The document is now available again on the Liberal Party website:

The Liberal Party notes the continued media attention on the issue of financial support for families affected by the current viral pandemic and its economic fallout.

The vulnerability of the low paid, those on zero hours contracts or universal credit to any protracted crisis has been in the public arene for some time as has the perilous state on many family’s finances more than a decade after the financial crisis.

The need for many workers and their families is prompt intervention and although we welcome the governments announcements on aid these need to be translated into action in a very short timeframe.

The party therefore believes more immediate results would be achieved by a council tax holiday, or a one-off tax rebate, coupled with a pensions or benefits bonus and would provide a targeted boost to depleted family finances.

In the aftermath of the current crisis the Liberal Party calls for better protection for workers’ rights, access to statutory sick pay, unemployment benefit and reasonable time off for domestic and health issues.

The Liberal Party notes the increase emphasis being placed on self-isolation to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Firstly, the party would like to emphasise how community groups can safely support older people and other vulnerable groups during these difficult times.

Self-isolation restricts many groups from activities such as shopping, exercise and the social contacts which allow their wellbeing to be checked-on and delays prompt assistance.

We would ask people to be aware of those in their local community who may need a courteous check and to offer what assistance we can without compromising the isolation regime which is in place.

The current pandemic is expected to have a protracted impact on our daily life and community action can act as a stabilising factor.

The Liberal Party notes the continued escalation in the country’s response to the coronavirus and the latest advice from the Government to avoid all none-essential social contact.

The nation’s business owners now face an unparalleled risk to their existence and the party calls upon the government to take urgent action to safeguard jobs and businesses.

Airlines, train operators and hotel chains are already seeing drastic falls in business and this will now spread to the retail and service sectoring including clubs, pubs and restaurants.

Practical steps such as temporary relief from business rates, negotiated rent reductions and increased bank assistance all help business survive over the coming weeks until the pandemic has peaked.

Without such support already hard-pressed high streets will see a further and irreversible loss of occupied premises and the jobs and livelihoods which depend on these.

The next open NEC and Special Assembly will be the 4th July, between 11am and 4pm at the Briar Rose Hotel in Birmingham, B2 5RE.
 
Please forward any motions for the Special Assembly in advance.

The Liberal Party notes the continued closure of high street shopping chains, most recently Mothercare, selected branches of Debenhams and HMV as well as the department store chain Beales now entering administration.

The loss of high street retailers has a direct effect on local employment, reduced business rates income to councils and leave many urban centres in a derelict state.

A combination of changing shopping habits, online competition, increased business rates and perceived high rental costs continue to impose a heavy burden on conventional business.

Although many businesses are siting high rentals charges as an issue in itself, it should be noted these simply reflected market rates and should not be seen in isolation. Landlord are themselves businesses and lose rental income when business cease trading.

The party urgently calls upon the government to direct its efforts towards revitalising the nations highstreets with reform to the business rates system, and a level playing field for bricks and motor business regarding online competition.

There will be a Special Assembly and NEC meeting in Birmingham on the 1st February 2020.
 
It will be held in the Briar Rose Hotel, Bennett's Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RE and will run from midday till 4pm.
 
Please let Stephen Graham have any items you wish to have on the agenda and any motions for discussion in advanced.
 
Stephen would also like to supply letters delegating nominating rights and certificates of authority to stand as a party candidate to  anybody looking to stand in next may’s elections.

The basis of Liberal policy on government is that power and service provision is devolved down to the lowest and most local decision-making body consistent with the efficient use of resources. In this way, much of the power currently concentrated at Westminster and Whitehall could be devolved, leaving Parliament to manage the economy and international affairs.
 
We support further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and call for a Cornish and English Regional Assemblies to be established.
 
Promoted by Stephen Graham on behalf of the Liberal Party, 12 Dayworth Mews, Lundy Lane, Reading, RG30 2RR

The Liberal Party believes that young people develop as citizens through their experiences at home, school, in their leisure time and at work. Vital to this development is an understanding of our society and the history of the British Islands and their relationship to the wider world.
 
The ability of future generations to have confidence in our democratic systems is paramount to the stability of our nation and the world. An understanding of The Commonwealth and organisations working for peace and reconciliation internationally needs to be embedded encouraged and fostered in our cultural services and educational system. Liberal values and respect for diversity and inclusion are at the heart of this.
 
Promoted by Stephen Graham on behalf of the Liberal Party, 12 Dayworth Mews, Lundy Lane, Reading, RG30 2RR

The Liberal Party believes that the UK's armed forces have been cut to levels which are no longer consistent with national defence and our international obligations.
 
We therefore want to see the UK return to the equivalent of our pre-2010 defence spending to increase both the number of service personnel and the quality of their equipment.
 
Defence cuts have had a disastrous effect on the morale and effectiveness of all three services.
We believe that British forces deserve the best equipment available and we acknowledge recent years’ neglect can only be corrected with substantial financial funding.
 
This proposed increase in funding could be financed on a long-term basis by scaling back on the UKs nuclear capability, by cancelling the Trident replacement programme, which the National Audit Office now forecasts will cost over £50 billion.
 
Promoted by Stephen Graham on behalf of the Liberal Party, 12 Dayworth Mews, Lundy Lane, Reading, RG30 2RR