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.”

Significant Gaps Remain in Welsh Government Building Safety Announcement

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed progress announced today in the Welsh Government’s building safety announcement but have warned significant gaps remain. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Cardiff Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Rhys Taylor addressing building saftey campaigners. The announcement given by Environment Minister Julie James MS confirmed that 9 property developers have now signed up to the Welsh Government’s “Developers Pact” agreeing in theory their responsibility to remediate buildings they constructed with safety defects. The announcement follows a lengthy campaign by leaseholders in the five years since the Grenfell Tower Disaster. However, three major developers are still yet to reply. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that due to the Welsh Government’s failure to work with the UK Government on the Building Safety Act, they are left with little to no options to deal with the property de...

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...

Mid Wales Growth Deal funding insulting

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Jane Dodds has called the UK Government’s £55m funding for the Mid Wales Growth Deal insulting.Mid Wales Growth Deal funding insulting Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns used his speech to Conservative Party Conference in Manchester to announce £55m of funding for the Mid Wales Growth Deal over 15 years. The UK Government are contributing £500m to the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and £241m to the Swansea Bay City Deal. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MP commented: Alun Cairns’ announcement shows that, under this Conservative Government, Mid-Wales will never get the funding we truly need. The £55m promised is frankly insulting. Not only is it nowhere near enough, it is a fraction of the funding being provided for the Cardiff and Swansea City Deals. Our rural communities have been let down and forgotten about for far too long. What’s more, they will be some of the harde...

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