Aberavon & Neath Liberal Democrats

An extra 10.6 years for living the other side of the county

2012-01-27T14:22:00.003Z

Local Liberal Democrats have today hit out after new research showed that people who live in one area of Neath Port Talbot can expect to live 10.6 years longer than people living in another area.

Figures from the local Liberal Democrats have shown that people in Godre’r Graig can expect to live until they are 84.5 but people who live in Port Talbot can only expect to live until they are 73.6. That means there is a shocking difference of nearly eleven years just for living on the other side of the county.

Mathew McCarthy, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Neath commented: “These figures show exactly how badly people in some areas have been let down by Labour. Inequality should be a priority for the Labour government in Cardiff but these figures show that not everyone in Neath Port Talbot is having a fair shot at life. That absolutely has to change. For Labour, social justice is just a phrase they roll out at election time.”

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: “Recent studies have shown that tackling inequality has to be done across all parts of government – using the NHS, schools and the economy to improve people’s lives. When the Welsh Lib Dems secured an extra £20 million investment in the poorest school children it was because I knew that tackling differences in life expectancy needs to take place at the earliest age possible. Action like that is the first step to reducing the inequality that we see all too often in Wales."

LibDems pushing for more tax cuts to help low-paid

2012-01-26T06:59:00.002Z

Councillor Frank Little writes: There is a real push by Liberal Democrats in government, notably Business Minister Vince Cable and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, to move more quickly to take everybody earning £10,000 a year or less out of tax. It was a Liberal Democrat manifesto proposition in 2010 to do this, but the coalition agreement merely promised to achieve it by 2015. Now, however, there is a real chance that low- and middle-income taxpayers will benefit in the 2012 budget, and that the money will be found from the wealthiest - possibly from land, which cannot move abroad.

As this news release points out, Liberal Democrats in government have already:

clamped down on tax avoiders – targeting an extra £7bn every year
started taxing the banks by an extra £2.5bn every year, more than Labour's bank bonus levy would raise
stopped inheritance tax cuts for millionaires
put up Capital Gains Tax
reduced tax breaks on pension funds for the super-rich
retained the 50p rate

Raising the tax threshold immediately would pump millions into the economy because those on lower pay will spend the extra income. It's also fair

Local Post Offices saved by Liberal Democrats

2012-01-25T15:06:00.002Z

Post Offices in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend have been saved by Liberal Democrat Business Minister, Ed Davey.

After ending Labour’s shameful Post Office closure programme, which saw more than 7100 Post Offices disappear in their 13 years in office, Ed Davey has announced that a ten-year deal between the Post Office and the Royal Mail has been reached.

The deal gives additional certainty to subpostmasters across the UK and covers the full range of Royal Mail products available at post offices such as first and second class post, parcels, air mail, recorded and special deliveries.

It adds to other recent progress for the Post Office, with extra Government cash kicking in, new national and local government contracts won, successful piloting of new models to transform many local post offices and improvements in financial services offered.

Regional Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black welcomed the agreement. He said;

“After years of Post Office closures under the Labour Government, it is excellent news that Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing by ensuring that the Post Office has a sustainable future ahead of it through investment and by brokering this deal with Royal Mail.

“Post Offices are a vital part of our communities and are the lynchpin of our towns and villages. More than 20 million people visit a Post Office every week to send letters to loved ones, to manage their finances or to renew passports for holidays and hundreds of thousands of pensioners rely on them every day for their pensions.

“Labour left Royal Mail in a terrible mess and it is Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government who have stopped closures and put Royal Mail and the Post Office on a secure footing. Our plans mean that we will never see the kind of planned closures that devastated local communities under the previous Government.

“The 20 million people who use the Post Office every week don’t deserve anything less from us.”

Commenting further, Ed Davey said:

“A year ago I set out a radical plan to transform Post Office’s future, with £1.34bn of Government support and investment but without any closure programmes.

“Since then the Post Office has made good progress to become more competitive, building on its strengths.

“While it will take several years to turn round the Post Office’s finances, it’s increasingly clear the reforms are beginning to work.

“The 10-year deal struck between Royal Mail and the Post Office will give subpostmasters and others greater confidence.

“The signs are extremely encouraging for the future of the Post Office.”

Assembly Member expresses concern at rise in workload for District Nurses in ABMU Health Board area

2012-01-24T22:46:00.000Z

Figures released to the Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West, Peter Black, show a decline in the number of District Nurses in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend, whilst at the same time the number of clients dependent on their services has increased by nearly one fifth.

In Bridgend the number of qualified district nurses fell from 69.64 whole time equivalents in 2008 to 67.47 by April 2011. Over the same period the number of clients being cared for by the service rose from 4592 to 5435.

In Neath Port Talbot qualified staff went from 74.49 WTE to 67.08, with the client base increasing from 3195 to 4418. Whilst Swansea’s qualified whole time equivalent staff dropped from 94.981 to 86.481. Their client base remained relatively steady, rising slightly from 3127 in 2008 to 3427 in 2010.

Commenting on the figures, Mr. Black said: “Despite the fact that ABMU Health Board have said that they are investing in community services and changing the skill mix of staff so as to meet demand, these figures still show a significant increase in workload for District Nurses and the Health Care Workers who work with them.

“At a time when the Welsh NHS is seeking to get people out of hospital and provide more care for patients in their own homes, these trends are very worrying. My concern is that these increased workloads will take their toll on the health of District Nursing staff and increase stress levels.

I am certainly supportive of the move towards more community medicine and patient independence where appropriate, but we have to have confidence that there is sufficient investment in the relevant services and support staff so as to deliver that safely. I hope that ABMU can give those assurances.”

Nick Clegg on Andrew Marr show

2012-01-22T15:57:00.005Z

Liberal Democrats have been accused by Labour of propping up the Conservatives and worse, but Nick Clegg, deputy prime minister reminds us:

Nearly two years ago, Liberal Democrats chose to do the right thing in the national interest at a time of crisis. We put tribalism aside and the good of the country first.

We didn’t come into politics to make cuts, but with the economy on the verge of collapse we knew we had to take the difficult decisions necessary to get the deficit under control and the country back on track.

And how did the Labour Party react?

They attacked us viciously. They refused to apologise or take responsibility for the mess they created. They opposed every cut and they indulged in cynical scaremongering.

In Sheffield, David Blunkett warned of ‘post-Soviet’ meltdown with people fending for themselves. It was the politics of fear and it was a disgrace.

But now, after nearly two years of opposing every cut, Ed Miliband and Ed Balls say they won’t reverse a single one. Yet they still say they oppose them.

Confused?

They have gone from being in the wrong place to being all over the place. From denial to disarray.

Many of our excellent councillors and members of the Scottish and Welsh Assemblies lost their seats last May because of the vicious attacks of their Labour opponents. Labour must not get away with it again.

Liberal Democrats approach this May’s elections with a track record of proud, progressive achievements in Government:

Lifting a million of the poorest workers out of tax and cutting taxes, not for the rich but for 23m basic rate taxpayers;

Making the well off pay their share by raising Capital Gains Tax, a new £10bn bank levy and keeping the 50p top rate of tax;

The most generous rise in the state pension for a generation;

A revolution in the way we support the children who need help the most when it matters the most, in the crucial early years and throughout their school lives;

More apprenticeships than Britain has ever had before;

And from this April, [in England,] the Youth Contract, an ambitious £1bn programme to make sure every 18 to 24-year-old has the opportunity to earn or learn.

You can see Nick's interview by Andrew Marr here.

Wales must not be left out of Drink Drive Rehabilitation Schemes

2012-01-17T17:10:00.002Z

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has raised concerns that convicted drink drivers will have to go to England for Drink Drive Rehabilitation courses unless Ministers introduce legislation in the Welsh Assembly within the next few months.

Mr. Black has written to the Minister for Local Government, Transport and Communities asking him to commit to legislation for a Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme in Wales. Courses provide offenders with important insight into their behaviour and strategies to avoid drink driving in future and are often included as part of sentencing in the courts. Responsibility for such schemes will be passed from the Department for Transport to the Welsh Assembly in October 2012. To ensure that there is a seamless continuance in service from Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme course providers it is vital that legislation is passed by the Welsh Government before approval of existing course providers is revoked in the autumn. This is vital too, so as to protect jobs in Wales associated with these courses.

Mr. Black said: “There are a number of organisations across the UK who provide courses that drink drive offenders can be referred onto by the courts. These courses provide offenders with the ability to gain an insight into their behaviour and offer strategies to avoid drink driving in the future. It also means that their driving ban can be reduced on attendance of the course.

“As the responsibility for the administration of this scheme has been devolved to the National Assembly for Wales I am advised that separate legislation will have to be introduced by the Welsh Government if there is to be a DDRS in Wales.

“I have asked Carl Sargeant to confirm what plans the Welsh Government has to introduce this legislation in time for the revocation of approval for course providers in October.”

Kirsty targets homes, heating and the economy

2012-01-16T22:08:00.003Z

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has laid out the key issues for the party's AMs in 2012, in a statement last week. She added:

"Fuel poverty in Wales is a serious issue. Rising energy prices have had a huge impact on family budgets this winter, despite having a milder winter. Just last month, we saw the number of households living in fuel poverty in Wales rising to 41% - the highest percentage throughout the UK.

"In a civilized society, vulnerable people should not have to worry about whether or not they can afford to heat their homes. The impact on households that suffer from fuel poverty can be extreme with cold housing contributing to low attainment amongst school children, poor health and a rise in excess winter mortality rates.

"The Welsh Government failed to reach its target of taking all vulnerable households out of fuel poverty by 2010.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats have always been committed to tackling fuel poverty but there is now an even greater urgency in dealing with this issue as it is clear that Labour Government policies do not go far enough. We will work with other parties and the Welsh Government to ensure that the number of households living in fuel poverty in Wales will be in decline.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats will also work in this Assembly term to address the growing housing issue. The recent drop in the number of new homes being started in Wales are keeping house prices at unaffordable levels and this adds to the problems of first time buyers.

"We understand how difficult it is for young people to make it on the housing ladder. Many people feel trapped in renting accommodation because they can't raise the big deposit needed to buy their first home and they can't borrow money from the bank of mum and dad.

"We want to see a Welsh Government scheme where the government will act as a guarantor for a number of mortgages across Wales, helping first time buyers on the housing ladder."

Assembly Member calls for assurances on safety of Neath Port Talbot’s Children’s’ Services

2012-01-13T18:33:00.001Z

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called for assurances that children in Neath Port Talbot are being properly protected following a critical report by the Social Services Inspectorate and the rumoured departure of the Council’s Head of Childrens’ Service,

Mr. Black has written to the Neath Port Talbot’s Director of Social Services setting out his concerns about the performance of the council’s Children and Young People Service. His letter arises after having been approached by a number of concerned constituents, including professionals who work with children, who have set out their own complaints about the way that the Children and Young People Service works.

Mr. Black had previously met with the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Social Services after working with a constituent on a child protection matter, whose experience of Neath Port Talbot's Childrens' Service raised many questions about how that section operates, its processes and the way that they manage risk

Mr. Black said:

“This is the second time in as many months that I have felt obliged to raise my concerns about Neath Port Talbot’s Children and Young People Service publically. I do not do so lightly. However a meeting with a professional, who cares for children in Neath Port Talbot recently, highlighted additional concerns that reinforced the experience of a constituent I had been helping.

“These matters included an alleged lack of continuity in terms of keeping the same social worker, the quality and timeliness of interventions, the size of caseloads, and a lack of joined-up working. These issues are all too familiar from an on-going complaint that I and my staff have been dealing with since July 2011.

“Vulnerable children and families in Neath Port Talbot must be protected and helped. It is vital that immediate steps are taken to get to the root of the problems in Neath Port Talbot Children and Young People Service and put them right urgently. Changing the head of service is not enough, there needs to be full and on-going scrutiny of the department and immediate changes in practice.

“The independent Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales has already said that they have identified a number of factors which 'impact on the authority's ability to provide a safe, high quality responsive service.' Continuity of care, a settled workforce and a full overhaul of the way that staff work must be the first priorities for reform of the service.”

Ed Miliband

2012-01-11T00:22:00.006Z

Hat-tip to Jason J Hunter.

Nick Clegg helps to mend European fences

2012-01-10T15:56:00.002Z

From the Leader of the Liberal Democrat ELDR Council Delegation

Nick Clegg hosted a meeting of European Liberal Ministers, Party Leaders and Commissioners in London yesterday at Admiralty House. This was a party political event organised by and held under the aegis of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform party (ELDR). It was entirely funded by ELDR and approved by propriety and ethics in the Cabinet Office.

This is the first time in years where this sort of meeting has been held. Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, has offered to host another such meeting later this year.

The two key themes of the meeting were (i) the need for EU unity at this difficult time and (ii) a call for an urgent and ambitious European jobs and growth plan.

This is reflected in the attached joint statement that was agreed and signed by the participants.

This includes:

- 2 Prime Ministers - Netherlands (Rutte) & Estonia (Ansip).
- 4 Deputy Prime Ministers - UK (Clegg), Sweden (Bjorkland), Finland (Wallin) and Belgium (Van Quickenborne).
- 4 European Commissioners - Economics & Monetary Affairs (Olli Rehn), Trade (De Gucht), Home Affairs (Malmstrom), and Education and Cultural Affairs (Vassilliou).
- ALDE Group Leader in the European Parliament (Verhofstadt) and others.

Margrethe Vestager (DPM Denmark) would also have signed, but as Denmark have the EU Presidency at the moment, they need to retain public neutrality.

