And here are the rest…

• Lib Dems: Johnson’s comments show he is no champion of women’s rights
• Sarah Wollaston: Number of GP practices falls to record low as winter crisis approaches
• Lib Dems won’t let your future melt away
• Tory threat to Channel 4 is attempt to cover up Johnson’s cowardice

Lib Dems: Johnson’s comments show he is no champion of women’s rights

Responding to Boris Johnson’s comments on single mothers, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine, said:

So many of us in this country know the reality of the sacrifice and effort made by single parents. But yet again these comments show Boris Johnson is not fit to be Prime Minister and is no champion of women’s or children’s’ rights.

My father died suddenly at 44 leaving my mum with three daughters, none of whom grew up ignorant or aggressive. I am offended that my mother’s parenting of three successful daughters should be characterised

The Liberal Democrats are committed to women’s rights and supporting all families. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to offer free high-quality childcare from nine months to all working parents and to build a brighter future.

Sarah Wollaston: Number of GP practices falls to record low as winter crisis approaches

The number of GP practices has fallen to a new record low of 6,867 while the number of qualified GPs has dropped by 339, NHS figures published today have revealed.

The Liberal Democrats have warned that the Conservative Party’s failure to meet its promise to address the shortfall in GPs has left the country poorly equipped to deal with the upcoming winter crisis.

Today’s statistics for September 2019 reveal:

• The number of GP practices in England has fallen to 6,867, a decrease of 270 (3.8%) compared to the previous year and the lowest number since records began in 1995.

• The number of full-time equivalent GPs in England fell to 28,315 in September 2019, down 339 (1.2%) compared to the previous year.

• The amount of GP time available per patient in England has dropped by almost 10% over the past four years, from 60.5 minutes a year in 2015 to just 55.2 a minutes a year in 2019.

In the run-up to the 2015 general election, then health secretary Jeremy Hunt promised an extra 5,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) GPs by 2020/21.
Liberal Democrat candidate for Totnes and former GP Sarah Wollaston said:

People across the country struggling to get appointments will be appalled to see the number of GPs and practices continuing to fall. The Conservatives have completely failed to keep their promise to increase the number of GPs and have now plucked an even greater number out of the air.

People depend on GP practices for their front-line care. Both patients and the primary care workforce have been badly let down by this government and the situation in General Practice will make for a very difficult winter across the NHS.

People deserve better. The Liberal Democrats would properly invest in our NHS, reverse the damaging impact of under-investment in primary care and build a brighter future. We have a credible plan to increase the number of GPs and invest in social care, so we can take the pressure off our overstretched hospitals and A&E departments.

Lib Dems won’t let your future melt away

Following tonight’s Climate Change Leader’s debate, Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor and Deputy Leader said:

Tonight Jo Swinson showed what it means to lead on tackling the climate emergency.

Boris Johnson’s failure to even turn up shows his arrogant disregard for the climate crisis facing our planet.

Like Boris Johnson’s ice sculpture, the Tories are happy to watch your future melt away, thanks to their disastrous Brexit which will leave us with less influence and less to invest in tackling the climate emergency.

Only the Liberal Democrats have a clear, realistic but radical plan to achieve net-zero by 2045, delivering the change our planet needs. A Liberal Democrat government will generate 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030, plant 60 million trees a year and invest £100 billion to build a brighter future for our planet.

Tory threat to Channel 4 is attempt to cover up Johnson’s cowardice

Responding to reports the Conservatives are threatening to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit if they win the general election, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary Chuka Umunna said:

It is appalling that the Tories are threatening Channel 4 in this way. This is a pathetic attempt to cover up for Boris Johnson’s own cowardice.

Trying to intimidate the media like this is straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook and has no place in an open and inclusive democracy.

Time and again Johnson has tried to duck scrutiny for his repeated lies and damaging Brexit plans. This election is a chance to deny Boris Johnson the majority he is taking for granted, by voting Liberal Democrat so we can take seats off the Tories across the country.