Lib Dems join campaigners to deliver Long Covid petition to Downing Street

On International Long Covid Day, Liberal Democrat MPs Christine Jardine and Alistair Carmichael have today joined campaigners to hand a petition into Downing Street asking for compensation and pensions for key workers with occupational Long Covid.  

The Keyworker Petition was started by Scottish Liberal Democrat activist and nurse Cass Macdonald, along with two other campaigners. It is advocating for the establishment of a compensation scheme and pension for all key workers who contracted Covid-19 in the course of their duties and who have since developed Long Covid.    

With 126,386 signatures so far, the petition has received a significant amount of support.

Speaking after the petition was handed in, Christine Jardine MP said:  

“I am incredibly proud all the hard work that Cass and her fellow campaigners have put into this. Long Covid is a horrendous illness which carries severely debilitating effects, and that is why we need the government to take real action right now.

“From teaching to policing, from social care to ambulance services, key workers across various sectors are struggling to find the support they need. Having been unable to return to work after contracting the illness, many are now suffering from financial deprivation, homelessness and other health issues.  

“People have had enough of the empty platitudes, policy spin and broken promises.

“This campaign is an essential platform for raising awareness and championing the needs of key workers whose lives have been thrown into disarray. Liberal Democrats will continue to press for better support and stronger rights to protect all those suffering from Long Covid.”