"The additional support for students, colleges, new homes and help for children from disadvantaged backgrounds reflected the priorities we argued for."
- Feb 9, 2012:
- Swansea Council Tax freeze is welcome news for residents
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed the announcement by Swansea Council that they will be freezing council tax next year. Good financial management by Liberal Democrat-led authority means that residents of Swansea will not have to pay any more while the council is able to protect and invest in frontline services. This is in stark comparison with the large rises experienced by Swansea residents when the council was run by Labour. Under the last eight years of the previous Labour administration the average yearly council tax rise was a hefty 7.6%. This compare to the Liberal Democrat administration's modest average increase of 3.4% per annum between 2004 and 2012. That amounts to a saving of £3,104 over the last eight years for the average Band D property owner. Mr Black said: "It is great news that savings made through sound financial management by Liberal Democrat councillors can be passed on to Swansea residents in the form of a council tax freeze for 2012/13. "Efficiency savings and lowering the amount of money paid to councillors' means that the Welsh Liberal Democrat run council has been able to safeguard and invest in frontline services. For example a cut of 20% in special responsibility allowances has saved the council £1million over the last eight years of Liberal Democrat administration, all of which was reinvested into cleansing. ""The zero increase for next year is yet more good news for Swansea residents who have been consistently better off financially under a Liberal Democrat run council compared to Labour. It will certainly help hard-pressed families make ends meet." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- William Powell AM demands more energy price cuts
Planned price reductions by big energy suppliers have been described as too little too late by William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development. All the big energy companies have followed the lead of British Gas by announcing they will reduce prices by around 5% this spring, but this is nothing compared to the massive price hikes of the last two years says Mr Powell. He is demanding more energy price cuts now. William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said: "Fuel poverty in Wales has soared to 41% of households which is the highest in the UK. So any price reduction is welcome news because it will help hard-pressed families. But the main reason for fuel poverty going up has been the price hikes imposed on us all by the big energy suppliers. A cut now is the least that they could do. I am also concerned that most large energy companies have cut the price of one fuel only - the one that has the smallest number of customers. For instance, British Gas has only cut electricity prices but it has twice as many gas-buying customers. EDF and SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) have only cut gas prices but more of their customers buy electricity. That does not appear to be a coincidence. When the big energy companies pushed their prices up, gas and electricity prices rose together. That is not the case when we have price cuts. Wholesale prices have fallen from their 2011 peak by 19% for gas, and 25% for electricity, and yet we are only being offered a 5% reduction that will come into effect as winter ends when fuel use falls. The energy companies are indulging in yet more cynical PR posturing. If they were serious about helping their customers they would reduce prices across both fuels, increase the size of the cut to reflect their falling costs, and introduce it immediately. It is obvious that they will not change until they are forced to do so. That is why the Competition Commission needs to investigate this latest manoeuvre urgently." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Action required to curb metal theft across Wales - William Powell AM
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson, has called on the Welsh Government to act swiftly to curb metal theft across rural Wales. William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said: "In these difficult times we have seen a significant number of metal theft cases across Wales. In some cases thefts have caused asbestos to be dangerously exposed and have led to perpetrators clothes becoming contaminated. This is not only a very real danger to both the public and the perpetrators, but also places the Police in danger when they apprehend any suspects. Last year this problem became so acute that a Dyfed Powys Police vehicle even had to be scrapped, after a villain had been apprehended at the crime scene - the former Mid Wales Hospital in Talgarth. As a result I have written to the Minister for Local Government and Communities to request that he makes a statement to me on this issue, and also engage with the Police, and relevant local authorities, to assist them in developing measures to deal with contaminated suspects." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Swansea Council Tax freeze is welcome news for residents
- Feb 8, 2012:
- Lib Dems vote for Scottish budget
- Equalities Minister did not meet with Awema following warning report
Further evidence of Welsh Labour Government inaction over Awema has come to light. A Written Assembly Question reveals how, Jane Hutt, the then Equalities Minister had not met with Awema officials in her new tenure following a critical report of the race charity in 2004/2005 In April 2006, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM asked: "What meetings has the Minister had with the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association officials in the last 12 months? Jane Hutt responded: "I have not had any meetings with AWEMA officials over the past 12 months." Responding to this revelation, Peter Black, Shadow Welsh Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister said: "In light of the recent critical Awema report, my written assembly question to the then Labour Equalities Minister casts a dark shadow over Welsh Labour Government's reluctance to take action over a charity in receipt of thousands of tax payers' money. "The Welsh Labour Government was warned not to continue funding this charity because of concerns surrounding project management, performance monitoring and financial management controls. Not only did the Welsh Labour Government continue funding this charity despite this warning, it seems that the Equalities Minister did not meet with officials to monitor their spending of millions of tax payers' money. "The more we research what has been happening in Awema and in the secretive corridors of the Welsh Labour Government, the more murky and serious this affair is becoming." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Equalities Minister did not meet with Awema following warning report - Peter Black
