Welsh Liberal blogs

We're calling on the Chancellor to give self-employed workers the support they need to weather the Covid-19 outbreak Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has urged Chancellor Rushi Sunak to use his announcement today to increase support for the self-employed so no-one is left worse off self-employed than they would be in employment. There have been growing calls from across the political spectrum for a package of support for the self-employed that matches support for those in employment. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: We are seeing unprecedented actions from a Conservative Government, with serious support on offer for firms and workers. However, one group that has fallen through the cracks so far is the self-employed. Give self-employed workers the same support as everyone else The self-employed are an essential part of the Welsh economy and make a vital contribution to their communities. No-one in self-employment should be lef

Today, MPs will debate the Government’s emergency Coronavirus Bill. The Coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented threat, leaving the most vulnerable in our communities at risk. People across the country are rightly worried about their loved ones. This is a national emergency and emergency powers are clearly necessary to keep individuals and communities safe from the virus. Liberal Democrats are working with the Government and other opposition parties in Parliament to pass the emergency legislation we need. But we are also focused on ensuring that these powers do not go any further than absolutely necessary. Many of the powers in this Bill have serious implications for civil liberties and human rights. We are therefore making it clear that these powers must only be used when necessary during this emergency – and not a moment longer. Liberal Democrats will remain vigilant to ensure that any restrictions on civil liberties are only temporary, and that our rights and freedom

Today Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Secretary Kirsty Williams has announced a new package of support for pupils whilst schools are closed. Up to £7 million of funding will be provided to local authorities to urgently provide financial assistance to families of pupils who rely on free school meals but are unable to receive them due to sc “I have already informed local authorities of this additional funding, which will allow them to address immediate needs at a local level – and at pace – so support can get to children and families who need it most.” hool closures. Guidance will also be issued to local authorities to make arrangements to ensure children and young people eligible for free school meals receive access to alternative provision. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds commented: “Today’s announcement will ensure no child goes hungry because their school is closed and will allow our schools to continue to support those children who need

The Vale of Glamorgan MP received thousands over the last year Alun Cairn MP's election campaign last year was bankrolled with the help of a London property developer and a Ukrainian energy tycoon, we can reveal. We have looked through the declarations of interest of Welsh MPs to see who they have received funding from in the run up to December's election last year. Our investigation shows that former Welsh Secretary Mr Cairns, who resigned after questions emerged over his support for an aide who collapsed a rape trial, received significant funds from the property and energy industries. Over last decade, the Vale of Glamorgan MP and former AM has received several large donations as well as tickets to expensive events. In June last year Mr Cairns received a £5,000 donation from Ukrainian Alexander Temerko. Mr Temerko is a Ukrainian-born oil and gas businessman who was previously an arms tycoon. Last year Reuters wrote a profile of him in which th

Responding to the Budget, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: This Budget reveals the UK economy was alarmingly weak even before Coronavirus. The Government is desperate to blame anyone or anything but the reality is that it’s the Conservatives’ Brexit which is costing Britain’s economy dearly. Whilst the Government is taking some action to deal with the Coronavirus, after five years of Tory governments the NHS and our social care sector are chronically under-funded, under-resourced and under-staffed, just at the moment we need them most. Nothing is being done to fill the care sector’s staffing needs here and now. With COP26 around the corner this government has fundamentally failed to show any real global leadership on dealing with the climate emergency. Rather than create a green infrastructure plan for the future, Ministers have hidden their infrastructure strategy because it was not compliant with tackling the climate emergency and getting t

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh Government to match the UK Government’s decision to suspend business rates for small businesses. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced during his budget that the UK Government would suspend for a year business rates in England for small businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds commented: Today’s announcement from the UK Government is a welcome step in the right direction and one which I’m sure small businesses in England will appreciate. However, we must now ensure that small businesses here in Wales are not disadvantaged by this. I urge the Welsh Government to match the proposals announced today by the UK Government and not to simply reject them out of hand simply because of which party enacted them. We cannot let tribalism or narrow party politics get in the way of doing what is right and will better people’s lives. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have lo

Today is International Women's Day - read Ed Davey's message now On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women in every corner of the world. Today, we celebrate the women pushing boundaries, defying stereotypes and shattering glass ceilings. Let us recognise those who have paved the way - from Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, to Dina Asher-Smith, the fastest woman in British history. And of course, my amazing friend, Jo Swinson, who last year became the first female leader in our party’s history. Each of these women and countless others have played an important role in inspiring the next generation by showing young girls everywhere that gender should never place a limit on what a person can achieve. Sadly, the fight for equality is far from over, much work remains to be done. In the UK alone, women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault during their l

T he Welsh Liberal Democrats have revealed there were 81 incidents involving offensive weapons on trains or at rail stations in Wales over the last three years. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP has said the new figures “show the utter failure of Tory Ministers to keep people safe from crimes involving offensive weapons, especially knives.” Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats under freedom of information reveal there were a total of 1840 incidents across the UK in 2019, up from 1268 in 2017. In the last three years there was a total of 5173. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: It’s unacceptable staff and passengers across the Welsh rail network are experiencing violence and attacks while travelling. We need urgent action from the UK Government to get a grip of this issue. Wales is in the grip of an epidemic of serious violence, and we urgently need more practical solutions. Instead, all the Tories can offer

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called upon the UK Government to give the Senedd the power to legislate for Saint David’s Day to become a public holiday in Wales. St David’s Day is currently only a patron saint day and does not have any legal standing. Meanwhile, in Scotland and Ireland St Andrew’s Day and St Patrick’s Day respectively are already public holidays. In the House of Commons on Thursday Wendy Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife and Party Spokesperson for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, raised this disparity and called on the UK Government to give the Welsh Government the power to make St David’s Day a public holiday. Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: St David’s Day is the day we all come together to celebrate the huge tapestry of Welsh culture and remember our collective history. It is only right therefore that St David’s Day, Wales' national day, is made a public holiday just like St Andre