Countless families are facing serious financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. More than a million people have lost their jobs and many more are worried about losing theirs in the weeks and months ahead.

We are also facing big challenges in deep-seated inequality and the climate emergency.

We must ensure no one is left behind.

Coronavirus teaches many lessons. For me, one stands out: the importance of caring and carers - in care homes, supporting vulnerable people at home and millions of unpaid carers looking after loved ones.

People who've never appreciated how the NHS and care sector needed to work more closely together have seen that all too clearly, with the tragedy of COVID care home deaths.

We all want schools to reopen to more pupils when it is safe for them to do so. Our school leaders, teachers, school staff and governors have been working incredibly hard to already make this happen for some children.

Our children's futures must come before party politics

The safety of teachers, staff, pupils and their families has to be paramount, and we must always follow the science. The only thing worse than keeping our children from learning would be a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government must not only be held to account, but step up and solve the crises as quickly as possible - and delay Brexit until they've sorted out the COVID-19 crises.

After failing to provide adequate PPE, testing and public health advice, it's no surprise that public trust in the Government is waning. People have made heartbreaking sacrifices. They deserve to know the truth. The Government must commit to a public inquiry to ensure it does not repeat the mistakes of the past.The fact remains that a comprehensive test, trace and isolate system is still the only way to keep people safe as we move out of lockdown.

Today we have introduced a Bill to require the Government to seek a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period, in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

To choose a No Deal Brexit and crash out, when the option to extend the transition is possible, would be an act of national self-harm - especially when our NHS, economy and food supply chains are already stretched and struggling.

On this 75^th anniversary of VE Day we remember all those who put their lives at risk to defend our freedoms and defeat fascism.

Paying tribute to the sacrifices made during the Second World War, Liberal Democrat Acting Leader Ed Davey said:

"Today we honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as all today's armed forces who continue to sacrifice so much to keep us all safe. We cannot thank them enough for what they are doing at home and around the world today, defending freedom.

"We must never grow complacent or be fooled into thinking that war is impossible.

A new report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) found more than 76% of Health and Social Care workers have not been offered a test for Covid-19.

In response to these findings, our Health spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

"It is good news the Government has managed to significantly expand testing, but these reports are deeply concerning.

"Health and Social Care workers on the frontline of the fight against the Coronavirus have put their lives on the line to protect their communities. It is outrageous they have not received the PPE and testing they need.

Responding to the announcement from the Secretary of State for Health that bereaved families of NHS staff will receive compensation, Layla Moran MP, who first called for the measure last month, said:

"This is a win for my cross-party campaign to introduce a Coronavirus Compensation Scheme, backed by The Express and The Times newspapers.

The Lib Dems have launched a plan for a comprehensive package of support for the 2.2 million NHS and social care workers on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis

The package includes: ensuring workers have the personal protective equipment they need, now; practical help to make day-to-day life a little easier; extra pay to reflect the extra dangers they face; additional support for those who die in service; and a new medal to recognise their service during this perilous time.

Government still failing to provide essential protection for carers

Responding to Health Secretary's press conference, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

"Promoting the use of the Care Badge, initially announced in March 2019, is welcome. Carers throughout the country are making enormous sacrifices to care for people during the Coronavirus crisis and must be recognised alongside NHS workers.

Yet however welcome the badge, Ministers have still not managed to provide all carers with the protection they desperately need.

It is regrettably becoming clear that the Government is failing to deliver on key promises to care workers, especially over supplies of protective equipment."