To be clear, and in the unlikely event that parts of the UK media/ Commons interpret this incorrectly, the text includes a call for the new intergovernmental treaty which is currently under discussion at present (UK as an observer to the talks among the other EU-26) to be:

- Focused on fiscal/ budgetary matters - if the scope of the treaty is widened to allow for eurozone plus discussions and initiatives on the single market, as Sarkozy would like, the UK would have no voice in those discussions. This would be a disaster for the UK and remove a large liberal voice from the table.

- For all competitiveness and growth measures to be done through the normal EU-27 route (or 'community method') where every member state's voice is heard.

- And for the new Treaty to be rolled into the EU Treaties in due course - this would avoid legal confusion and ensure that the EU institutions (especially the Commission and ECJ) are able to enforce it/ police it so that it is fully in line with existing EU law and practice.

To be clear, this does NOT mean that we would abandon the need for safeguards before it could be rolled in to the EU Treaties. NOR does it mean that the actual substance of the Treaty itself (e.g. Legally binding annual debt limits) would apply to the UK. In other words, Clegg is NOT
calling for the UK to sign up to the Treaty.

As with other Eurozone rules, and many other aspects of the EU (e.g. Schengen), rolling this into the EU Treaties would mean that the substance applied to some but not all EU member states. By embedding it in the EU Treaties, there would be no risk of it undermining the Union, the single market and the rights and obligations of all member states (both Euro-ins and -outs).

Finally, this meeting was an excellent opportunity to use an existing pan-European political network available to the government to pursue coalition objectives. In fact both the Prime Minister and Chancellor used the meeting as an opportunity to hold bilateral meetings on the margins with several of the guests. This shows that any suggestion of duplicity by
the Lib Dems is entirely false. Moreover, the 30th January EU summit is focused on growth and competitiveness, the UK's no. 1 EU priority. Further work is now planned off the back of the London meeting to ensure a Liberal European agenda, a British agenda, influences the discussions to the fullest possible extent.

Joint Statement: European Liberal Democrat Leaders Meeting

Leading Government Ministers, Party Leaders and European Commissioners
from Liberal Democratic parties across Europe, meeting in London at the
invitation of UK Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, and under
the aegis of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform party (ELDR), today
made the following declaration.

Jobs, Growth & Reform

Europe is at a dangerous crossroads. Without decisive and concrete action,
we risk recession, rising unemployment and falling living standards. There
is a real risk of Europe turning inwards, with a return to the
protectionist policies of the past. Our ability to prevent this now
depends on our willingness to act together in the collective interest.

Resolving the economic crisis is the urgent priority. This clearly
requires greater fiscal coordination, discipline and solidarity. But our
problems cannot be solved through austerity alone. Unless we can tackle
another underlying cause of the crisis - Europe’s lack of global
competitiveness - this crisis will be the first of many.

We are firmly of the view that a vital part of a lasting solution is an
urgent and far-reaching reform agenda to create the right skills mix and
to help unlock jobs and economic growth across the EU. Europe has done
this before: the Single Market Programme of the 80s and 90s was a truly
remarkable liberal achievement, tearing down trade barriers within Europe
and unlocking unprecedented levels of new jobs, growth and prosperity. We
need to build on the progress made to date, in particular through Mario
Monti’s 2010 report on the Single Market and the Commission’s Single
Market Act, to recapture this level of ambition.

We therefore call on all European leaders and institutions to use the
January 2012 European Council meeting to kick start and drive forward an
Urgent and Ambitious Plan for Jobs and Growth in Europe, including:

• A programme for the completion of the Single Market by 2015. This
should include a growth test to identify the priority measures, a
fast-track mechanism to drive them through the legislative process, and a
commitment to prioritise their implementation and enforcement. Completing
the single market in the services and digital sectors alone could add
hundreds of billions of Euros to the European economy and generate
thousands of Euros in extra annual income for the average European
household;

• A programme running until 2015 for the reform of existing EU
legislation, including social and employment legislation, to aid domestic
structural reforms across Europe and help deliver flexible labour markets,
boost European competitiveness and increase employment;

• An ambitious external trade package that taps into the dynamism of
other economies around the world, with the aim of completing all existing
FTAs by the end of the year - contributing an extra €60bn to the European
economy – and including the launch of new trade negotiations with Japan
and the US as soon as possible. Such an ambitious external trade agenda
could generate millions of European jobs. Meanwhile, we must insist on the
respect of existing market access in third countries and must not allow
protectionism to gather strength.

• A commitment from member states and EU institutions to focus their
limited financial and human resources on prioritising competitiveness,
innovation, research and infrastructure;

• A commitment from member states and EU institutions for growth,
competitiveness and external trade to be priority agenda items on all
European Council summits until the end of this Commission;

• A reinforced smart regulation programme that incorporates the
Commission’s welcome new approach to minimising the regulatory burden on
SMEs, and includes reviews of the acquis for further opportunities to
exempt or lighten the regulatory burden on micro-businesses where
justified, a new administrative burden-reduction target and regular
progress reports to the Council and Parliament.

Unity, the EU-27 & Eurozone Fiscal Integration

Finding credible solutions to the Eurozone crisis remains our number one
priority and is in the interests of all member states. We call upon the
European institutions to come to conclusions on the Commission’s enhanced
six pack proposals and to adopt positions on the green paper on stability
bonds. We recognise that the draft Reinforced Economic Union (REU) Treaty
is a step towards greater fiscal coordination, discipline and solidarity
among Eurozone countries. However, we strongly believe that this must not
come at the cost of division or disunity in the EU.

We therefore call for the new Treaty to focus on fiscal matters among
Eurozone members, believing that enhanced competitiveness is most
effectively pursued by all EU-27 member states; for the Treaty to
safeguard the community method and fully respect the policies and
competencies of the EU as set out in the EU Treaties; and for the REU
Treaty to be rolled into the EU Treaties in due course.

Andrus Ansip PM, Leader of the Reform Party
Prime Minister of Estonia
Jan Björklund, Leader of the Folkpartiet
Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden

Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Praxoula Antoniadou Kyriacou, Leader of the United Democrats
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus
Karel De Gucht
Commissioner for Trade
Belgium

Cecilia Malmström
Commissioner for Home Affairs
Sweden

Artur Mas i Gavarró, Leader of Convergència Democràtica
President of the Government of Catalonia

Mark Rutte, Leader of the VVD
Prime Minister of the Netherlands

Olli Rehn
European Commission Vice President
Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs
Finland

Vincent Van Quickenborne, Open VLD
Deputy Prime Minister & Pensions Minister
Belgium

Androulla Vassiliou
Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth
Cyprus

Guy Verhofstadt MEP, Leader of the ALDE Group,
European Parliament
Belgium

Stefan Wallin, Leader of the Swedish People’s Party
Minister of Defence
Finland

Sir Graham Watson MEP, ELDR Party President
Liberal Democrats
UK

A benefits system that works

2012-01-07T12:11:00.002Z

Mike German, former leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, is co-chair of the Parliamentary Party Committee on Work and Pensions. He writes in Liberal Democrat Voice of a big first step being taken towards Liberal Democrats' long term ambition of merging tax and benefits. The Welfare Reform Bill is now in the final stages of its passage through the House of Lords and Mike explains his significance:

Our benefit system is the most complex and cumbersome system in the developed world. It requires an annual book to be published which explains the system and is the size of the Bible! This Bill is radically changing the culture surrounding welfare in this country, creating a simple, fair system that encourages individual responsibility whilst targeting resources on those who need them most. This single working age benefit parallels our own policies on welfare and will improve the current complex system.

The principles of Universal Credit are fundamentally Liberal Democrat and will continue to protect those who need protecting and support those who can move into work, encouraging a fair and responsible system. We have much to be proud of in always making work pay and meeting the challenge of lifting more people out of poverty than the last government did in its whole term.

There are tough decisions to make elsewhere in the benefit system but we should never lose sight of the need to reduce poverty in our country.

Assembly Member to hold advice surgery in Neath

2012-01-06T11:52:00.001Z

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, will be holding his first advice surgeries of the new year next week.

On Friday 13 January 2012 he will be in Neath Central Library from 5pm to 6pm.

No appointment is necessary.

Neath Port Talbot council house sell-off vote confirmed flawed

2012-01-05T12:17:00.002Z

The South Wales Evening Post today reports that Neath Port Talbot Council "has lost an appeal over a ruling that it had incorrectly withheld information from a group opposed to the transfer of its housing stock".

Cllr Keith Davies, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, commented: "We said at the time that the decision to deny the information to the Defend Council Housing group was immoral and undemocratic, and now we know that it was unlawful as well."

Twelve cuts Labour don't talk about

2012-01-05T10:53:00.002Z

Ian Swales MP writes: 12 CUTS Labour don’t talk about

The Labour party think they can win the economic argument by just wailing about cuts on behalf of their public sector union paymasters. They give no credible alternatives for what they would do about Britain’s economic crisis.

What they also like to ignore is some of the changes that are being made towards making this country fairer. Here is a list of cuts WE should be talking about because they are mostly happening through Lib Dem action and pressure.

The CUT from £250,000 to £50,000 in the maximum annual pension contribution to receive tax relief – clawing back a staggering £4,000,000,000 (£4bn) that Labour was giving to the rich.
The CUT in bank profits with a new tax raising £2.5 bn a year.
The CUT in regional disparity through the £2.4 bn regional growth fund.
The CUT in tax paid by ordinary people with the basic tax threshold raised to £8,105 by next April from £6,475 in 2010/11 – and no more 10p tax rate fiascos.
The CUT in the 40% tax threshold meaning the better off pay more.
The CUT in money that Labour allowed people to make in Capital Gains with the tax rate rising from 18% to 28%.
The CUT in pensioner poverty with a triple lock guarantee of rises and the biggest ever cash rise coming in April 2012. No more 75p-per-week insults.
The CUT in the gap between rich and poor through the VAT rise. Remember those who spend most pay most and the basic costs of living don’t have standard rate VAT.
The CUT in benefit fraud with new resources being brought in.
The CUT in tax evasion by the rich with £900m of extra resource.
The CUT in education disadvantage for poorer children through the Pupil Premium.
The CUT in the amount per month students will have to pay back after graduation and a higher threshold before they start paying anything.
Remember, Labour didn’t deliver these changes in their 13 years of government and voted AGAINST them in this government. Lib Dems in parliament are pushing a fairness agenda and showing that Labour can never again be trusted with the economy. If you have Labour Councils you can probably see the same incompetence and wrong choices in your area too. It’s time to go out and tell the public.

By the way, just for good measure we also CUT Tory plans to increase the Inheritance
Tax threshold from £350,000 to £1,000,000!

Hat-tip to Liberal Democrat Voice. The regional growth fund does not apply to Wales, but the revenue settlement for Wales in the 2010 budget was higher than what Labour would have given us if they had been returned to power in Westminster. Thanks to Kirsty Williams and her team in Cardiff, Wales now has its own version of the pupil premium.

Concern about the safety of children’s services in Neath Port Talbot

2011-12-19T16:18:00.000Z

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has called on the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas to closely monitor children’s services in Neath Port Talbot following the publication of a highly critical inspection report.

Although the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales said that there had been improvements in the Council’s children and young people’s service, they identified a number of factors which they said ‘impact on the authority's ability to provide a safe, high quality responsive service.’

These factors include the loss of experienced practitioners, a continuing high turnover of staff, the reliance on agency staff, high case loads for social workers, an increase in the volume and complexity of referrals, and inconsistent case recording. The inspectorate concluded: ‘Taken together these factors pose a significant risk in respect of ensuring the welfare and safety of children in the authority.’

Mr Black said: “I am very concerned about this report and the picture it paints of the way that Neath Port Talbot Children’s Services operates. I have dealt with a constituent recently, whose experience of working with Neath Port Talbot’s Childrens’ Services raised many questions about how that section operates, its processes and the way that they manage risk. In fact I was so concerned that I met with the Deputy Minister to ask her to intervene. I know too that there have been a number of serious case reviews that also ask serious questions of the department.

“I will now be seeking assurances that there will be much closer monitoring of the weaknesses identified by this report and that a further inspection is held within the next 12 months so as to confirm improvements are continuing to be made. The Welsh Government must not rule out a direct intervention if things do not improve.”

Lull in new house building will hit first time buyers hard says Welsh Liberal Democrat

2011-12-15T13:55:00.001Z

A drop in the number of new homes being started in Wales will keep prices at unaffordable levels and add to the problems of first time buyers, the Welsh Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson, Peter Black has said.

During April to June 2011, 1,205 new dwellings were started, down by 31 per cent on the same quarter in 2010 and down by 7 per cent on the number started during April to June 2009.

The low level of starts over recent years has resulted in a significant decrease in completions. Numbers remained low for the first half of 2011-12, with the July to September 2011 quarter seeing the lowest number of completions ever recorded during a quarter (quarterly data was first recorded in January to March 1974).

“Although there has been a very slight drop in house prices in Wales, this disappointing fall in both starts and completions will keep prices at unaffordable levels for many families, as demand continues to outstrip supply. It will add to the problems faced by first time buyers in getting onto the housing ladder,” said Mr. Black.

“The housing situation in Wales is desperate. The Welsh government has identified that there needs to be 14,200 new homes built each year of which 5,100 are affordable. Neither figure is being met. The number of new affordable homes in particular continues to drag along at about half what is needed.

“There must be urgent action to help first time buyers through this crisis in particular, with the introduction of a deposit guarantee scheme in Wales, along the lines of that introduced in England.

