Extracts of Vince Cable's main conference speech

"A disaster looms. Brexit. The product of a fraudulent and frivolous campaign led by two groups of silly public school boys living their dormitory pillow fights.

"And now, thanks to Boris Johnson, they have degenerated into a full-scale school riot with the head teacher hiding, barricaded in her office.

"In the real world, we have yet to experience the full impact of leaving Europe. But we have a taste of what is to come in the fall of the value of the pound.

"Foreign exchange dealers are not point scoring politicians. Their cold, hard, unsentimental judgement has been, quite simply, that Brexit Britain will be poorer and weaker after Brexit than if we had decided to stay in Europe.

"Brexit was described by the Brexit Secretary himself as an operation of such technical complexity that it makes the moon landing look simple.

"It is a pity that the Brexit landing is being managed by people who would struggle to get their heads around a toddlers’ Lego set. They live in a world of infantile fairy tales.

On Labour

"We might have expected better from Labour. Many people got behind them in June, expecting a better politics and a better future from him.  They are already being betrayed.

"Today’s Labour Party isn’t into problem solving; let alone governing. Jeremy Corbyn’s acolytes are focused on how to maximise the contradictions of capitalism.

"You don’t qualify for the Shadow Cabinet these days unless you have studied the Venezuelan guide on how to bankrupt a rich economy.  "No wonder they back Brexit. No wonder they lined up behind Theresa May, maximising the chance of chaos and disruption.

"Then a few weeks ago the moderates briefly penetrated the Corbyn bunker. They persuaded him that collaborating quite so closely with the class enemy didn’t look too good.

"So, they have a new policy: to stay in the Single market and Customs Union, possibly; or to leave, maybe. Or maybe to stay in for a bit, and then leave.

"I am trying to be kind here: I am trying to understand what they are trying to say. I think the current line is, we should transition to the transition gradually while we prepare for a post-transition world.

"This is what they mean by the smack of firm leadership on the biggest issue of the day.

"But if Jeremy Corbyn sits on the fence any longer, he is in danger of being sliced up the middle by the serrated edge.

"He would do better to get off the fence and refurbish his revolutionary credentials.  Jeremy – join us in the Anti Brexit People’s Liberation Front!"

Political adults

"What the people want. What the country now desperately needs is some political adults.

"That’s you. That’s us. "Fortunately, we are not alone. There are sensible grown-ups in the Conservative party and the Labour Party and the Greens. And beyond them are millions of people deeply worried about what is happening.

"We have to put aside tribal differences and work alongside like-minded people to keep the Single Market and Customs Union, essential for trade and jobs;

"Europe’s high environmental and social standards; shared research; help for our poorer regions; cooperation over policing and terrorism.

"Europe, of course, needs reform but you don’t achieve reform by walking away.

"Our position is clear: the Liberal Democrats are the party of Remain.

"The government is now stuck in divorce negotiations for which it is hopelessly ill-prepared and internally divided.

"So I have some advice for Theresa May now. Take the issue of EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in Europe out of these negotiations.

"Using them as bargaining chips is not merely morally wrong but utterly counter-productive. Put the lives of 4 million people first not the posturing internal politics of the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.

"The government should declare a Right to Remain – now. A Referendum

"At the end of these tortuous divorce negotiations, the British public must be given a vote on the outcome.

"Let me be clear. This is not a call for a re-run – a second referendum – on Brexit.

"It is a call for a first referendum on the facts: when we know what Brexit means. We know that our call will, of course, be resented by the Brexit fundamentalists.

"We will be denounced as traitors and saboteurs. I’m half prepared for a spell in a cell with Supreme Court judges, Gina Miller, Ken Clarke, and the governors of the BBC.

"But if the definition of sabotage is fighting to protect British jobs, public services, the environment and civil liberties, then I am a proud saboteur.

"Brexiteers will say: “we have already voted to leave.  How dare you flout democracy.”  "It is actually quite difficult to follow the argument. It seems to go that consulting the public - having a vote – is undemocratic.

"Why?  What are they afraid of? Are they afraid that the claims of £350m a week for the NHS won’t wash anymore?

"That claim has rightly been dismissed by the UK Statistics Authority. No wonder Boris and the Brexiteers are so afraid of the people, and the facts. "They now believe in the slogan of dictators everywhere: “one person, one vote, once.”

"We believe the public have a right to change their mind."

Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire teamed up with Motherwell, Celtic and Airdrie FC to host a special football competition to raise awareness about the high death rates in Scotland.

Ravenscraig was the venue for the 7-a-side tournament on Wednesday 13 September featuring more than 80 players from across the central belt. The event highlighted help is available for those worried about suicide and mental health issues.

Suicide is responsible for more deaths in Scotland each year than traffic accidents, and in particular affects young men in the 30-50 year-old age group.

