Welsh Liberal blogs

The Liberal Democrats have announced that Wales would receive an extra £29m as a result of Liberal Democrat plans to end rough sleeping within five years in England. The plan’s commitments to scrap the Vagrancy Act, increase Local Housing Allowance payments and extend the “move on” period for refugees from 28 days to 56 would be applicable to Wales. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a plan to end rough sleeping in Wales through devolved policy areas. The latest government figures show that 347 people were sleeping rough across Wales in the 2 weeks between 15th and 28th October 2018. This is an increase of less than 1% (2 people) compared with October 2017. In 2018, 1,320 people were prosecuted under the Vagrancy Act across England and Wales. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds, commented: No one in Wales should have to sleep on the streets. The numbers of rough sleepers on our streets is consistently high, serving as a clear example of our societ...

Today, the Liberal Democrats announce plans to invest an extra £1 billion a year to restore community policing by enabling forces to recruit 20,000 more police officers across England & Wales and fund an immediate 2% pay-rise. In March 2019 there were 5,906 police officers in Wales, a fall of 7.4% from the 2010 figure of 6,375. Gwent police had the greatest fall in police numbers, a fall of 10.5%. Liberal Democrat plans stand in stark contrast to Labour and the Conservatives, who have made big promises on police numbers, but have failed to commit the funding needed to deliver them. The Conservatives’ cuts to police numbers have contributed to a rise in violence and decimated community policing, with 47% of people saying they never see police foot patrols, up from 30% in 2014-15. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds, commented: Communities across Wales have suffered under years of repeated Conservative cuts to police funding. Too many people now f...

A repor t by the Resolution Foundation has found that the Liberal Democrats' policies would mean 600,000 fewer children in poverty across the UK by 2023-24, making it the best set of proposals of the three main UK-wide parties. The report also found child poverty risks reaching a record high under Conservative plans. Wales has a disproportionate number of people in poverty, with more than one in five people (23%) and more than one in four children (29%) living in poverty. This means Liberal Democrat welfare policies will be most beneficial for Wales, whilst the Conservative’s policies would be the most damaging. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: This report is a damning indictment of the Tories’ welfare policies, which have seen levels of child poverty soar across the country and have hurt communities across Wales. While the Conservatives continue to drive more and more children into poverty, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will in...

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised Boris Johnson’s claim that his Brexit deal would mean zero tariffs or quotas for Welsh farmers exporting to the EU. NFU Cymru President John Davies said farmers had no certainty about access to EU markets until "the ink is dry" on a post-Brexit trade agreement. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: Boris Johnson saying that Welsh farmers would face no tariffs or quotas under his Brexit plans shows he is either deliberately misleading people or does not know what his own Withdrawal Agreement entails. Under Johnson’s deal the UK would enter a year-long transition period, in which time negotiations will take place to determine our future trading relationship with the EU. It provides no guarantees about the end destination and fails to provide any safeguards in case a deal is not reached in time. Furthermore, due to the Conservatives ruling out any extension to this transition per...

The Liberal Democrats claim Wales would gain an extra £560m a year due to their election pledges on education. The party has unveiled a £10bn boost to schools in England in its manifesto. Education is devolved, so more spending in England triggers extra cash for the Welsh Government to use as it sees fit. Pledging to stop Brexit if it wins a majority , the party says it would herald a wider remit for the assembly with powers over policing and prisons. "The election of a Liberal Democrat majority government on a clear stop Brexit platform will provide a democratic mandate to stop this mess, revoke Article 50 and stay in the EU," the manifesto, launched Wednesday, said. "We are unashamedly fighting to stay in the European Union, and we are the strongest party of Remain." Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds said she would urge ministers in Cardiff to spend the extra money promised on schools, to give children "the best start in life...

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson will be making a speech to business leaders at the CBI annual conference. She will be making the case that the Liberal Democrats are the natural party of business. Jo Swinson is expected to say: In an interview last week, Carolyn asked who the party of business is today. The answer is clear. The Liberal Democrats are the natural party of business. With the Conservatives in the pocket of Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn stuck in the 1970s, we are the only ones standing up for you. Because we believe that any form of Brexit, whether it’s hard or soft, blue or red, will be bad for jobs, business, and our public services. We believe that being part of one of the most successful economic blocs in the world is the best guarantee we can have for the future success of our businesses and of our country. We believe that our best future is as members of the European Union. …… I know that recent years have been challengin...

Jo Swinson wishes a very blessed and joyous Gurpurab to all those celebrating today Today marks Guru Nanak Gurpurab, which commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith. Sikh communities across the world will be celebrating the life of a great thinker; someone who stood up for equality, justice and fairness. The teachings of Guru Nanak are profoundly significant. As we mark 550 years since his birth, let us reflect on his message of love and community service to others. These teachings continue to resonate with millions today and are a source of inspiration to people of all faiths and those of none. Today we also recognise the extraordinary contributions of British Sikhs to our country. Sikh communities are essential to our national way of life. Celebrations like this are a reminder of how fortunate we are to be home to such vibrant and diverse communities. To all those celebrating, I wish you a very blessed and joyous Gurpura...