“We also need to urgently get on with the job of providing more affordable homes by actively using alternative funding methods such as bonds and building new homes at differing rent levels, so as to reflect the ability of potential tenants to pay. That would generate income streams that can then be used to increase the number of houses and flats that housing associations can build.”

Statement by Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg

2011-12-13T14:14:00.000Z

Support for Europe has always been a cornerstone of what our party stands for. Recent days have been tough for pro-Europeans in our country, but I am clear that it is in Britain’s national interest to remain at the heart of Europe.

As I have made clear since Friday, I am bitterly disappointed by the outcome of last weeks summit, which ended with the UK in a minority of one. There is now a real danger that over time the UK will be isolated and marginalised within the EU and as a consequence, our influence in the world will shrink. That is not good for jobs and growth; and will do nothing for struggling families across the country.

There is no doubt that we were in a difficult position because of the refusal to compromise from some member states and the eurosceptics in the Conservative Party. It was clear that some combination of guarantees on the operation of the single market, including in financial services, was necessary if we were going to ensure the safe passage of the package through Parliament. I regret the negotiations failed to arrive at a compromise, as I had hoped.

It is important that we now look to the future. That's why I, as a Liberal Democrat in this Coalition Government will do everything I can to make sure that this setback does not become a permanent divide. I am determined that we redouble our leadership on things like the single market, the environment, foreign policy, and defence - all the things that we need to do at a European level.

All my political life I have believed that Britain is stronger, better, greater when we lead and when we stand tall in Europe. Now, more than ever, we need a strong Liberal Democrat voice inside government making this case.

Statement about a child

2011-12-05T17:39:00.003Z

Aberavon and Neath Liberal Democrats make the following response to the recent press release by a far right political organisation:

It was established at a court hearing in Cardiff that an unauthorised act of removal of a minor took place in the United States, and that Councillor Keith Davies was unreasonably denied access to relevant files by officers of Neath Port Talbot county borough. Liberal Democrat members of the council made it clear that we dissociated ourselves from the council's actions then and subsequently. In view of the injunction which we understand still holds in relation to events in the United Kingdom, it would be irresponsible to go further. However, people should not be seduced into voting for a party, whose ethos is anything but democratic, which is flouting court orders and which is taking advantage of a hard case to its own ends.

Councillor Keith Davies and fellow Liberal Democrat council members remain ready to assist Linda Lewis at any time should she call on us to do so. Aberavon & Neath Liberal Democrats are committed to improvements in children's services in Neath Port Talbot.

UK LibDem becomes ELDR leader

2011-12-01T12:44:00.003Z

Congratulations to Sir Graham Watson, MEP for South-West England & Gibraltar, on being elected to the presidency of the European Liberal Democrat And Reform Party in the European Parliament.

Assembly Member calls for energy companies to ‘come clean’ over cheque costs

2011-11-29T10:11:00.000Z

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called for the energy companies to come clean over the premium that they charge to customers who pay their bills by cheque.

Mr. Black was reacting to a survey produced by Which? Which showed that on average customers who pay their dual-fuel bills by cheque are being charged almost £100 a year more than those who pay by direct debit.

Mr Black, who is the Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Social Justice said:
“While nobody disputes that it must cost more for the energy companies to process a cheque payment rather than one that is made by direct debit, there is real doubt that it costs an average of £100 a year for each and every customer who does so. These companies need to come clean over cheque processing costs.

“Many customers already suspect the energy companies of ripping them off by pushing up prices as quickly as possible when wholesale prices rise, but dragging their feet when wholesale prices fall. This latest research will simply confirm the suspicions of many people that the big power companies are abusing their dominance of the market.

“Other research has made it clear that older people, particularly those over 70, tend to use direct debits less than other sections of the population. This self-same group are one of those identified as suffering the most from fuel poverty. People on low incomes also want the control of using cheques rather than having a direct debit on their account. “The Big Six energy companies need to show us that they are not profiteering at the expense of those who pay by cheque.”

To be read in conjunction with Ed Balls' calls for Plan B

2011-11-28T23:40:00.002Z

Thanks to Split Horizons.

Budget deal helps disadvantaged children & economic activity

2011-11-26T11:41:00.003Z

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, writes: "we came to an agreement with the Welsh government to start the funding for a Pupil Deprivation Grant – the Welsh equivalent of the Pupil Premium, one of the key Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto pledges. We have also managed to convince the government to introduce an economic stimulus package worth £38.9 million.

"Like the Pupil Premium in England, we are assigning funding using the Free School Meals indicator – because it targets pupils directly and because of the strong link between Free School Meals and low attainment. This means that from April 2012, every child on free schools meals will attract an extra £450 of funding – no matter where they live, or what school they go to. This is a total Pupil Premium spending of £32 million, of which £20 million is brand new money for the education budget.

"Just two weeks ago the Welsh government lost a vote on its spending plans for the next year. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have consistently made clear, as I said in my speech at the Federal Party Conference in Birmingham, that we would only support a budget if there was substantial changes that offer more support for children from poorer backgrounds. I am proud to announce that we have achieved that today.

"On the 6th of December there will be a vote on the final budget. If the government’s budget was not to pass, an emergency provision would kick in whereby it would be cut by 5%. The consequences for Wales would have been dire. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have proven that we are a responsible party that is willing to make the big decisions in the interests of Wales.

"We may have a small group in the National Assembly, but our influence in these budget negotiations will have a big impact on children’s lives. Thanks to the Welsh Liberal Democrats, we are making huge steps in starting to break the link, school by school, community by community, between poverty and achievement that has dogged our education system for so long.

"The £38.9 million economic stimulus package we have also agreed is absolutely vital if we are to take action to tackle joblessness using initiatives to build valuable skills.

"The package comprises:

· Young Recruits Programme

· Skills Growth Wales

· Capital Investment in Schools

· Cardiff Housing Project

· Community Energy Saving Programme

· Social Housing

· Enterprise Zones

But let me be clear, this is purely an agreement about the budget for next year. With Labour lacking the 'comfortable majority' they predicted before the election, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have had the opportunity to influence the direction of our country. I am proud we have today done this in such a positive way."

Tackling youth unemployment in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend

2011-11-25T13:37:00.001Z

Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg has announced a £1 billion pound Youth Contract to tackle youth unemployment, which aims to ensure that all jobless young people are earning or learning again before long-term damage is done.

In Swansea, 1,905 18-24 year olds are currently in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance and would stand to benefit from the Youth Contract. The figure for Neath Port Talbot is 1,305 whilst in Bridgend 1,265 18-24 year olds receive JSA and could potentially benefit from this initiative.

Starting next April, the Youth Contract will provide at least 410,000 new work places for 18 to 24 year olds into work over the next three years. This includes 160,000 wage subsidies and 250,000 new work experience placements.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black welcomed the new programme:

“In these difficult times Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing and making sure we help those who need it most.

“If young people are out of work, the consequences of that will be felt for decades afterwards. We need to ensure that the young people of today do not have a false start.

“The Youth Contract will help those who need it most through advice, support, training and by giving people in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend the experience necessary to be successful in the work place.

“While we’re clearing up the economic mess that Labour left behind, the Coalition Government is ensuring that our children do not bear the consequences of Labour’s mistakes.

“As a Liberal Democrat, I am proud that the Coalition Government is doing the right thing to prevent another lost generation.”

Commenting further, Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said:

“Youth unemployment is an economic waste and a slow-burn social disaster.

“We can’t lose the skills and talent of our young people – right when we need them most. We can’t afford to leave our young men and women on the scrap heap. We need the next generation to help us build a new economy.

“The aim of the Youth Contract is to get every unemployed young person working or learning again before long-term damage is done.

“This is a £1bn package and what’s different about it is that it gets young people into proper, lasting jobs in the private sector.”

Jenny Willott slates Labour over WCA, welcomes coalition improvements

2011-11-24T20:41:00.008Z

http://www.libdemvoice.org/jenny-willott-mp-writes-harrington-better-assessments-better-outcomes-25981.html

2011-11-24T20:41:00.006Z

2011-11-24T20:41:00.005Z

2011-11-24T20:41:00.004Z

2011-11-24T20:41:00.003Z

2011-11-24T20:41:00.002Z

2011-11-24T20:41:00.001Z

2011-11-24T20:41:00.000Z

Liberal Democrats still restraining Tories

2011-11-21T09:10:00.004Z

Cllr Frank Little writes: Contrary to Peter Rees's ludicrous assertion* that LibDems were "propping up" a Tory government, there is yet further evidence that Liberal Democrats within the coalition act as a restraint on the Thatcherite urges of some Conservatives. From http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/39967/the_lib_dem_brakes_are_still_on.html:

"It's clear that the Lib Dem brakes on the Tories are as effective today as they were back in the distant days of May 2010.

"In just three hours, we've had three different examples today of the way the Libs are constraining Tory ambitions:

"1. 50p tax rate.

"Many Tories are hoping that George Osborne's review of the 50p tax rate will lead to its abolition sooner rather than later. But Danny Alexander, who may know a little about how the Treasury's review is coming along, told SkyNews:

'It's very very important indeed that we continue to ensure that the wealthiest in society pay a fair contribution. That's what the 50p rate is doing. We'll see what the numbers show; I expect it is making money for the Government.'

"Yes, you read that right 'making money for the Government'. Conservatives were cheered in September when the Telegraph splashed on claimes that the 50p rate was actually costing the Treasury half a billion pounds, rather than raising any money.

"FullFact.org checked this claim and found the jury was out on whether the IFS had indeed found that the tax was not making the Exchequer any dough.

"Accountancy Age posted an excellent analysis of the 50p rate and concluded that given all the uncertainties the only clear thing was that the decision would ultimately be a political rather than an economic one.

"2. Strike laws.

"Francis Maude said on Marr this morning that if unions continued to strike then the case for increasing the threshold on ballots 'will become more pressing'.

"Yet within an hour, Danny was making clear the Libs were much less keen. He confirmed the issue was under review but said that changing the law was 'not the main response to these strikes'.

"Vince Cable has made plain that he does not want to embark on a union-bashing round of sub-Tebbit strike laws. He would prefer a new duty to keep services running rather than any threshold rise for ballots.

"3. Beecroft plans.

"Cable appears to have trounced Steve Hilton and some others in Number 10 who wanted the 'fire at will' plans proposed by Beecroft.

"Lord Heseltine, who don't forget has the PM's ear on many matters, was scathing on the Politics Sbow today about the idea that making it easier to fire people would help the economy.

"Hezza said that no business worth its salt would be making investment decisions on the basis of whether it could fire more people right now. He also said that in pure political terms the dangers of the Coalition being seen to attack workers in the downturn was not sensible:

'You don't want to make life rougher and tougher for large numbers of people you want to vote for you.'

"There, in a nutshell, is the Lib Dem/Cameroon credo that guides this Coalition and puts a brake on more radical Tory policies.

"No wonder many Conservative backbenchers are frustrated."

*The Deputy Leader of Labour-controlled Neath Port Talbot made the accusation in the budget discussion at the last council meeting, in a closing speech which allowed no opportunity for rebuttal.

Welsh LibDems increase pressure on government over solar electricity

2011-11-19T08:13:00.002Z

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, is calling on the Westminster Government to reconsider its recent announcement of a reduction in Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs): the price that is paid to people who generate their own electricity and sell the surplus back to the National Grid.

Under the current FITs scheme, those who fit solar panels to existing properties can sell any surplus power back to the Grid for 43.3p/KWh. The Government is proposing to reduce this rate to 21p/KWh for installations registered and fitted after 12th December, 2011.

William Powell, National Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said:

“I fear that this proposed change could undermine the Government’s commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and the promotion of renewable energy. It could act as a major disincentive for families and those who run community facilities to fit solar panels, and seriously jeopardises the UK’s ability to reach its renewable energy targets.”

“I recognise that the FITs scheme has been a victim of its own success, with nearly three times as many applications received than anticipated, making the initial rates unsustainable in the medium to long term. However, I believe that by making this premature announcement, while the consultation on FITs reform is still underway, the UK Government is risking our long term renewable energy requirements for short term savings.”

“This proposal may threaten not only domestic green energy generation, but also the very green jobs agenda that we all want to promote. I have today written to Chris Huhne, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to urge him to reconsider these proposals and continue with the consultation process in order to achieve a fairer alternative.”

On the wider UK front, the Local Government Association and the LGA Liberal Democrat Group are lobbying the Government over the proposed reduction in the Feed in Tariff rate for solar power on 12th December. While they appreciate the hard work done by Lib Dems in government over renewable energy, such as allowing local authorities to sell energy to the national grid (previous Conservative and Labour governments banned councils from doing this); they are calling on the government to protect community run schemes - including those run or planned by councils - by extending the cut-off date for these schemes to the end of the financial year. We accept that the tariff had to be cut but are concerned at the short notice given for the reduction.

Vale John Moth

2011-11-11T11:17:00.003Z

Much-loved member John Moth died in hospital on November 8th 2011. We asked Sheila Waye, a fellow carer for children, to write a short appreciation.

John Moth, aged 77 years, was a very well-known local figure in Neath and played an active role in his Church, The Mission Hall. John will be remembered for the many altruistic endeavours in his life, not the least of which were his 15 years in a foster parent capacity. In political circles he was a helpful, staunch and active member of the Welsh Liberal Democrat Party always giving of his time willingly. Perhaps the most fitting remembrance for John, particularly at this time of the year is that John was an ex-army man. His military career, was noted by the fact that he served in Korea, serving his country and his fellow soldiers in the Catering Corps. John Moth had an immense impact on all those who met him, touching every life in his own inimitable way.

