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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”