The Government are refusing to accept cross-party amendments to the Trade Bill that would put human rights at the heart of our trade policy.

The UK and the world can't just stand by and do nothing.

This is particularly important because of what is happening to the Uyghur people in Xinjiang and across China. The Foreign Secretary last week described the mounting evidence to the Commons:

Farmers across the country are worried about their future - they're worried that the UK will be flooded with poor quality food that undercuts the goods they produce to high environmental and animal welfare standards.

Liberal Democrats back British farmers.

The Conservatives have continually failed to protect our farmers from these risks.

Welcome to the Weekly Whip. Your one-stop shop for Lib Dem Parliamentary updates, covering the week that was and the week to come.

For up to date information from the Lib Dem Whips Office, follow us on Twitter: @LibDemWhips

Weekly Whip w/c 11th January

Monday 11th January

Monday started off with a statement from the Chancellor who has been notably quiet as of late. He came to the House to update MPs on the most recent packages of support for individuals and businesses during the pandemic.

Vivienne Parry, Lib Dem Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow South, has welcomed the news that work will commence shortly on a COVID testing station at Galdeford Car Park, Ludlow.

Vivienne said: " I've been speaking with the workmen on the site last week and they hope to have it up and running soon. It will be a walk-in facility but people will have to book beforehand to take a test. It will really boost the capacity for testing in Soth Shropshire"

A number of Councillors in the West of the County are urging action by Shropshire Council and the public to combat an upsurge in litter across the County, especially along roadside verges.

Ruth Houghton, Shropshire Councillor for Bishop's Castle Division explained: "Recurring periods of lockdown has had a major impact on our rural areas both in terms of collection of litter coupled with a serious upsurge in litter being dropped on the roadside especially at beauty spots which are still attracting visitors from outside our area.

Heather Kidd, Shropshire Councillor for Chirbury and Worthen, added: "Some parts of our road network are really looking a mess. I spent several hours picking litter off the verges around Chirbury and barely scratched the surface. It's clear that both Council the Highways Agency have scaled back dramatically on litter clearing but worryingly it also suggests that some motorists are throwing more litter."

The Green Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce that Kishan Devani, BEM, FSRA has been appointed as Honorary Vice President.

Green Liberal Democrats' Chair, Keith Melton, said:

"We are delighted to have Kishan join GLD as Honorary Vice President. Kishan's excellent work on community cohesion (for which he was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2020) and racial equality, together with his tireless campaigning will be of great value as we reach out to our diverse community of Liberal Democrat activists."

For years, this Government have promised our fishing industry a sea of opportunity, but, today, our boats are tied up in harbour, their propellers fouled with red tape manufactured in Whitehall.

Our boats are tied up in harbour, their propellers fouled with red tape manufactured in Whitehall.

Boats that are able to go to sea are landing their catches in Denmark-an expensive round trip of at least 72 hours, which takes work away from processors and other shoreside businesses in this country.

Councillors in south-west Shropshire are getting concerned that they could lose fire cover if firefighters are not vaccinated urgently. New rules have been introduced that require firefighters to self-isolate for ten days if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive with Covid-19. That could decimate fire cover in rural areas of Shropshire and take out entire stations.

I tabled the Immigration (Health and Social Care Staff) Bill 2019-21, which was due for its second reading on Friday.

Lib Dems will continue to fight for healthcare workers' rights

But the Government have decided to axe all sitting Fridays until the end of March, meaning dozens of Private Members Bills will effectively be shut down.