UK Government urged to reconsider its Feed-in-Tariff proposals for alternative energy

2011-11-09T18:53:00.001Z

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has added his voice to calls for the Westminster Government to reconsider its recent announcement of a reduction in Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs): the price that is paid to people who generate their own electricity and sell the surplus back to the National Grid.

Under the current Feed-in-Tariffs scheme, those who fit solar panels to existing properties can sell any surplus power back to the Grid for 43.3p/KWh. The Government is proposing to reduce this rate to 21p/KWh for installations registered and fitted after 12th December, 2011.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrat Group in the Assembly are concerned that this proposed change will undermine the Government's commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and the promotion of renewable energy," said Mr. Black. "It could act as a major disincentive for families and those who run community facilities to fit solar panels, and seriously jeopardises the UK's ability to reach its renewable energy targets."

"I am also concerned at the impact of these changes on local jobs. One local electrical company who contacted me expressed serious concerns about the speed with which this change is being implemented. He said that the backlash from customers has been massive already; with many cancelling, and requesting refund of their deposits. At the same time, his company are attempting to secure two to three times the proposed levels of stock, to allow them to get through as many customers as possible within the time allocated. He did not know if the company would survive the week."

"There is no doubt that the FITs scheme has been a victim of its own success, with nearly three times as many applications received than anticipated, making the initial rates unsustainable in the medium to long term. However, I believe that by making this premature announcement, while the consultation on FITs reform is still underway, the UK Government is risking our long term renewable energy requirements for short term savings. The Government needs to rethink and I very much welcome the fact that the Welsh Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, William Powell has written to Chris Huhne, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to urge him to reconsider."

Liz Lynne to retire

2011-11-07T01:38:00.002Z

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat MEP since 1999, and a former MP for Rochdale, has announced her retirement from active politics next January. Her place in Brussels will be taken by Phil Bennion.

Welsh government kills high-value jobs prospects for bay area

2011-10-23T08:04:00.002+01:00

South Wales West Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has written to the Welsh Government’s Business and Enterprise Minister, Edwina Hart seeking an explanation after a potential investment that would have brought 100 high value jobs to the Swansea area was lost following her decision to end a research-based funding scheme without proper consultation.

Mr. Black has raised with the Minister reports in this morning’s press that the her decision to end European funding to University of Wales’ POWIS scholarships without putting any alternative scheme in place has led directly to a proposal to establish an IT development centre, which could have created up to 100 jobs in the Swansea area, being withdrawn.

The Western Mail reports that New Zealand-based software development company Pingar had been planning to set up a Centre for Knowledge Engineering here, but that it is now likely to choose the east of England instead.

John Beer, who was responsible for the project and who is himself a POWIS scholar is quoted as saying that there was a “lack of transparency” over the end of the POWIS scheme and that companies that had benefited from the project had learnt about its demise through the media rather than from government.

In his letter, Mr. Black asks the Minister to outline what contact her officials have had with this company and what communication the Welsh Government had with companies benefiting from POWIS about the decision to end funding. He asks how the Minister reassured these companies about funding for future research?

“From an outsider’s viewpoint it certainly seems to be the case that Mr. Beer’s suggestion that the future of collaboration has been wiped out in one fell swoop is correct,” said Mr. Black. “I am very concerned that the Swansea area is potentially losing one hundred much-needed high value jobs and I want to know what contact Welsh Government officials have had with this company to persuade them to change their mind.

“I am not questioning the assertion by Ministers that there were problems with the way that European funding was being used, they are in a better position to judge that than me. However, the way that the decision was put into effect has impacted upon a number of businesses and the future prosperity of Wales. The Minister needs to say when an alternative scheme will be up-and-running to address this imbalance.”

Peter Black encourages Neath and Port Talbot residents to take back control of their energy bills

2011-10-20T17:32:00.003+01:00

South Wales West Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of his constituents in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend that the average home in Wales can save up to £280 a year by being energy efficient.

He says that with the cost of energy bills on the rise there’s no better time than now for householders to take back control of their bills. He urged householders to take advantage of Energy Saving Week between 24^th and 28^th October 2011 to learn more about the options available to them.

As people in Wales face ever increasing energy bills, Mr. Black was informed that everyday items such as TVs and computers are responsible for a staggering 34 per cent of the UK’s carbon production.

He was shown a number of nifty gadgets which can make day-to-day life easier whilst helping to reduce bills. One such item was the Eco Kettle. If everybody in the UK switched to an Energy Saving Trust Recommended kettle, then £270million in electricity could be saved annually.

He was told that other household swaps like switching traditional bulbs for new, energy efficient ones can also make a huge difference. Newer style Energy Saving Trust Recommended bulbs last ten times longer than their predecessor and cost just £2 each, meaning a substantial saving of between £45 and £70 over its lifetime.

Duncan McCombie, Energy Saving Trust director of operations for Wales, said: “It’s been a pleasure to team up with Peter Black for Energy Saving Week.

“Just a few small changes to day-to-day life can have a profound impact on the amount of energy being consumed and the carbon being produced as a nation. Energy saving works best when it doesn’t mean huge lifestyle changes. We are all suffering from increasingly hectic lifestyles, and this Energy Saving Week we’re really pushing the concept that changes needn’t be difficult in order to take control of your bills.”

Mr. Black added: “We are all responsible for contributing to reducing Wales’ carbon footprint. The cash savings that could go hand in hand with cutting energy use in households, means in these economic times, that there’s never been a more prudent time to take up these tips.

“I’d urge people across South Wales West to use Energy Saving Week as a kick-start to following a few simple changes in a bid to reduce carbon emissions in their area.”

This Energy Saving Week the Energy Saving Trust is offering householders in Wales the chance to win five top energy saving gadgets and an in-home visit from the ‘Energy Doctor’ who will help identify ways in which the winning home could save money on energy bills. To enter the competition please visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/wales

For more top tips on energy saving go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Welsh Government is failing to deal with housing crisis says Assembly Member

2011-10-18T04:09:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Peter Black has called on the Welsh Government to do more to tackle the housing crisis facing Wales.

Speaking at the his party’s autumn conference in Wrexham, Mr. Black said too many people are struggling to get a home of their own.

“The House Builders Federation estimates that there are 100,000 Welsh families on housing waiting lists, with first-time buyers needing an average deposit of around £30,000.

They say that only 918 new homes were registered in the first three months of the year, compared to 1,120 last year, despite rises in housebuilding across the UK.

The Welsh Government's own research says that we need 14,200 new homes in Wales each year of which 5,100 need to be affordable.

We have already fallen behind that target by 9,500 homes

The Welsh Government’s response has been pitiful.

They have cut the budget for new social housing and so far all we have had is a deafening silence on how they are going to tackle this crisis.

At least the One Wales Government had a target as to how many additional affordable homes they planned to build, even if they did fail to meet it.

Under Labour we are back to vague promises and hopeless inaction.

If we do not build new homes then we will not be able to bring prices down.

If we do not provide more homes for people to rent then they will remain in desperate need of a roof over their head that they can call their own.

If we do not put in additional help for first time buyers then they will never be able to afford a mortgage to secure their first home.

I recognise that public finances are tight but if we think outside of the box then we can start to tackle this problem.

There are 26,000 empty private sector homes in Wales that can be brought back into use but we are still waiting for the government to give us the leadership and the tools to deliver.

Proposals to raise £100 million of private finance for new affordable homes have been on the cards for years with little or no progress and now it seems that the Labour government has given up on this plan as well.”

Ticking time bombs

2011-10-17T11:32:00.003+01:00

Pensions minister Steve Webb flanked by Neath's Mathew McCarthy and Jenny Willott MP

Frank Little writes: One of the benefits of belonging to a party which is in power, albeit only in coalition, is that one gets to question ministers of the crown. On Saturday in Wrexham, Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat MP and pensions minister in the DWP, joined two officers of care organisations on a panel to be quizzed by Liberal Democrat conference representatives. Being a LibDem gathering, there were rather fewer soft questions than one would expect at a Labour or Conservative rally, but Steve dealt efficiently with everything that was thrown at him, as one would expect from an expert in the field of pensions.

He described one of the difficulties he inherited from Labour as a "ticking time-bomb". Labour before the election increased additions to Cold Weather and Winter Fuel Payments. However, these were only temporary measures and were scheduled to end within a year under Labour's deficit-cutting plans. He was at least able to set a higher CWP. (There is more in a speech Steve made to London LibDems)

On public sector pensions, he said that there was no alternative to renegotiating the funding of local authority schemes because of promises which had been made causing the schemes to be unsustainable on the present funding formula. The only alternative to a new settlement was massive taxation. He described the previous settlement under Gordon Brown's administration as "a cop-out". He emphasised that, even under the coalition government's proposals, local authority workers would still have pension provision better than most of the private sector.

Welsh Lib Dems call for moratorium on fracking

2011-10-17T08:32:00.002+01:00

At the autumn conference of the Welsh Liberal Democrats held in Wrexham last weekend, a topical motion proposed by Eluned Parrott AM on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan party called for a pause in preparations for shale gas exploitation in Wales. She pointed out that the technical briefing on mineral extraction made available to planning authorities was out-of-date, since it did not cover the technique of hydraulic fracturing. Speakers drew attention to the probable contamination of ground water and seismic events which have been attributed to hydraulic fracturing in parts of the United States. Cllr Frank Little stressed that action was overdue, since applications for exploratory drilling were pending, or had been granted, in many parts of South Wales.

The full text of the motion is as follows:

Conference notes that Hydraulic fracturing, also known as
‘fracking,’ is the process of drilling down and creating tiny
explosions to shatter and crack hard shale rocks to release the
gas inside. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock
at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of
the well. The process is carried out vertically or, more commonly,
by drilling horizontally to the rock layer. The process can create
new pathways to release gas or can be used to extend existing
channels.
Conference further notes that:
1. There is an ongoing application to allow fracking at Llandow
in the Vale of Glamorgan, part of which was heard by the
Planning Committee of Vale of Glamorgan Council on 26th
September 2011
2. Fracking has been suspended in Blackpool pending further
investigation
3. France is maintaining a ban on fracking until there is proof
that shale gas exploration won’t harm the environment
4. The Welsh Government has failed to clearly outline a policy
on hydraulic fracturing.
Conference calls for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing until
such time as it can be proven that it represents a low risk to the
environment and wider community.

Liberals part of Danish Social Democrat-led government

2011-10-07T12:02:00.002+01:00

Liberal International reports that Det Radikale Ventre, a Danish founding member of LI, has received 6 Ministerial portfolios in the new three-party coalition government. They garnered 9.5% of the votes (up from 5.1%) and 17 seats in the parliament. The party leader Margrethe Vestager will become Minister of Economy and Home Affairs. “We must show that we will definitely enter, participate and contribute to European cooperation”, said Mrs. Vestager, asserting that DRV will ensure that Danish politics embodies a clearly liberal and internationalist direction. Among the six ministers is the country's first foreign born cabinet minister, Manu Sareen (originally from India), who has been given the Ecclesiastical and Equality Ministry. The new Danish government announced its agenda in which they will ease strict immigration rules and scrap a “points-based system” which is used to determine immigration eligibility. LI's other Danish member Venstre, led by former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, also managed to increase their seat count to 47, receiving the largest vote share in the country (over 26%).

Peter Black slates Welsh budget as "too timid"

2011-10-05T08:59:00.001+01:00

Responding to the publication of the draft Welsh Government budget Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Finance Minister, and AM for South Wales West, said:

“Welsh Liberal Democrats have two overriding objectives for this draft budget: to improve education funding in Wales and to re-boot the Welsh economy and provide training and hope for those without work. Sadly, this ‘bare minimum’ budget is far too timid to make the difference that Wales needs.

“With just one in five children on free school meals, the poorest children, achieving 5 good GCSE’s A*-C, this budget should have taken seriously the need to close the £604 per pupil schools funding gap for children, directing extra help to the to the children that need extra help the most first. The modest increase in schools funding is welcome but does not begin to provide the kind of resources Welsh children need and deserve.

“Labour continues to promote the same failed public sector programs aimed at tackling unemployment. As long as the budget ignores the need to encourage private sector jobs by incentivising employers that take on new trainees, it will fail to provide the boost the Welsh economy needs.

“As we analyse and debate the draft budget over the coming weeks, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to press the case for education and skills to receive the priority they deserve.”

Case for electrification west of Cardiff undermined by Welsh Government’s failure to engage claims AM

2011-09-29T09:45:00.001+01:00

The case for extending the electrification of the main line to Swansea has been undermined by the failure of the Welsh Government to fully engage with the business case, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has claimed.

Mr. Black was responding to the contents of a Freedom of Information request to the Department for Transport on how the business case for electrification was put together. The Minister of State in that department reveals that she and her colleagues ‘worked very closely with the Welsh Government to consider how the case for electrification to Swansea could be improved. Unfortunately no further services other than the hourly London train could be identified by the Welsh Government for conversion to electric operation.’

This contradicts the business case being drawn up by Swansea Council, local MPs and other campaigners who are concerned that there is no reference in the Government’s plans to freight trains, whose performance can be significantly enhanced by swapping diesel locomotives for electric. Port Talbot steelworks is one of Britain’s biggest industrial destinations and origins for freight trains, and Network Rail says 15% of the UK’s rail freight passes through Cardiff.

They say that also missing from the document is an acknowledgment of existing and future local passenger services west of Cardiff such as the hourly service between Maesteg and Cardiff, which is due to become half-hourly in the next few years. This could switch from diesel to electric by a simple extension of power supply along the single-track Bridgend-Maesteg branch. There is also a local train every two hours between Cardiff and Swansea, serving smaller stations such as Pyle and Skewen.

