UK facing worst slowdown since aftermath of financial crisis

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised the UK Government following today's new GDP figures showing the UK experienced the lowest 12-month growth for 7 years in the last quarter.

Today’s official figures showed the economy in November was only 0.6% larger than a year before.

This is the weakest growth since June 2012 and means output in November shrank by 0.3%, this is the greatest fall since April.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds commented:

“Today’s GDP figures make for grim reading for the Welsh economy. Despite numerous claims our economy is thriving, these numbers paint a totally different picture.

"Our economy is shrinking as the reality of Brexit bites. Boris Johnson made a lot of promises to the people of Wales during the general election and he must now show he plans to deliver on these promises by delivering the investment Wales deserves.

“He can start by using his first budget to ensure the Welsh Government gets the resources it needs to properly fund our public services. Alongside providing funding for a truly transformational Mid Wales Growth Deal and for the Swansea Tidal Lagoon.”

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

“The UK’s economy is suffering from the worst slowdown since the aftermath of the financial crisis, yet Boris Johnson has no plan to turn this around.

“Businesses looking for certainty about the Conservatives' economic policies won’t find any with Boris Johnson who seems to make it up as he goes along.

“Johnson’s insistence on a hard Brexit and his willingness to keep a no-deal Brexit is a major cause of this shockingly poor economic performance.

“Liberal Democrats will challenge Johnson and the Conservatives on behalf of workers and business across the UK who know they are being let down badly.”

Ed Davey writes: I want to rebuild our party and take on the Tories

we wrap up the Liberal Democrat leadership election, I wanted to thank the thousands of people who have taken part in hustings, sent in questions to the campaigns and engaged in this contest. It’s absolutely right that there is a robust process that properly tests our next leader, and makes sure that whoever wins on Thursday has been put through their paces by the party. Whatever happens later this week, I know that Liberal Democrats will come together and turn our hand to doing what we do best, getting out campaigning and standing up for communities up and down the country. If you haven’t returned your ballot yet then there is still time to vote for me so that we can rebuild our party on solid foundations, and campaign for a fairer, greener and more caring society. That’s my vision for the future of our party, and I know I’ve got the experience we need to deliver it. With your support, I want to rebuild our party and take on the Tories, and put ...

Jane Dodds - Aberpergwm Coal Mine Expansion Must be Stopped

he Welsh Liberal Democrats have reiterated their opposition to the expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine in Neath Port Talbot Council. Addressing a protest in front of the Senedd Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds stated that if we are to stand any hope of tackling climate change before it’s too late, the coal must be left in the ground. The protest in front of the Senedd in Cardiff saw multiple Welsh climate groups attend. The expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine has been at the centre of a row between the UK and Welsh Governments, with the Welsh Government claiming it does not have the legal authority to block the mine’s expansion, while the UK Coal Authority has insisted that the Welsh Government could in fact stop the development. The new license, which was approved by the Coal Authority in January will allow Aberpergwm Mine to extract another forty million tonnes of coal. The development could release up to 1.17 million tonnes of very strong g...

New Zealand Trade Deal Will Damage Rural Communities

Responding to the news that the UK Government has concluded the signing of a trade deal with New Zealand, removing trade barriers between the two countries, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have said the deal will cause damage to rural communities and the Welsh agricultural industry. Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds said: "The UK Government has negotiated a trade agreement that will actively damage Welsh farming communities and will bring next to no tangible benefits to our local economies. "The Conservatives have proven that they are utterly unable to negotiate trade deals that boost the UK economy and unfortunately this agreement is no exception. The economic benefits are a drop in the ocean, and they will do nothing to mitigate the damage from the red tape and paperwork caused by Boris Johnson's shambolic EU trade deal. "Instead of delivering Global Britain, this Government is selling Welsh farmers...

Welsh Liberal blogs

Search This Blog