Former Celtic player and academy coach George McCluskey joined Motherwell coach Keith Lasley and Airdrie captain Marc Fitzpatrick at the tournament to support efforts to tackle suicide and let people know help is available.

Lynne MacDonald, Suicide Prevention Officer with North Lanarkshire Council said: "Our annual football tournament and suicide prevention week raises public awareness about the devastating impact of suicide and helps promote the services which are there to help those in need.

"However, suicide affects lives across Scotland every day of every week. We need to shatter the silence of suicide and all take an active role in supporting people concerned or worried about suicide."

Teams in the tournament, organised by North Lanarkshire Leisure, included the Airdrie Mental Health and Addictions team, Voluntary sector South Lanarkshire and the Scottish Veterans service.

Motherwell FC coach Keith Lasley said: "As a football club, we are proud to support North Lanarkshire Council in efforts to help raise awareness about suicide and highlight the services in the community which are there to help. Hopefully we can act as role models in getting the message out there for people to be aware of potential warning signs and how to be able to offer help and support."

ABC Note: Over 600 people commit suicide in Scotland every year and over 7,000 people are treated in hospital each year for incidents of non-fatal self-harm. Within the general population, 13% reported having suicidal thoughts, 4% had attempted suicide and 2% had committed an act of self-harm at some time in their lives (Office for National Statistics, 2002). It is estimated that approximately 1 in 17 (250,000) people are having thoughts of suicide at any one time in Scotland.

Important information: If you are feeling suicidal or suspect that someone you know is considering suicide, contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours) or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87. 

The Liberal Democrats have called on Theresa May to use her speech next week in Florence to change course and unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU nationals, to prevent a 'Brexodus' of thousands of nurses and teachers working in Britain’s schools and hospitals. In a conference motion passed today, the party demanded that the government urgently publish a review into the impact its Brexit policies are having on staffing shortfalls in public services.

There are over 60,000 EU nationals working in the NHS, making up 10% of doctors and 7% of nurses. In addition, there are nearly 100,000 EU staff working in the social care system.

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to immediately lift the pay cap on the armed forces to address a growing recruitment crisis.

Currently, a newly trained private on £18,488 would see a £351 real-terms pay cut next year once inflation is taken into account. The Liberal Democrats would raise wages in line with inflation, meaning a newly trained private would get a pay rise of £536 up to just over £19,000.

Latest figures show the number of fully trained regular Army soldiers has dropped to 77,940, way below the 2020 target of 82,000.

Voting at conference, the party also called for improved support for the families of those serving in the armed forces and an urgent review into skills shortages

The number of people claiming out of work benefits in Sunderland has increased, according to the latest figures.

Statistics show that 5,710 people were in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance and unemployment Universal Credit in August, up from 5,610 in July. The figure in June stood at 5,785.

In the North East, the number of unemployed stood at 77,000, meaning six per cent of people in the region are currently without work and

The number of South Tynesiders claiming out of work benefits has risen slightly in the past month, new figures have revealed.

Statistics show that 4,070 people in the borough were in receipt of the benefit in August, up from 4,025 in July. The figure in June stood at 4,155.

The number of people in Hartlepool claiming out of work benefits has continued to rise, according to new figures. Statistics show that 3,625 people in the town were in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance and unemployment-related Universal Credit in August, up from 3,600 in July. The figure in June stood at 3,505. In the Stockton North constituency, 2,255 people were claiming in August, slightly down from 2,265 in July, while in Sedgefield, the claimant count stood at 1,290 people last month, down from 1,300 in July.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that 1,360 people in the Isle of Wight area were claiming ‘out of work benefits’ during August 2017.

The figures show fall of 20 since July, when there were 1,380 claimants, and a rise of 100 from August 2016 (1,260 JSA claimants).

New measures

Irish people should receive the state pension at the age of 70 in order to protect the economy, it has been said. 

According newstalk.com, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has suggested that Irish citizens should work until they’re 70 to qualify for the state pension. 

The current qualifying age of 66, is one of the highest in the European Union and is set to rise further. Planned increases will see the state pension age rise to 67 in 2021 and 68 by 2028. 

In order to protect the Irish economy, however, the government’s think-tank is suggesting that this should be extended to 70. 

As quoted by Newstalk, Age Action Ireland head of advocacy and communications Justin Moran disputed this proposal, stating that it will affect people’s health. He explained that people would be unable to work in physically demanding jobs to this age. 

Furhermore, Fianna Fáil’s education spokesperson  noted that many people already work past the retirement age. "There are a lot of people - including my own father - still working in their 70s, some of them by necessity."

Image: Thomas Byrne, Fianna Fáil’s education spokesperson. 

Last year, a cross department working group told Minister Paschal Donohoe that retiring at 65 was becoming impractical, Newstalk noted. 