Commenting on the Minister’s letter, Mr. Black said that although the Welsh Government argues that it wants to extend electrification to Swansea, its early engagement with UK civil servants had undermined the business case for that work.

“I am concerned that the Welsh Government failed to argue the cause for full electrification convincingly and that they left the Department of Transport with the impression that the Swansea to Cardiff route was just a branch line. They were not batting for Wales.

“I am sure that if they had put the case forward as it is now being argued then we could have got electrification for the full length of the main line as part of the original announcement.”

Assembly Member to hold advice surgery in Neath

2011-09-23T21:08:00.001+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, will be holding an advice surgery in Neath next Friday. On 30th September he will be in Neath Central Library from 5pm to 6pm.

No appointment is necessary.

Kirsty Williams speech to Conference

2011-09-22T10:42:00.003+01:00

"Labour's poor services do poor people down": http://welshlibdems.org.uk/en/article/2011/517411/labour-s-poor-services-do-poor-people-down-kirsty-williams-speech-to-conference

Supervote News

2011-09-22T10:14:00.002+01:00

There will be a Special General Meeting of DAGGER (Liberal Democrat Action Group for Gaining Electoral Reform) in Cheltenham on 12th November. The location is St Matthews Church Hall, Clarence Street, which is near the bus station, and proceedings start at 13:00.

The Group, which has Baroness Nicholson and Liz Lynne MEP among its vice-presidents, exists to promote long-standing party policy of election to the UK parliament by Single Transferable Vote in Multi-Member Constituencies (STV), the system used in Irish parliaments, north and south, and in Scottish local elections.

DAGGER says of Gender Balance in Parliament: "To get women into Parliament in the first place requires getting their names onto the Ballot Paper. The best way to do this is by adopting a voting system which offers a list of candidates who may be voted for in order of preference.

"This can be achieved most effectively by STV. The Scandinavian countries have a similar system, hence their higher number of women MPs, Ministers etc., including two women Prime Ministers in recent years. And can it be a coincidence that the Scandinavian countries, which then employ the talents of all their people, are centuries ahead of the male-run countries?"

Nick Clegg's speech

2011-09-22T10:09:00.001+01:00

The party leader's speech to Federal Conference 2011, with commentary by Mark Pack, is here.

Latest from Birmingham

2011-09-21T09:50:00.000+01:00

Mark Pack's report

Monday at Liberal Democrat conference

2011-09-20T13:37:00.001+01:00

See Mark Pack's round-up here.

Vince Cable at LibDem autumn conference

2011-09-19T13:28:00.001+01:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14967061

Video review of Liberal Democrat autumn conference

2011-09-19T11:58:00.001+01:00

LibDems call for evidence-based drugs policy

2011-09-19T11:53:00.002+01:00

In Birmingham yesterday, Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference carried a motion calling for an independent panel to review current drug laws.

Commenting, Co-Chair of the Home Affairs Parliamentary Party Committee, Tom Brake MP said:

“Drugs can have a devastating impact on individuals and families and can fuel organised crime. Evidence shows that our current drug policy is costly, ineffective and it is the poor and marginalised who suffer most.

“Today, Liberal Democrats reaffirmed our support for an evidenced based drugs policy, calling for an independent panel to review current drug laws.

“We want to ensure the Government has a clear focus on prevention and reducing harm by investing in education, treatment and rehabilitation, and moving away from criminalising individuals and vulnerable drug users.

“We need proper regulation and investment if we are to get to the root of the battle with drugs. Liberal Democrats are the only party prepared to debate these issues.”

Nick Clegg: Immoral to drop 50p tax

2011-09-19T11:50:00.001+01:00

See Nick Clegg's interview on The Politics Show here.

Phone hacking: Hugh Grant speaks out in Birmingham

2011-09-18T11:46:00.000+01:00

The BBC video is here.

Kirsty Williams: “Welsh Government action on Enterprise Zones is now urgent”

2011-08-17T21:32:00.001+01:00

Commenting on the UK Government’s announcement of further wave of Enterprise Zones in England, Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:

“We have known since March that the UK government would be promoting Enterprise Zones in England.

“We already know that Zones will be established in Bristol and Liverpool. Today’s announcement by the UK Government that they will create further Zones, including one in Hereford, makes the need for Welsh Government action all the more urgent to ensure that Wales can compete in attracting investment and creating jobs, particularly near the border.

“The Welsh Government must urgently develop a strategy to help businesses set up in deprived areas by creating preferential business rates and incentives for training and capital investment or risk Wales falling further behind England.”

Assembly Member to hold advice surgeries in Maesteg and Port Talbot

2011-08-14T09:55:00.000+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, will be holding advice surgeries next week.

He will be in Maesteg Library on Friday 19th August from 2pm to 3pm and then be available at Port Talbot Central Library from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

No appointment is necessary.

Wales must reform business rates to help businesses and aid regeneration

2011-07-21T12:56:00.002+01:00

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black and the party’s Parliamentary Spokesperson in Swansea West, Peter May have jointly called on the Welsh Government to follow the example of Ministers in Westminster and give Councils the right to set local business rates and keep the revenue they generate.

Currently, local councils collect business rates (technically, the National Non Domestic Rate) on behalf of central government. The Welsh Government then redistributes money to councils in the form of the Revenue Support Grant, according to a population-based formula.

"Under the current local government funding system, government dishes out grant allocations to councils each year based on an incomprehensible formula that is far too complex and lacking in transparency," said Peter May. "Councils are left at the whim of the formula-setter in Whitehall and Cardiff Bay, and there is no incentive to promote business growth either. All you get are the extra HGVs, but none of the rates income."

He went on: "Under the new system being proposed by Liberal Democrat Local Government Minister, Andrew Stunell, councils in England will be able to keep the money raised by business rates in their own area. They will then benefit from any future growth in local businesses by keeping the extra revenue generated through the rates system. In addition, Councils will also have the power to borrow against this future income so as to invest in regenerating run-down areas. This could be a a win-win for Swansea, subject only to some safeguards for rural councils and others with lower business rate bases.”

Peter Black added: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the business rate system is not fit for purpose. We want to see these reforms apply in Wales as well. That will also enable Councils to help small businesses who invest in improving their premises or who are struggling to survive. The Welsh Government cannot ignore this important reform in England. Welsh councils need tools like this to boost their local economy. They should be given them.”

Enquiries by Aberavon & Neath Liberal Democrats suggest that the immediate advantage to Neath Port Talbot is not so clear-cut, bearing in mind the loss of BP, a large ratepayer, and the scaling back of other industries in the borough. However, re-localisation would give more flexibility to Neath Port Talbot finances and transparency for the residents, as well as reducing administrative costs in Cardiff.

Kirsty Williams announces Liberal Democrat portfolios

2011-07-19T10:50:00.003+01:00

"William Powell, with his roots in the rural community, is well placed to represent rural Wales. He is a member of the Farming Union of Wales so he will be able to speak for farmers with confidence in the Chamber. William also serves on the committee of the Lloyd George Society – a true liberal.

"Aled Roberts takes on the education portfolio. During his tenure as leader of Wrexham Council, they boosted the GCSE results of the pupils in the county. Aled has already, on his first day back, called for the Labour Government to introduce a pupil premium in Wales given that that the Welsh equivalent of Ofsted recently said that pupils from poorer backgrounds do not have the same opportunities as their wealthier counterparts.

"Our new Assembly Member for Wales South Central, Eluned Parrott, with her experience working with the higher education sector, will take on the business and enterprise portfolio.

"Peter Black takes on Local Government and Housing and I will be Shadow Minister for health. We will be ready to support the Welsh Government where we agree; however, we will not be afraid to criticise when the Welsh Government gets it wrong."

The disbarred members - a statement by the LibDem leader

2011-07-05T18:04:00.003+01:00

Statement from Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats:

“Tomorrow, Assembly Members will be asked to consider whether it is proper to lift the disqualification of Aled Roberts and John Dixon. The advice of Gerard Elias QC enables them to do so with regard to the facts of each case.

“The Elias report treats each case differently, since the circumstances are very different.

“In the case of Aled Roberts, Gerard Elias has confirmed that ‘at each stage of his selection and nomination process, Aled Roberts followed the guidance provided to him by the Electoral Commission and mirrored on the National Assembly website’. He also confirms that the information provided to him referred him to incorrect guidance. Finally, he says that he finds that ‘Aled Roberts did eveything that he could reasonably been expected to do in ensuring that he was not a disqualified person.’

“Gerard Elias also deals with the fact that the guidance offered to Aled Roberts in the medium of Welsh was incorrect and states that ‘he was entitled to assume that the Welsh version would mirror the English version at all times and in every respect.’

“I would like to welcome the statement by the Electoral Commission who have acknowleged their error and offered an apology.

“It is clear that this is a case of enormous importance to the future of the equality of the Welsh language, to the reputation of the Assembly and to Welsh devolution. I will do everything I can to perasuade colleagues that Aled Roberts should take his rightful place in the Assembly. Based on the contents of the Elias report, it is hard to see how any reasonable person could conclude otherwise.

“In the case of John Dixon, Gerard Elias concludes that “he honestly believed that he was eligible to be a member of the National Assembly”. However, he also concludes that he had a responsibility to check the Order but did not do so. I have already accepted the responsibility that the Welsh Liberal Democrats share in this failiure.

“It has always been my view that the disqualification of both men should be lifted. Whatever the rights and wrongs of either case, to impose a ban on either from taking up their seats represents a punishment out of proportion to any error made.

“However, given that Gerard Elias’ report makes clear that the responsiblity to check the Order rested with John Dixon, I do not believe that there is any likelihood of a majority of Assembly Members being persuaded to disregard the disqualification.

“It is with huge regret therefore that the Welsh Liberal Democrats, with John’s agreement, have decided to withdraw the motion to disregard the disqualification of John Dixon.

“John has already served the public diligently and with distinction on Cardiff Council. I have no doubt that would have been an enormously effective and hard working Assembly Member. He is paying a very high price for his mistake. It is personal tragedy for him and I desperately wish that it were different. But I cannot change the facts any more than I can change the opinions of Assembly Members.

“I hope now that Assembly Members will now be able to focus on the case of Aled Roberts and ensure that justice is done.”

Assembly Member to hold advice surgery in Neath

2011-06-30T21:12:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, will be holding advice surgeries next week.

He will be in Neath Central Library from 5pm to 6pm on Friday, 8th July.

No appointment is necessary.

Local councils to regain non-domestic rates from Treasury

2011-06-29T09:02:00.001+01:00

Another LibDem policy to be carried out: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13952431

EU parliament being brought towards transparency, says LibDem MEP

2011-06-22T16:58:00.002+01:00

Welcoming the European Court of Justice ruling that a report on MEPs' expenses must be published by the European Parliament, Chris Davies commented: "Bit by bit the parliament is being brought kicking and screaming towards transparency." According to The Independent, it was Chris Davies who first leaked the contents of the report compiled by the parliament's chief internal auditor, Robert Galvin, in 2008. He went on:"I was delighted by the European Court's decision. There is still a long way to go but I would hope pressure will now build to identify what was done to pursue those MEPs identified by Galvin as misusing the system."

A sample of the abuses listed:

* A series of bonuses awarded MEPs' assistants between three and 19.5 times their normal salary.

* A payment was made to a crèche, supposedly for secretarial work, whose manager was a local politician from the MEP's party.

* Payments were made to national political parties.

Local Liberal Democrats want assurances on Southern Cross care home

2011-06-08T19:35:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has asked the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services to ensure that the financial difficulties of Southern Cross do not affect the elderly residents at care homes throughout Wales.

Mr. Black tabled an urgent question in the Assembly Plenary today to ask the Minister to reassure residents and staff who face an uncertain future. He wanted more details on any safety net that was in place if the company goes under.

In response the Health Minister said that she has met with local government officials to reinforce her view that there are effective contingency plans and that she has been assured that clear protection arrangements are in place and no one will be left without the care they need

Commenting, Mr. Black said: “Southern Cross supports over 1,772 people in 34 care homes across Wales. The uncertainty of this situation will be a huge stress on the residents and their families. Whatever happens to the company, the interests of residents and staff are paramount.

“The Welsh Government needs to work with local Authorities and health boards to provide assurance for all concerned that if this company fails then residents will maintain continuity of care and minimal disruption.”

In response to today's news that Southern Cross is cutting nearly 7% of its workforce, including nursing staff, Councillor Keith Davies, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Neath Port Talbot council expressed concern about the future of Cwrt Clwydi Gwyn, a Southern Cross care home in New Road, Skewen near his Coedffranc North ward. Keith hoped that the impeccable service which the care home had provided until now would not be jeopardised by the job cuts or the financial woes of Southern Cross. He supported Peter Black's call for assurances.

Peter Black calls for suspension of Maesteg drilling

2011-06-02T20:01:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has said that test drilling for shale gas at the St. John’s Colliery site in Maesteg should not go ahead until more is known about two earthquakes linked to similar activity near Blackpool.

He has expressed his concern following the suspension of a controversial new drilling operation for natural shale gas in Lancashire following a second earthquake in the area that may have been triggered by the process. The earthquake last Friday near Blackpool occurred at the same time that the energy company Cuadrilla Resources was injecting fluids under high pressure deep underground to deliberately blast apart the gas-bearing rock – a process known as "fracking", brought to Britain from the US, where it has been highly contentious.

Earthquake experts from the British Geological Survey said that the 1.5 magnitude quake last week was similar to a 2.3 earthquake in April in the same area and that both may be linked to the experimental fracking for shale gas at Preese Hall on the Fylde coast. Bans on commercial fracking are already in place in France as well as in New York and Pennsylvania states, where people living close to fracking sites have been filmed setting fire to tap water contaminated with methane gas.

