Ending Benefits Freeze not Enough

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed the end of the benefits freeze and an inflation-linked increase in benefits income. However, the party has also warned that on its own ending the freeze will not be enough to reverse the years of harm the Conservatives have caused to those receiving welfare.

Research from Citizens Advice has shown an increase in the number of people unable to cover their living costs since the start of the benefits freeze in 2016.

It also highlighted that close to 4 in 10 households receiving benefits and seeking advice on debt are not expected to have enough money to cover their costs by 2024, this is even if benefits continue to rise with inflation.

Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, commented:

“I’m glad that the Conservatives have finally listened to opposition parties calls to scrap the heartless and damaging freeze on benefits. This policy has brought untold hardship to thousands of families across Wales, hardship these families will not forget.

“However, ending the freeze is just the first step. We re-establish our welfare system so that it truly supports people when they fall on hard times.

“No-one in our country should be trapped in poverty - especially not by the very system that is meant to be there to support them.

“The UK Government now needs to substantially increase the local housing allowance and scrap the five-week waiting period for Universal Credit payments. Only then can we begin to make a real change to the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.”

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

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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...

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