Last month, it was reported that Ireland’s social protection minister Regina Doherty is to call for a €5 weekly state pension increase in budget negotiations with finance minister Paschal Donohoe.

Image: Regina Doherty, Ireland’s social protection minister.

On Wednesday 13 September, Demos and the British Council convened a high-level public discussion in Parliament on the themes of our joint year-long Next Generation UK project, which explored the attitudes and aspirations of young adults across the UK. 

Speakers: 
James Cleverly MP
Lisa Nandy MP
Michael Sani, founder of Bite the Ballot
Priscilla Mensah, former Cambridge SU president
Chair: Marie le Conte, freelance journalist, formerly of BuzzFeed

This event followed a Question Time format, with audience members actively participating in questioning the speakers on the theme of 'youth engagement'.

Yesterday Glasgow City Council voted in favour of a feasibility study to be commissioned, looking into a possible 'Rent Pressure Zone'. This vote has come after the hugely successful Glasgow branch launch where members voted overwhelmingly to make this a central campaign.

A Rent Pressure Zone designed to cap any future increase in rent in a local authority area will become available as part of the new Private Tenancy Bill due to come in to place at the end of the year. Living Rent were an integral part of the campaign to introduce this bill and the added security it provides. Now we are leading the way in ensuring it is utilised to its fullest potential.

According to a recent survey, Australians are spending 19.6 per cent of their household expenditure on housing.

The 2015-16 Household Expenditure Survey shows the average family spent about $1,425 a week (£849.634) or (€956.091) — $190 more than six years earlier.

Household debt had also doubled since 2003-4, with the average family owing $169,000 (£100,774.72) or (€113,393.55). Property debt accounted for nearly 90 per cent of this.

The largest weekly expense for families was housing — such as rents and mortgages — followed by food and then transport.

However, the amount spent on power and energy had jumped 26 per cent since 2009-10 — an increase of 11 per cent in real terms.

That's up from 18 per cent in 2009-10.

And for low income families that's even higher with the average household spending a whopping 23.4 per cent on average just on housing.

And when it comes to powering those homes, the amount spent on energy has jumped 26 per cent since 2009-10.

That's an increase of 11 per cent.

A recent survey by consumer group CHOICE found the housing crisis was worrying 77 per cent of young Australians.

The survey found out of renters, 9 per cent of renters had deliberately missed rental payments, 28 per cent have had to borrow money from friends and family and 19 per cent have had to live off a credit card until pay day.

Amid widespread criticism the DWP select Committee are looking at Universal Credit.

DWP’s preparedness for the scheduled acceleration of the rollout of full service Universal Credit from October 2017, including waits for payments, advance payments, impact on and communication with local authorities and landlords, Alternative Payment Arrangements, the effects of planned Jobcentre closures and the proposed flexible arrangements in Scotland.

Call for written submissions

The Committee invites submissions on the ongoing rollout of the full Universal Credit service. The previous Work and Pensions Committee’s work in this area was cut short by the general election.

Submissions made to the Committee in the previous Parliament (Universal Credit update) can be used in this inquiry, and do not need to be resubmitted. Updates are, however, very welcome.

The Committee is particularly interested in receiving updates and new submissions on developments since April 2017 and recommendations for policy change on the following points:

• What have been the effects of the introduction of full Universal Credit service in areas where it has replaced the live service?
• How long are people waiting for their Universal Credit claim to be processed, why, and what impact is this having on them?
• Is the advance payment system appropriate and is there adequate awareness of its availability?
• How are claimants managing with being paid Universal Credit monthly in arrears? Is the Alternative Payment Arrangements system working effectively?
• Has Universal Credit improved the accuracy of a) payments and b) registration of claims?
• What impact is Universal Credit having on rent arrears, what effect is this having on landlords and claimants, and how could the situation be improved?Does Universal Credit provide people in emergency temporary accommodation with the support they need? If not, how could this be improved?
• What impact is Universal Credit having on the income and costs of local authorities, housing associations, charities and other local organisations?How well is Universal Support working, and how could it been improved?
• What effect will the scheduled Jobcentre Plus closure and relocation programme have on the operation of Universal Credit?
• Is the roll-out schedule appropriate?

In June 2017, the Scottish Government published its response to the consultation on introducing new flexibilities to Universal Credit claims and payments (PDF 295KB) in Scotland. In light of this publication, the Committee also seeks submissions on the following points:

• What steps are Scottish local authorities taking to prepare to implement the new flexibilities, and do they anticipate any difficulty in doing so?
• What is the anticipated impact of the new flexibilities on claimant and housing provider experiences with Universal Credit?
• Is there a case for introducing the flexibilities elsewhere in UK?

The deadline for written submissions is Friday 13 October 2017

Send a written submission

The Scottish Parliament debates Universal Credit