Mr. Black said: “In my view this is serious enough to suggest that any operation in the Maesteg area should be suspended indefinitely until more is known about this process and its impact. Any possibility of contaminated water supply or seismic activity as a result of drilling is unacceptable and must be clearly dealt with before this work can begin.”

Welsh Government agrees to publish spending over 25k

2011-05-25T20:42:00.001+01:00

Following pressure from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, the Welsh Government has announced for the first time that they will publish details of all government expenditure over £25,000. In a response to a written question from Kirsty Williams, the Minister for Finance confirmed they now intend to publish payment details over £25k.

For months, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams, has been challenging the First Minister to follow the example of the Scottish Executive and the UK Government and publish all expenditure over £25k. She raised the issue with him in First Minister’s Questions on the 23^rd November 2010 and wrote to him subsequently on 26^th November 2010.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats were the only party to commit to publishing all expenditure over £25k in the Welsh election.

During the election, Kirsty Williams said, “The first step of any government serious about cutting waste would be to publish all items of expenditure over £25k.”

Today, she added:

“I am glad that, following pressure from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, the Welsh Government has finally announced their intention to publish all expenditure over £25k. Putting this information in the public domain will mean that politicians and the public can all play their role in rooting out waste and inefficiency. Frankly, I am amazed that the government took so long to agree to this relatively modest measure.

“The government now needs to announce a timetable and methodology for publishing this information as soon as possible.”

William Powell backs revision of TAN 8

2011-05-24T16:14:00.002+01:00

William Powell, the Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Mid & West Wales, attended the "March to Cardiff" rally on the steps of the Senedd, addressing the rally and speaking to individual protestors.

He said: “Welsh Liberal Democrats are clear that we need to work much harder to reduce our energy consumption and find cleaner and more sustainable ways of generating electricity. But whilst Wales must reduce our over reliance on fossil fuels, this cannot be at the expense of our countryside.

“The hub and transmission power lines that are currently threatening Mid Wales are poorly conceived and the electricity companies need to go back to the drawing board.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are clear that we want to see greater investment in offshore tidal and wind resources, where developments do not affect populations, and promote small scale community renewable energy schemes, rather than large scale projects.

“Unlike the Conservatives who made no commitment whatsoever in their Manifesto on Tan 8, the Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to a revision of TAN 8 to ensure that it does not put so much pressure on rural mid Wales and that community organisations benefit directly from the money generated by new wind developments.

“We have seen jobs lost as a result of the economic downturn, but the green energy industry is expanding. Many skilled young people are finding work in this new hi-tech sector. So we mustn’t reject wind energy entirely but with careful planning and open debate that takes into account the views of all parties and individuals, I strongly believe we can meet the need for more sustainable energy in a way that is sensitive to local communities.”

Government takes action over ‘vulture funds’

2011-05-18T13:54:00.002+01:00

Legislation to make permanent The Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 was passed in the House of Commons last Monday. The legislation will stop creditors, including so-called “Vulture Funds”, from using the UK courts to extract harsh and inequitable payments from poor countries for debts that the companies may in some cases have bought for a fraction of the cost.

The Act could save poor countries an estimated £145m over six years.

The original Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 was passed in April 2010, temporarily restricting the actions of “Vulture Funds” in the UK. This act had a sunset clause meaning that it was due to expire on 7 June. To prevent Vulture Funds returning to the UK, the Government has passed legislation to make the law permanent.

Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said of this:

Today the Government has acted to stop the unjust actions of a few unscrupulous companies having a huge impact upon the futures of some of the poorest countries in the world.
This act will make sure that Vulture Funds will never again be able to exploit the poorest countries in the world within the UK’s courts.

Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee on International Affairs, Martin Horwood said:

It will save poor countries nearly £150m over the coming years by preventing ‘vulture funds’ from using the UK courts to sue poor countries for the full repayment of debts that they have bought cheaply.
Vulture funds are effectively wiping out the benefits which international debt relief was supposed to bring the poorest countries in the world.
The Liberal Democrats have long fought on this issue and that is why I’m delighted that the UK is achieving a world first by making this law permanent. This shows the Coalition has a real commitment to helping the poorest countries with this unfair and crippling debt.
I urge the Government to continue the fight against these vulture funds and ensure that the members of the G8 follow suit at their meeting later this month.

Kirsty Williams responds to announcement of minority Labour government

2011-05-10T15:45:00.000+01:00

Responding to the announcement that Carwyn Jones will seek to form a minority Labour government, Kirsty Williams, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:

“Labour are the largest party and with half the seats in the Assembly, I expected Carwyn Jones to form an administration. I have already spoken to Carwyn and offered my congratulations.

“The stability in government that Carwyn Jones seeks will only be possible if parties work together, put aside their differences and seek to find consensus, and that means give and take from all parties.

“The priority of the Welsh Liberal Democrats now will be to work to advance the policies that we have fought this election on. It is clear that Wales is suffering from a weak economy and serious failings in our schools and NHS. Where Labour proposes serious answers to these problems, they will have our support.

“It is also clear to me that the people of Wales will not be well served without the opposition parties actively holding the government to account and scrutinising its decisions. So we will judge each issue on its merits, afraid neither to support the government nor to oppose it, where we judge that to be in the best interests of the people of Wales.

“As the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru enter a period of introspection, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will be the strong, responsible voice of constructive opposition that Wales needs.”

Labour and Plaid Cymru have turned waste and inefficiency into an art form

2011-05-03T21:47:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have today set out the steps they would take to cut down waste in the Welsh Government. Throughout the election, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have run a waste watchers campaign, exposing a different example of the waste and inefficiency of Labour and Plaid Cymru in government on each day of the campaign.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are the only party to have published a costed manifesto which sets out clear spending priorities. In addition the Welsh Liberal Democrats will take the following action to root out Government waste so that the money we do spend makes a real difference:

· Publish each item of expenditure over £25,000, as in Scotland and Westminster.

· Reduce the number of Council grants to reduce administration costs.

· Reduce bureaucracy for schools and phasing out the many prescriptive ring-fenced grants.

· Scrap the General Teaching Council and invest the money in a Quality Teaching Programme.

· Reduce the burden on colleges by reducing auditing, inspection and data collection.

· Crack down on the 1 billion pounds of waste in the NHS by establishing an Office for Health Spending to monitor rigorously budgets and hold trusts accountable.

· Develop a Welsh ‘locum bank’ to save money on hiring locums from agencies and making it easier for the health service to fill temporary gaps in provision.

· Ensure that hospitals are seen as the last resort. We will prioritise investment in community facilities to ensure that people get better treatment and at a lower cost.

· Scrap the subsidy for the Ieuan Air North-South airlink.

· Streamline inspection of farms by co-ordinating and minimising the number of visits.

Kirsty Williams, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

“When every family, charity and business is making every pound stretch that little bit further, Wales needs a government that does the same. Instead, Labour and Plaid Cymru have turned waste and inefficiency into an art form.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats have consistently exposed real examples of waste in opposition. The UK Government’s NHS McKinsey report cost them £46k but Labour and Plaid in Wales paid £500k for theirs. They’ve wasted £8 million pounds subsidising the Ieuan Air North South Air Link. They ran up £500, 000 of wasted expenditure on International Business Wales credit cards.

“Today, we set out what we would do to cut down on waste. The first step of any government serious about cutting waste would be to publish all items of expenditure over £25k. They do it in Westminster and in Scotland. Only Labour and Plaid in Wales have refused to take even this small step to cutting waste.”

LibDem manifesto successes

2011-05-02T19:27:00.003+01:00

Independent research has shown that three-quarters of the 2010 Liberal Democrat manifesto is being enacted as government policy, Mark Pack reports.

Investment in public transport essential for our economy

2011-05-02T10:02:00.001+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have highlighted their commitment to investing in public transport to help drive the economic recovery.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are outlining plans to:

· Create up to eight Joint Transport Authorities, responsible for all local transport.

· Re-regulate buses to so that all parts of our communities are properly served.

· Improve the accessibility and safety available of rail stations.

· Establish the feasibility of introducing a Wales-wide Oystercard.

· Invest in rail transport by, renegotiating the Arriva Trains Wales contract to improve train frequency and quality, beginning to electrify the Valleys Lines and re-opening closed stations.

· Retain free bus travel for the elderly.

· Scrap the subsidy for the Ieuan Air North-South airlink.

· Work to develop a reciprocal agreement for using Welsh bus passes in England.

· Require new Joint Transport Authorities to plan for Community Transport and implement three-year budgeting for community transport schemes.

Rob Speht, the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Swansea West said:

“The Labour-Plaid government It has wasted £8 million of our money subsidising the 'Ieuan Air' north-south airlink, but has failed to invest sufficiently in sustainable rail and bus transport.

“Only the Welsh Liberal Democrats will scrap this tax payer subsidised pollution and instead prioritise rail and bus travel.

“We will protect free bus travel for pensioners but we also understand that free bus travel only helps if there is a decent bus service. So we will re-regulate the buses to ensure that new transport authorities can plan a proper services across Wales, including in the rural and poorere areas whcih are so let down at the moment.”

Peter Black, the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for South Wales West said:

“Getting public transport right is a critical part of ensuring that Wales grows successfully.

“It’s great news that journey times to Swansea will be shortened by 20 minutes after the announcement of the electrification of the Great Western Mainline. We’ll continue to press for electrification to Swansea because of the other advantages that it brings.”

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will re-negotiate the Arriva Trains contract to ensure that we invest in re-opening new stations and electrifying the Valleys lines and make existing stations more accesible and safe.”

Peter Black slates Labour/Plaid NHS sinecures

2011-04-30T09:51:00.001+01:00

Following the expensive reorganisation of the NHS in 2009, it has been revealed by a Freedom Information Request that top NHS executives who were moved into new jobs following the reorganisation have had their six-figure salaries protected for up to 10 years.

More than 120 former NHS directors and managers have been redeployed elsewhere in the health service and the Welsh Assembly Government following the changes negotiated with trade unions. But they will have their salaries, which are as high as £195,000 a year in some cases, protected for years.

Peter Black, South Wales West Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Candidate said:

“It is quite shocking that as the NHS faces a difficult time with pressures on its budget, the Labour-Plaid government has protected the salaries of senior NHS executives for up to 10 years.

“The main focus of our NHS should be on the dedicated nurses and doctors working on the front line. This shows that the Labour-Plaid government’s priorities are out of synch with the priorities of the people of Wales as they protect the salaries of NHS executives who are paid as much as £195,00 a year.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ proposed Office of Health Spending would act as an ongoing, independent and expert assessor of the effectiveness of NHS expenditure. It will be required to monitor rigorously how each LHB and Trust spends its budget.

“When every family, charity and business is having to make every pound stretch that little bit further, Wales needs a government that does the same. Labour and Plaid Cymru have turned waste, incompetence and inefficiency into an art form.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat action to save high streets and town centres

2011-04-28T19:04:00.000+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats today called for a new approach to regenerating town centres and high streets across Wales.

Visitng Llanidloes with Lord Carlile, the former Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Wyn Williams, the Welsh Liberal Democrats candidate for Montgomeryshire put forward proposals to begin the renewal of high streets and town centres across Wales by:

· Freezing business rates for a year while we reform them completely.

· Giving councils more powers to require an impact assessment of large supermarket developments.

· Cutting red tape for small businesses by introducing a ‘one-in-one-out’ rule whereby no new regulation is brought in without other regulation being cut by a greater amount.

· Improving conditions for businesses in town centres by allowing local authorities to regenerate areas through Tax Increment Financing.

· Streamlining inspection of businesses by co-ordinating and minimising the number of visits. We’ll also target repeat offenders and inspect compliant businesses less, with the aim of co-operative compliance rather than prosecution.

· Re-regulating the buses to improving transport access to town centres.

· Re-opening closed stations such as Bow Street, Carno and Towyn and Kinmel Bay and seek powers over the maintenance of railway stations, so we can require all new stations and major refurbishments to improve accessibility, safety and act as a community hub.

Wyn Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrats candidate for Montgomeryshire said:

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are focusing relentlessly on boosting economic growth across all of Wales.

“A busy and thriving high street is good for the community and good for the local economy but too many of our high streets have either become ghost towns or clone towns – empty and identical.

“Welsh Liberal Democrat plans would give local authorities new powers to drive regeneration across Wales funded out of the business rates that they will receive from our financial plans. Our plans will also ensure that local shops are not killed off by new supermarket developments and offer business rates that don’t strangle small and local businesses.

“After years of campaigning, the Lib Dems in Government have been able to stop any more post offices from closing. But we need independent shops as well. These businesses form the backbone of many Welsh town centres. They are good for our economy and good for our community.

“These are serious and important proposals that will allow local communities the chance to develop high streets and town centres that can compete in the 21st century. If we don’t implement our proposals, many of our beautiful town centres will be eroded even further.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats commit to eradicating child poverty

2011-04-27T18:24:00.001+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have today highlighted the record of the Labour-Plaid government on child poverty and reconfirmed their ambition to eliminate child poverty.

Wales has the highest rate of children living in severe poverty in the UK and the Labour-Plaid government failed to meet their 2010 target of halving child poverty.

To tackle child poverty, Welsh Liberal Democrats will:

· focus on lifting families out of poverty through more effective measures such as boosting the economy with our Jobs and Growth Innovation Programme, improving education for poorer children, improving the health service and tackling poverty that affects families as a whole.

· Extend the duty of care to 21, regardless of whether or not a child stays in education.

