are facing serious financial hardship. More than a million people have lost their jobs and the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic will continue to be felt throughout the next year.
We are also facing serious challenges in deep-seated inequality and the climate emergency.
With the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Chancellor needed to ensure today that no one is left behind. That was the litmus test, and he has failed
In a year when our NHS and care staff, teachers, police officers and many others have gone beyond the call of duty, a pay freeze reveals just how callous the Chancellor truly is.
