On the 24th September, Munira was on BBC’s Question Time and used the opportunity to speak on Universal Credit cuts, the HGV lorry driver crisis, climate change matters and post-pandemic healthcare. Munira was on the panel in Cambridge with; Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport; David Lammy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice; Richard Walker, Managing Director of Iceland Foods; and Kate Andrews, Economics Correspondent for The Spectator Magazine.
On the callous Universal Credit cut, Munira referenced how harshly it will impact her constituents, such as those with disabilities. Combined with the food shortages, the National Insurance rise and a looming energy price increase, the cuts to Universal Credit will have disastrous consequences for the most vulnerable in our society. You can watch the full clip here:
On the HGV lorry driver shortages, Munira emphasised how the Government must find a solution, starting with bringing in migrant workers and putting in place a visa route to enable HGV drivers to come back to the UK. Munira outlined how this highlights the Government’s approach of lurching from one crisis to the next. Rather than planning for the long-run, we are watching a ‘just-in-time’ Government which does not carry out the necessary contingency planning needed to take place around our ever-changing workforce. You can watch the full clip here:
Munira also spoke on climate change in response to a question about the Insulate Britain protests on the M25. Munira opposes the blocking of motorways which is dangerous and counter-productive. However, she agrees that much more needs to be done on insulation in Britain. Munira outlined how energy prices are going up in part due to the poor insulation of British homes. When in Government, the Liberal Democrats introduced a zero-carbon home standard that has since been scrapped by the Conservatives. Not a single carbon zero home has been built since. Munira concluded that to cut fuel poverty and harmful emissions, an emergency insulation programme needs to be implemented. You can watch the full clip here:
Lastly, Munira touched on how most of us are looking forward to the opportunity of having face-to-face appointments with our GPs as pandemic restrictions ease. However, not only does there need to be enough GPs, but their practices must also have enough funding to match post-pandemic demand. You can watch the full clip here:
The full Question Time episode can be watched on BBC iPlayer.