· Rationalise the number of bodies that deal with the safeguarding of children – there are currently 154 in Wales.

· Provide more money for schools by targeting additional money at the 80,000 pupils who need it the most so that schools can afford to invest in the things that really matter, such as smaller class sizes or one-on-one teaching.

· Scrap Communities First and passing the money to local authorities so that community regeneration is responsive to local need and more accountable to local people.

· Reform local authority funding so that deprivation is fairly recognised.

Speaking with members of Cardiff Parent Network, John Dixon, Welsh Liberal Democrats candidate for South Wales Central said:

“It is an outrage that in Wales, today, someone’s life chances are decided by where they were born. The Labour-Plaid government has failed to meet their 2010 target of halving child poverty.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to eliminating child poverty. We believe that education is the ladder out of poverty and we need to make sure that the education system gives every child in Wales the chance to get on in life. Everyone in Wales, no matter their background, should get a fair start at life in order to reach their full potential.

Sarah Teather MP, UK Minister for Children and Families said:

“These are difficult times for families and that is why the Liberal Democrats have lifted 50,000 of the lowest paid workers in Wales out of income tax altogether and given a £200 tax cut to a million Welsh people on low and middle incomes.

“In Wales, it is only the Welsh Liberal Democrats who will provide more money for schools by targeting additional money aimed at the most disadvantage children.”

Baglan Technium has lost £2.2m

2011-04-25T15:06:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrat "Waste Watchers" series, which is running alongside the Welsh general election campaign, has revealed that most of the Plaid/Labour government's flagship techniums have run up large losses.

Founded in 2001 as an attempt to develop a series of sites where science and technology businesses could be nurtured, the Technium scheme has madea loss in excess of £5.4 million since, Freedom of Information requests have revealed.

Mike Priestley, Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Aberconwy said:

"Despite a number of individual successes, overall the Technium project has made losses of over £5.4 million. Some individual projects have made huge losses. Port Talbot has lost £2.2 million and so has Technium Cast in Bangor.

“The Technium project has been widely criticised, including by the Government’s own Economic Advisory Council. Welsh Liberal Democrats have argued for a much closer relationship with the universities to help create more organic clusters of expertise and innovation. Instead, the Labour-Plaid government ignored expert advice and have presided over a colossal waste of tax payer’s money.

“When every family, charity and business is making every pound stretch that little bit further, Wales needs a government that does the same. Labour and Plaid Cymru have turned waste, incompetence and inefficiency into an art form.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats Announce Legislative Priorities

2011-04-25T14:25:00.000+01:00

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader, Kirsty Williams has unveiled the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ legislative priorities for the 4th Assembly term.

Following the successful referendum, Wales now has direct law-making powers for the first time. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have identified five key areas in which they would need to legislate in order to implement priority manifesto committments.

These include:

· A Local Economies Bill to help drive the economic recovery and create jobs.

· A Teaching Standards Bill to put in place new streamlined structures for the training and development of teachers.

· A Health Spending Bill to establish an independent waste watchdog to examine the way money in the health service is spent.

· A Public Transport Bill to create Joint Transport Authorities and re-regulate bus services.

· A Community Bill of Rights and Localism Bill to strengthen the powers the ability of local authorities to deliver public services by giving them a power of general competence and introduce fair votes for local elections.

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

“This will be the first National Assembly with direct law making powers. Welsh Liberal Democrats were proud to play our part in the referendum campaign that ensured for the first time in over 600 years that laws that affect only Wales will now be made only in Wales.

“Now we have those powers, politicians must explain to voters how those powers will be used to improve life for people up and down Wales.

“We should not legislate for the sake of it but neither should we be afraid of using the new powers that we have where this is necessary.

“For the first time, Wales now has the powers to re-regulate the buses to improve bus services.

“For the first time, we can now legislate to improve the training and quality of teaching and to create a health spending watchdog to root out waste in our NHS.

“For the first time, we can transfer powers back to local communities.

“Welsh Liberal Democrats will use these powers to ensure that Wales can do better.”

Welsh Lib Dems highlight policies to close schools funding gap

2011-04-21T12:04:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have today highlighted the policies that they believe will be necessary to address and turn around Wales’ underperformance in schooling.

Successive reports from Estyn and PISA have been highly critical of educational standards in Wales and GCSE and A level results in Wales have fallen behind England for the first time.

Under Labour and Plaid Cymru, Wales spends £604 less per pupil on education than in England.

Welsh Liberal Democrats are promoting carefully costed plans to attack the spending gap, providing more money for schools by targeting additional money at pupils who need it the most so that schools can afford to invest in the things that really matter, such as smaller class sizes or one-on-one teaching.

In addition, Welsh Liberal Democrats will invest properly to offer new training and development opportunities to teachers, driving up standards and demanding the best of our teachers so we deliver for our children.

Highlighting the Welsh Liberal Democrat proposals on a visit to Cafe Junior, Cardiff, a child-friendly play cafe, Nigel Howells, Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate in Cardiff Central said:

"Welsh schools were once the envy of the UK. Now, sadly, international comparisons shows that that Wales' results in reading and maths have fallen significantly behind and that Welsh students are falling behind their counterparts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"Labour and Plaid have failed our children who are now paying the price for the gross underfunding of schools over the last decade.

"Education is the key investment we can make for all our children. It is the route out of poverty, the key to ensuring that everyone can reach their full potential. Ultimately, it’s the way to make our economy strong and our country fairer."

"Our schools will only improve when we give teachers the tools and training they need to inspire our children. Pupils in Wales get £604 less spent on their education than in England. Welsh Liberal Democrats will give education the priority it deserves."

Welsh Lib Dems challenge parties to publish manifesto costings

2011-04-21T11:47:00.001+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are the only party to have published a full set of costings as a part of their election manifesto. The costings set out in detail how the Welsh Liberal Democrats would fund key policies, including:

· Creating jobs and improving our economy by offering new companies £2,000 for staff training if they provide jobs to unemployed young people.

· Tackling the spending gap, providing more money for schools by targeting additional money at the 80,000 pupils who need it the most so that schools can afford to invest in the things that really matter, such as smaller class sizes or one-on-one teaching.

· Radically overhauling the energy efficiency of an extra 12,000 homes by doubling the money available for tackling fuel poverty.

In contrast, one week after the publication of the party manifestos, Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives have yet to publish any manifesto costings at all.

Peter Black, the Welsh Liberal Democrat’s finance spokesperson said:

“One week after the publication of the manifestos, Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives have still failed to set out any costings for their manifesto priorities.

“Plaid Cymru are proposing to lavish millions on businesses loans but have no idea where the cash will come from.

“Labour have expensive but totally uncosted promises on policing, jobs, and schools funding.

“The Conservatives, whilst not providing costings, have at least made it clear that they wish to slash funding to schools, housing, local government, rural affairs, economic development, tourism and the environment. They now need to come clean on the true scale of the cuts they are proposing and where they will find the savings.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are the only party to have published fully costs plans alongside our manifesto. Our key priorities of offering new companies £2,000 for staff training if they provide jobs to unemployed young people and of targeting additional money for the pupils who need it the most are fully costed and affordable.

“It is time the other parties came clean on the cost of their promises.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats to increase the supply of affordable housing in Wales

2011-04-20T18:47:00.000+01:00

In their manifesto, the Welsh Liberal Democrats outline policies to

· Bring empty homes back into use with a Wales-wide Empty Homes Programme that will assist councils and housing associations to make use of empty homes.

· Bring more private money into housing by working with housing associations to restart the Welsh Housing Investment Trust.

· Protect any new social rented housing from being sold under the Right-to-Buy scheme for a minimum of 25 years in areas where this is needed.

· Strengthen the ability of councils to enforce their minimum level of affordable housing in new developments.

Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat South Wales West Assembly Candidate and housing spokesperson said:

“The Labour-Plaid government has failed on community regeneration and housing and their attempt to build affordable homes has been condemned by report after report because they have not delivered improvements. They promised to increase the supply of affordable housing by 6,500 but they missed that target.

“I speak to many people who want to get on the property ladder but find it very difficult. We will only tackle the affordable housing crisis by increasing the number of homes in Wales, so that prices come down and more homes are available.”

Neath Port Talbot council unconcerned about inflation-busting rent rise

2011-04-20T17:20:00.004+01:00

A Liberal Democrat motion deprecating the 6% (8.4% when water rates are taken into account) rise in rents for NPT Homes Ltd was voted down by Neath Port Talbot council at its meeting today. Contrasting the rise to be paid by our former tenants with the lower increases in Swansea and Carmarthenshire, and the Welsh Assembly Government's guideline of 4.95% for 2011/2012, Councillors Frank Little and Keith Davies attempted to raise the question of promises of lower increases made by supporters of stock transfer during the campaign, but were ruled out of order by the chair.

Labour members voted solidly against the motion, with the support of most of the Nationalist group . Four councillors who are on the board of NPT Homes Ltd had declared an interest and left the chamber. There was support from some independents and a minority of Plaid Cymru councillors.

The motion:

That this council expresses its concern at the high level of rent increase imposed on our former tenants by NPT Homes.

Signed:

F.H.Little

Seconded:

D.K.Davies

“Miliband ashamed of Labour’s Welsh record” says Black

2011-04-20T17:19:00.001+01:00

Commenting on the visit to Wales of Ed Miliband, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrats candidate for South Wales West, said:

"Ed Miliband could have come to Wales and defended his party’s record in Government in Wales. He could have explained how they spent so much money on economic development but left Wales the poorest part of the UK. He could have proclaimed Labour’s ‘achievement’ of ensuring that Welsh patients wait longer than those in England. He could have explained how Labour spends £600 less on each child’s education or how proud he is that Welsh schools have slipped behind England and Scotland in results. Ed Milband can only be ashamed of Labour’s Welsh record.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats: The strong voice for farmers in the Assembly

2011-04-19T18:48:00.002+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats launched their manifesto for farmers on the day that Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Wyn Williams, Montgomeryshire Candidate and farmer, visited Sennybridge livestock market.

In their Manifesto for Farming, the Welsh Liberal Democrats promise to:

· provide sustainable finances for farmers

· reduce the burden on farmers

· help create a diverse and rural economy

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

“Welsh agriculture has faced challenges and often turbulent times over the last decade, with outbreaks of devastating diseases, low farm gate prices, increasing input costs and never-ending forms to fill in. The farming industry is difficult as it is and farmers don’t want to be chained to their desk doing admin work for a Labour-Plaid government.

“I know that farmers want to be out on the field, producing food to meet a growing demand and develop ideas to protect and enhance our environment. Plaid Cymru in government have seriously let down farmers right across Wales with the bungled Glastir agri-environmental scheme.

“Welsh farmers and farming are an integral part of the Welsh economy and we want to ensure that they continue to grow which will benefit the rural economy and the Welsh economy as a whole."

Wyn Williams, Montgomeryshire Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Candidate and farmer said:

“I know how difficult it has been for farmers over the past decade and the Welsh Liberal Democrats want to make it better for farmers to do what they love and encourage young entrants to farming.

“The Tories won’t help farmers and rural Wales as they have published their plans to cut the rural affairs budget by an extra 18%. This will have a dangerously detrimental effect on farming and the industry and we want to protect it as much as we can.”

Kirsty Williams: Tourism can help drive economic recovery

2011-04-18T18:21:00.000+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats today confirmed their commitment to taking advantage of Wales’ natural beauty and tourism industry to boost the economy as they visited a successful rafting activity centre in Cardiff.

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Nigel Howells, Cardiff Central Candidate and Sian Anne Cliff, Cardiff South and Penarth Candidate, saw for themselves the part activity centres like Cardiff International White Water play in bringing tourists to Wales.

In their manifesto the Welsh Liberal Democrats promise to:

· Prioritise the marketing of Wales as a tourist destination to new overseas markets

· Make St. David’s Day a public bank holiday and a global celebration of Wales, raising international awareness and encouraging people to visit and buy Welsh products.

· Develop a major events calendar that is specifically tasked with bringing events to all of Wales. We will bid for the Tour de France and a major American Football game.

· Promote off-season activities and assisting in creating a wider range of winter activities across Wales in order to reduce seasonal variations in tourism.

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

“Wales’ natural beauty is one of our great resources and we have great vibrant cities. Tourism brings in over £6 billion to Wales every year and supports 172, 000 jobs. It is a central part of the Welsh economy but with the right support, it could grow further and help fuel a sustainable economic recovery.

“Tourism is a major driver of the Welsh economy and should be treated as such. That is why the Welsh Liberal Democrats would put tourism back into the economy portfolio.”

Another intrusive Labour law queried by EU

2011-04-18T10:01:00.002+01:00

The European Commission is due to publish today an evaluation of the EU data retention directive, which was passed five years ago and obliges telecoms companies and ISPs to keep the details (although not the content) of all e-mails, phone calls, faxes and text messages sent and received on their networks.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman Sarah Ludford, a long-time data protection campaigner, said:

"I opposed this directive from the very start, when the then Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke managed to push it through, ostensibly in the name of counter-terrorism. It gave the green light for mass surveillance and possible profiling of the general public.

"The constitutional courts of Germany, the Czech Republic and Romania have all ruled that the national laws implementing the directive were unconstitutional as they breached privacy protection.

"The law needs to be tightened up so that searches can only be conducted for the purpose of combating terrorism and other really serious criminality, and the current maximum data storage period of 2 years must be significantly reduced."

Plaid-Labour badger cull bungle cost £57,000

2011-04-17T13:11:00.001+01:00

It was revealed last August that the legal cost of the Labour-Plaid Government's fight to challenges to its planned badger cull pilot was more than £57,000, with nearly £20,000 paid towards the Badger Trust’s costs.