Further evidence of Welsh Labour Government inaction over Awema has come to light. A Written Assembly Question reveals how, Jane Hutt, the then Equalities Minister had not met with Awema officials in her new tenure following a critical report of the race charity in 2004/2005 In April 2006, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM asked: "What meetings has the Minister had with the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association officials in the last 12 months? Jane Hutt responded: "I have not had any meetings with AWEMA officials over the past 12 months." Responding to this revelation, Peter Black, Shadow Welsh Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister said: "In light of the recent critical Awema report, my written assembly question to the then Labour Equalities Minister casts a dark shadow over Welsh Labour Government's reluctance to take action over a charity in receipt of thousands of tax payers' money. "The Welsh Labour Government was warned not to continue funding this charity because of concerns surrounding project management, performance monitoring and financial management controls. Not only did the Welsh Labour Government continue funding this charity despite this warning, it seems that the Equalities Minister did not meet with officials to monitor their spending of millions of tax payers' money. "The more we research what has been happening in Awema and in the secretive corridors of the Welsh Labour Government, the more murky and serious this affair is becoming." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Energy price cuts do not go far enough
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has described recent announcements of future price reductions by big energy suppliers as too little too late compared to the massive price hikes of the last two years. All the big energy companies have followed the lead of British Gas and announced that they are reducing prices by around 5% at some point this spring. Mr. Black said: "Fuel poverty in Wales has soared to 41% of households which is the highest in the UK. Many of those struggling to cope live here in South Wales West. Obviously, any price reduction is welcome as it will help hard-pressed families throughout our region. However, one of the main reasons for household incomes coming under pressure has been the price hikes that the energy giants have imposed on us all over the last two years. A cut now is the least that they could do. "I am concerned that most of the Big Six energy companies have cut the price of one fuel only. For instance, British Gas has only cut electricity prices, EDF and Scottish and Southern Energy (which is SWALEC around here) have only cut gas prices. British Gas has twice as many gas-buying customers as electricity customers. EDF and SSE have many more customers who buy electricity than gas. That does not appear to be a coincidence. "When the Big Six pushed their prices up, gas and electricity prices rose together. That us not the case when we experience price cuts. Wholesale prices have fallen from their 2011 peak by 19% for gas, and 25% for electricity, and yet we are only being offered a 5% reduction that will come into effect as winter ends, and fuel use falls. "The energy companies are indulging in yet more cynical PR posturing. If they were serious about playing their part to tackle fuel poverty they would reduce prices across both fuels, increase the size of the cut to reflect their falling costs, and introduce it immediately. "It is obvious that they will not change until they are forced to do so. That is why the Competition Commission needs to investigate this latest manoeuvre urgently." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- 'Welsh Government must seize this opportunity to reform Glastir' - William Powell AM
William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson, has called on the Welsh Government to use the opportunity presented by the 'Working Smarter' report to reform fundamentally the Glastir Scheme. William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said: "Despite there being around 14,000 expressions of interest, fewer than 2,000 farmers have so far signed up to Glastir. By any measure, this is far below the levels expected and the numbers required to make the scheme a success. The 74 recommendations contained within the report demonstrate just how inappropriately regulated the farming sector in Wales has been in recent years, and I welcome the fact that the Welsh Government has accepted every single one in whole or in part. As the report states, Glastir was 'introduced too soon and in a rushed fashion before the scheme policy detail was properly developed in a true partnership with stakeholders'. As such it is essential that the Welsh Government grasps this opportunity to reform Glastir and correct the mistakes of the One Wales Government, giving our farmers the support they need and deserve in facing the challenges that lie ahead." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Welsh Labour Government advised not to continue Awema funding in review - Kirsty Williams
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have obtained a copy of the 2003 commissioned review into the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association. The report, published in 2005, commissioned by the then Labour Social Justice Minister following claims of financial irregularities, states in its recommendations that "no further funding is provided to Awema for new projects until AWEMA is able to verify that it has taken a systematic approach to project and performance management" Further recommendations state: "the main recommendations for Awema relate to project management, performance monitoring and financial management controls." As of 2003, AWEMA had received £325,000 in tax payers' money to engage with BME communities. Even after the independent review recommended that no further funding be given to Awema, the Welsh Labour Government continued to fund the charity to the tune of £8.5 million. Carwyn Jones, First Minister, today in the Assembly Chamber said that his government had nothing to hide over Awema. The First Minister also said it was "not clear" whether the 2003 report had been published. Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "Carwyn Jones told me today that his government had "nothing to hide" from the people of Wales over the funding of Awema. The report we obtained today clearly states that the Welsh Labour Government knew that there were problems with Awema, its funding and financial management back in 2005. "The Welsh Labour Government was advised by an independent review not to continue to fund this organisation. Why did they not heed this advice? Awema have been in receipt of millions of tax-payers' pounds since this report was given to the Welsh Labour Government. In tough financial times, the public expect the Welsh Government to ensure that their taxes are spent wisely. This is simply not good enough. "I am also very surprised by the Welsh Labour Government's foolishness in not applying rigorous scrutiny and transparency when dealing with Awema given that Labour is heavily involved with the charity. Accusations have been levelled at the Welsh Labour Government for trying 'to protect its own', I fear that the disclosure of this report does nothing to quell those suggestions." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Lib Dems vote for Scottish budget
- Feb 7, 2012:
- Russell last man standing over college cuts
"At a time when Scotland's unemployment rate is rising faster the elsewhere in the UK, and youth unemployment is seen as a priority, this attack by the SNP on colleges defies logic."
