Lib Dems say increase in social media tax could fund mental health care in schools
Sir Ed Davey made the announcement today
Last updated 30th May 2024
Sir Ed Davey continued his tour of the UK with a visit to Frome and announced his plan to treble taxes for search engine and social media firms that could fund a mental health professional in every primary and secondary school.
The Party leader said children are “being left in limbo” when they seek mental health care.
Sir Ed said: “Thousands of children are being left in limbo, forced to suffer intolerably long waits for mental health treatment. They are being failed by this Conservative government who have neglected the NHS and abandoned parents and children.
“Liberal Democrats would put a dedicated, qualified mental health professional in every school both primary and secondary, funded by a tax on the social media giants that are such a big part of the problem.
“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to get rid of this appalling Conservative government and fix the health and care crisis.”
The PA said "According to House of Commons Library research, which the party has published, 336,885 children and young people were on a mental health waiting list in the quarter ending in March throughout England, with hotspots in Birmingham and Solihull (17,035 patients), Kent and Medway (15,550) and Coventry and Warwickshire (15,500)."
The election campaign today
Angela Rayner has backed Labour veteran Diane Abbott to stand at the General Election as the party leadership denied an attempt to "purge" left-wingers.
Ms Abbott's own future remains uncertain after she said she wants to fight to retain her seat "as long as it is possible" after the party whip was restored following an investigation into controversial comments about racism.
Deputy Labour leader Ms Rayner said "I don't think there's any reason" why Diane Abbott should not stand and the row over her future was "not a great look".
Her comments are more forthright than party leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has repeatedly said no decision has yet been taken about whether Ms Abbott, who in 1987 became the first black woman elected to Parliament, will be allowed to defend her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat.
Uncertainty about Ms Abbott's fate, the suspension of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who was MP for Brighton Kemptown and the decision not to endorse candidate Faiza Shaheen in Chingford and Woodford Green has led to complaints that Sir Keir and his allies are carrying out a "cull" of the Labour left.
Ms Rayner told the Guardian: "I don't think it's a purge.
"I don't know the details of the individual cases but I do know that we put a robust system in place around vetting and dealing with serious allegations that are made in the party.
"We had to do that because when me and Keir took over the party was failing."
She told Sky News: "I don't think Keir is acting in a factional way. You do have factions in the Labour Party.
"But you know, our party will only succeed if we're a broad church."
She added it was "not a great look with the way Diane was briefed against".
The row meant that for a second day, Sir Keir's General Election campaign has been dominated by questions about internal Labour Party affairs.
The uncertainty over Ms Abbott's position comes because she had the Labour whip suspended in April 2023 pending an investigation after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice but not racism.
The whip was restored on Tuesday, but Ms Abbott said she was "dismayed" by reports that she could be barred as a candidate.
There has been speculation the return of the whip could have allowed her to retire with dignity.
Ms Rayner told The Guardian: "I want to see her be able to retire with her 37 years of service being respected and being celebrated."
But "if Diane wanted to stand again, I don't see any reason why she can't".
Speaking to broadcasters in Monmouthshire, Sir Keir denied he was removing left-wingers from the Labour candidates list and said: "The situation in relation to Diane Abbott is that no decision has been taken to bar her and you have to remember that she was a trailblazer as an MP, she overcame incredible challenges to achieve what she achieved in her political career.
"She carved out a path for others to come into politics and she did all that whilst also being one of the most abused MPs across all political parties.
"But I've always had the aspiration that we will have the best quality candidates as we go into this election."
Mr Russell-Moyle cannot stand in the July 4 election after being suspended by Labour over what he called a "vexatious and politically-motivated complaint" against him.
And Ms Shaheen is consulting lawyers after being the victim of a "huge injustice" after not being endorsed as the Labour candidate to take on former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.
She said: "At 9pm last night, by email, I learned that Labour has removed me as its candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, less than six weeks before the General Election, after working to win this seat for over four years."
Ms Abbott said the situation was "appalling" and asked: "Whose clever idea has it been to have a cull of left wingers?"
Sir Keir was campaigning alongside Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething, who is facing his own difficulties including a no confidence motion due to be debated next week in the Senedd.
In other developments:
- Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey rode down a children's water slide in a large rubber ring in the latest photo stunt of his campaign.
- Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves ruled out increasing VAT following a claim from Jeremy Hunt she had a secret plan to hike the tax.
- The Green Party launched its campaign in Bristol, with co-leader Carla Denyer saying they would push a future Labour government to go "beyond the timid change they are offering".
- Reform UK leader Richard Tice ruled out any form of electoral pact with the Tories.
- Mr Tice said there should be an "employer immigration tax" to wean firms off the "addiction" to foreign workers.