The Labour-Plaid government’s badger cull order was overturned by the Court of Appeal as they said it was wrong to make an order for the whole of Wales when the Government consulted on the basis of an Intensive Action Pilot Area (IAPA) which only supported a cull on evidence within the IAPA.

The assembly government had to pay £57,000 for losing the legal challenges to its planned badger cull.

Matt Smith, Welsh Liberal Democrat Cardiff North Candidate said:
“The badger cull is a very sensitive issue for many people across Wales but what we are talking about here shows the incompetence and ineffectiveness of the Labour-Plaid government. They’ve spent millions on external legal advice but their order was overturned by the Court of Appeal. Not only is that embarrassing but it is also costly.

“The way the Rural Affairs Minister handled the whole order was shambolic, just like the Glastir agri-environemnt scheme she has bungled.

“The people of Wales can’t afford to be picking up the bill of the Labour-Plaid government’s incompetence and ineffectiveness like this.”

Wyn Williams: Conservative manifesto will take Wales backwards

2011-04-15T18:40:00.002+01:00

Commenting on the launch of the Conservative manifesto launch, Wyn Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Montgomeryshire said:

"The Conservatives have released a manifesto that will take Wales backwards.

"They claim to be concerned about the weak economy but want to slash budgets for economic development and training at the very time when these areas need to be prioritised.

“They also claim to be concerned about school funding, after Labour and Plaid Cymru have allowed the funding gap to spiral to over £600 per pupil per year. However, their budget plans would increase it to an eye-watering £881."

Welsh Lib Dems want Community Bill of Rights for local people

2011-04-14T22:57:00.000+01:00

On a visit to a historic pub in Cardiff, the Welsh Liberal Democrats today announced that in government they will be pursuing a new law for community empowerment.

The Community Bill of Rights would contain a series of proposals for community councils and local authorities such as:

· Creating a new planning use for second homes and HMOs, so communities can decide how many they want in their area

· Giving protection to buildings that are of importance for social and cultural reasons, such as the Vulcan pub in Cardiff

· Creating a new listing system for village greens and other community spaces.

· Developing plans, similar to the Liberal Democrats in the UK Government, to restrict “garden-grabbing,” by designating gardens as greenfield sites in planning law so they cannot be built over so easily

· Developing a “Community Right to Buy” which would give community councils the automatic right to bid to take over services that local authorities are closing, such as leisure centres or libraries

· Making it easier for Community Councils to establish housing or small energy development, providing local services and providing an income for the Council

· Re-assert the role of community councils as leaders of communities with a power of general competence and refresh local democracy

Joining Nigel Howells on the visit was Jenny Randerson, former Cardiff Central Assembly Member, who has played a prominent role in Save the Vulcan campaign.

Nigel Howells, Welsh Liberal Democrat Cardiff Central Assembly Candidate said:

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are proposing a Community Bill of Rights to ensure that every community in Wales has the power to decide how it should look in the future. We want to devolve power to local communities whereas the Labour-Plaid government want to make decisions over their future in a cosy Ministerial office in Cardiff.

“We want to give local councils the power to protect historic buildings with a social or community significance, such as historic pubs like the Vulcan Inn in Cardiff. They are best placed to put into action what local people want.

“Each Community Bill of Rights policy is worthwhile on its own, but delivered together it would constitute greater power handed over to local people and communities across Wales.

“The overwhelming ‘Yes’ vote in last month’s devolution referendum proved that the people of Wales want more say in how their communities are run and the Welsh Liberal Democrats can deliver that.”

Manifesto now on-line

2011-04-13T13:42:00.001+01:00

http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/en/document/wales-can-do-better-manifesto-2011.pdf

- and there is less than 24 hours left to register if you need a postal vote and are not already registered:

http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/how_do_i_vote/voting_by_post.aspx

Increased financial autonomy can help boost the Welsh economy - Danny Alexander MP

2011-04-13T00:23:00.001+01:00

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, yesterday welcomed the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander MP, to Wales as they unveiled the Welsh Liberal Democrats policies that can ensure Wales’ “Closed for business” sign is taken down.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have pledged to focus relentlessly on boosting economic growth, creating jobs and tackling low skills and making sure that Wales is a good place to do business.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats manifesto, to be launched tomorrow, will include measures to:

· Create jobs and improve our economy by offering businesses £2,000 for staff training if they provide jobs to unemployed young people.

· Create a Jobs and Growth Innovation Programme to increase the number of patents, establish business mentoring schemes and upgrade old manufacturing sites for new jobs.

· Freeze business rates for a year.

· Cut red tape for businesses by introducing a ‘one-in-one-out’ rule whereby no new regulations are brought in without other regulations being cut.

· Streamline inspection of businesses by co-ordinating and minimising the number of visits. We’ll also target repeat offenders and inspect compliant businesses less, with the aim of co-operative compliance rather than prosecution.

· Allow councils to fund regeneration projects, paid for from future business rate income through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:
“Wales needs a government that understands business and the importance that the private sector plays in boosting jobs and growth. Sometimes, the Labour-Plaid government gives every impression of not even liking business.

“They are guilty of piling layers of additional complexity on Welsh firms that businesses investing the other side of the Severn Bridge will not have to navigate. That ‘Closed for Business’ sign needs to come down. Business needs to know that those who invest in Wales and create jobs will be helped, not hindered.

“Cities in England and Scotland now have the ability to invest in their area, funded through future business rate receipts. It is essential that the Welsh government takes measures to ensure that Welsh towns are not left behind. These are powers that Wales currently has. We need a government that uses these powers.”

Danny Alexander MP said:

“Kirsty Williams and the Welsh Liberal Democrats are the only party who are showing that they have the vision and determination to really get the Welsh economy moving.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats proposal to establish Economic Development Zones in deprived areas with preferential business rates and training incentives mirrors the UK government’s announcement of enterprise zones and will help boost the Welsh economy and improve skills.

“After the control freakery of the Labour years, we now have a government in Westminster that is actively looking to devolve more powers where possible. We have already committed to work with the new Welsh government to develop a Calman-style process.

“This will aim to develop the financial autonomy of the Welsh government to give Wales more opportunity to create the right environment for encouraging growth, for example by varying stamp duty.”

How Liberal Democrats would boost the Welsh economy

2011-04-12T15:00:00.000+01:00

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, took the opportunity of a visit to a food production business in Newport to highlight Welsh Liberal Democrat commitment to boost the Welsh economy. Accompanied at Clarks facility by Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Veronica German, South Wales East Assembly Candidate, Kirsty said that the Welsh Liberal Democrats would:

· Offer 5000 training grants (worth £2000 each) a year to new businesses that set up in Wales and take on young unemployed people.

· Create a Jobs and Growth Innovation Programme to increase the number of patents, establishing business mentoring schemes and upgrading old manufacturing sites for new jobs.

· Cut red tape for businesses by introducing a ‘one-in-one-out’ rule whereby no new regulation is brought in without other regulation being cut by a greater amount.

· Streamline inspection of businesses by co-ordinating and minimising the number of visits. We would target repeat offenders but inspect compliant businesses less, with the aim of co-operative compliance rather than prosecution.

· Allow councils to fund regeneration projects, paid for from future business rate income through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

· Freeze business rates for a year.

Manifesto launch by the Party of wiles

2011-04-12T11:58:00.002+01:00

Responding to the launch of the Plaid Cymru manifesto, Elizabeth Evans, the Welsh Liberal Democrat's Assembly candidate in Ceredigion said:

“Plaid Cymru says the current Government is 'Plaid driven' but their manifesto ignores their failure in government over the last four years.

“They say they want to create jobs but when Ieuan Wyn Jones took charge four years ago, Wales’ unemployment was below the the UK average, now it is higher than the UK average.

“They talk about making sure children read, write and count to the expected standard but under the ‘Plaid driven’ government we have seen the worst relative decline in standards in education for decades.

“They say that want to raise private money to invest in buildings but they have spent the last four years trumpeting their refusal to build hospitals that way.

“They say they want to tackle climate change but their own minister has spent £8 million pounds of tax payers’ money subsidising air flights instead of investing in public transport.

“They say they want to tackle affordable housing but they failed to increase the supply of affordable housing by 6,500 as promised.

“Plaid say they stand up for rural communities but every farmer knows that it is a Plaid minister that has presided over the unmitigated disaster of Glastir, the agri-environmental scheme.

“Plaid didn’t even deliver on the Welsh language, promising a Welsh language newspaper that never materialised and failing to ensure official status for the Welsh language.

“Plaid may not like it but they share responsibility with Labourfor the failure to deliver for the people of Wales. Wales doesn’t need any more ‘Plaid-driven’ government.”

Welsh Lib Dems put education centre stage - locally and nationally

2011-04-10T08:59:00.001+01:00

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have put education at the heart of the Welsh election campaign. While Labour and Plaid Cymru have presided over a rising funding gap, and the Conservatives are committed to cutting education funding, only the Welsh Liberal Democrats have costed plans to put more money into schools, targeted at the pupils who need it most.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are firmly established as a driving force of educational excellence in local government. In councils up and down Wales, we we deliver services for half the population of Wales.

Welsh Liberal Democrats in Swansea put £1.2 million more into education than the Labour-Plaid Education Minister asked them to, increasing spending in schools in cash terms at a time of severe budget cuts. They have also created a £400,000 literacy fund to improve literacy across the city and county. By Estyn’s rating of schools, Swansea has a better position than most adjoining councils.

Welsh Lib Dems launch the Assembly election campaign

2011-04-09T08:32:00.002+01:00

This is a piece contributed by Ed Townsend, candidate for Newport East, to Liberal Democrat Voice on Thursday.

On Tuesday I welcomed Kirsty Williams to Newport East as we launched the Welsh Liberal Democrats campaign for the Assembly elections.

It is clear that this election is the most important one that Wales has seen since devolution. After the devolution referendum, this election is about the kind of government that Wales needs.

At least that it is what is should be about. It is clear that Labour and Plaid will run a mile before having to defend their record in government in Wales. The truth is that Labour have had their paws all over the Assembly Government for a full 12 years – and they have been a huge disappointment.

But Labour will not be able to run away from their record in Newport. In the key areas of health, education and the economy, Labour simply hasn’t delivered.

They have left us with a weak economy, underfunded schools, and an NHS that costs more but delivers less. And they have turned waste and incompetence into an art form.

In contrast, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have positive policies that will help close the schools funding gap, boost our economy and root out waste and inefficiency in the health service.

No more excuses. The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that Wales can do better.

That is why we will use this election campaign to set out positive policies to

Create jobs and improve our economy by offering companies £2,000 for staff training if they provide jobs to unemployed young people.
Tackle the spending gap, providing more money for schools by targeting additional money at the 80,000 pupils who need it the most so that schools can afford to invest in the things that really matter, such as smaller classes or one-on-one teaching.
Reduce waiting times by cutting waste. We will improve healthcare by switching ineffective spending in the NHS to the front line.

We’ll see how the campaign develops, but I am proud of the start that the Welsh Lib Dems have made in addressing the issues that matter most to people in Wales.

Root out NHS waste to provide a better service for patients - Kirsty Williams

2011-04-07T17:37:00.005+01:00

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, today visited a community pharmacy to highlight the Welsh Liberal Democrat commitment to reducing waste in the NHS to improve health provision for the people of Wales.

(Last year, it was revealed that £50 million worth of medicine was being wasted in the Welsh NHS every year. Over 250 tons of out of date, surplus and redundant drugs are returned each year to pharmacies and GP surgeries.)

The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader also reaffirmed her party’s commitment to free prescriptions in Wales on the visit to the community pharmacy in Swansea with South Wales West Candidate, Peter Black and Swansea East Candidate, Sam Samuels.

Kirsty said: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to free prescriptions in Wales, unlike the Tories who’d rather pump money into a bloated NHS bureaucracy and administration and make people pay for their prescriptions.

“Wales’ NHS has been expensively reorganised by the Labour-Plaid government, but they have failed to tackle the waste of resources. Although we spend more per head on the NHS than England, we put up with worse results – longer waiting times, slower ambulance response times and lower standards of cancer treatment.

“Waste in the NHS needs to be targeted so that money is aimed at treating patients. The NHS cannot go on like this and that’s why I support Community Pharmacy Wales and their campaign to save money for the NHS.”

Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat South Wales West Candidate said:

“Free prescriptions benefit people on low and modest incomes and patents who have chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure. The cost of prescriptions can be a deterrent to many people which would be detrimental to their health and that’s why we are committed to free prescriptions in Wales.”

A spokesperson for Community Pharmacy Wales said:

"As the medicines experts in the primary care health team, pharmacists are aware that many people do not get the best value out of their medicines. By consulting their pharmacists on how best to use their medicines, a lot of money can be saved to be spent on effective and accessible healthcare in the 700 community pharmacies in high streets and villages across Wales."

Labour ready to talk about anything but their record

2011-04-07T17:30:00.001+01:00

Commenting on the launch of the Labour election campaign, Nigel Howells , the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Cardiff Central, said:

“After the referendum vote in favour of law making powers, it is essential that this election campaign focuses on Wales and the priorities for a future Welsh government.

“Labour are desperate to avoid talking about their record in Wales. Together with Plaid they have left us with a weak economy, underfunded schools, and an NHS that costs more but delivers less. It is a truly dismal record of failure in the most important areas for the people of Wales.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that Wales can do better and will focus relentlessly on three priorities to create the boost our economy, improve our health service and provide the first class education that Welsh children deserve.”