Earlier today, Layla Moran MP, Tobias Ellwood MP and Sarah Champion MP urgently wrote to Dominic Raab urging the UK Government to reverse its decision to not give visas to Chevening scholars still in Afghanistan. The text of the letter is below:

Following the sentencing of Tong Ying-kit under Hong Kong's National Security Law, Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran has written to Dominic Raab urging the UK Government to step up.

Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and International Development spokesperson, has marked the United Nations’ World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Around the globe, the pandemic has increased the number of people being trafficked domestically, including children. We have to work across political divides and across borders to put a stop to this injustice.

Layla Moran and Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats have launched a new petition calling on the Government to introduce a Covid Recovery Visa for the hospitality sector. Launching the petition, Layla Moran MP, who has previously called for the visa’s introduction during Prime Minister’s Questions, said that the hospitality industry “has been hit by a triple whammy” of Brexit, the points-based immigration system, and the Government’s handling of the pandemic.

Layla Moran has tabled a Commons motion congratulating local constituents and ‘Spennylympics’ duo Stuart Bates and Charlotte Nichols for their “inspirational” upcoming challenge for charity. 

Vale of White Horse residents Stuart and Charlotte will be taking part in their ‘Spennylympics’, where they will try to complete every single Olympic event. This will all be done during the 17 days of the Tokyo Games - 49 sports and over 96 events. It is in memory of Stuart’s brother Spencer (“Spenny”) who sadly passed away in August 2011 from motor neurone disease. 

Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has congratulated the Oxford Vaccine Group and Jenner Institute for winning the Excellence in Healthcare Award at the NHS Parliamentary Awards for their outstanding achievements during the pandemic.

In September, Layla nominated seven individuals and teams of local heroes - including the vaccine group - for the different awards. This was followed by a tough judging process to whittle down the almost 700 nominees into a shortlist, for which the Oxford Vaccine Group and the Jenner Institute, both part of the University of Oxford, were chosen.

Layla Moran has tabled a motion of congratulations and best wishes in the House of Commons for her constituent Sholto Carnegie, for his participation in the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.  It comes after Carnegie, 26, made a splash in British rowing after an oar-inspiring 2019 season as part of the British men’s four team, winning World Bronze, European Gold and World Cup III silver.

Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has co-sponsored a cross-party bill that would give workers the right to work flexibly. The Flexible Working Bill was introduced to the Commons by Tulip Siddiq MP as a private members’ bill.

Layla said she was “proud” to support the Bill, adding that “we emerge from the pandemic, we must give people the right to work flexibly as part of any effort to build back better.”

Layla Moran has said the “confusion must end” and the Government “must urgently clarify its position” when it comes to the Everyone In rough sleeping scheme and its continuation.

It comes after Layla told the Homelessness Minister in the Commons yesterday that “several councils have reported that the Government has instructed them, through the terms of the rough sleeping initiative funding allocations, to end the use of emergency accommodation for those sleeping rough, so signalling the end of the Everyone In scheme.”

Layla Moran recently met with members of Thrupp Lane Residents’ Association and Friends of Radley Lakes, to discuss the future of the area, including the proposed Radley Lakes Masterplan and safety issues on Thrupp Lane for pedestrians and cyclists.  Layla said Radley Lakes “is a hidden gem right on Abingdon’s doorstep”, and thanked Friends of Radley Lakes for discussing the masterplan with her “to make sure the area is a haven for conservation and recreation” in the future.