- Laughing stock comment says more about Trump than Scotland
"Donald Trump's hysterical attack exaggerates the impact of the offshore turbines on his golf course."
- Graham Watson: European renewable energy is answer to Gazprom gas crisis
Commenting on the ongoing crisis where Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Germany have experienced reductions of up to 30% in Russian gas supplies from Gazprom over the last few days, Sir Graham said:
"The freezing conditions across Europe highlight yet again the dangers of being so overly-reliant on Russia for a quarter of our gas. Gazprom has - understandably - diverted its supplies to keep Russian homes warm, leaving many European countries short and prices on the rise."
"And we just don't know what Gazprom will do next."
"But the wind is blowing harder than ever in the Scottish Hebrides and it is 15 C and sunny in southern Spain and Greece. If, instead of building gas pipelines, we were building electricity transmission infrastructure and switching from fossil fuels to wind and solar power, this week's energy outlook would be a different story. European renewables are the answer to our energy security."
"Indeed, the sun is also shining bright as ever in the Sahara. Importing electricity from North Africa would in fact be more secure than Russian gas, due to the larger number of potential trading partners and the fact that electricity cannot be switched off like gas. Electricity is the ultimate 'just in time' product: that which is not transmitted today is lost forever." - Time for Welsh Labour Government to make 2003 Awema report public
Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Equalities Minister, is today calling on the Welsh Labour Government to make public the report commissioned back in 2003 regarding financial irregularities in the equalities body All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema). The report commissioned by the then Labour Social Justice Minister, Edwina Hart, has never been made public but it does raise questions whether it recommended it was time to stop funding Awema. It has been suggested that the report did recommended stopping funds to Awema but that this was never actioned by Labour Ministers. Nearly a decade later, the Welsh Labour Government is expected to publish another report on the financial irregularities of Awema and suggest whether it should continue to receive public funding. Just last week, Permanent Secretary Dame Gillian Morgan said that Awema should have been graded "high risk" after numerous allegations of financial corruption. Peter Black has used the Freedom of Information Act to request a copy of the 2003 report. Peter Black said: "I welcome the Welsh Government's intention to publish the 2012 Awema report however it is imperative that they publish the 2003 report so that we can be assured that the Welsh Labour Government weren't covering up for 'one of their own', as has been suggested. "The people of Wales have a right to know if their taxes are being spent appropriately. The expected report on Thursday will hopefully shed light on the Awema debacle but the 2003 report will give a fuller picture of what has been going on in a charity in receipt of substantial amounts of public funds. "Carwyn Jones and the Welsh Government have always said how they want an open and transparent government. This is the perfect opportunity for the government to show their commitment by publishing this report. I have used the Freedom of Information Act to see whether the Welsh Government will publish this report that could possibly be the 'smoking gun' in the Awema affair." Published and promoted by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Freedom Central, Blake Court, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DWPrinted (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Lorely Burt: Labour hypocrisy on bankers' bonuses
"The sheer hypocrisy of Labour to point the finger on bankers' bonuses is staggering. Labour presided over the biggest boom in bonuses this country has seen, from £3.1bn in 2001 to £11.5 billion in 2007. At the same time, they sat back and knighted the financial speculators who led this country to the brink of economic collapse.
"The Coalition Government inherited this economic mess from Labour and has taken decisive action to put the country back on track. We've capped cash bonuses at state owned banks to £2,000 and overall, the bonus pool is smaller than last year and considerably less than under Labour.
"In Government, Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing - implementing the Vickers' proposals to make banking safer in the future, continuing our fight to get the banks to lend more and introducing the banking levy which raises £2.5bn a year. All Labour can do is complain from the side lines.
"While Labour spent thirteen years being intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich, Liberal Democrats have made clear that our priority is lifting the lowest paid people out of paying income tax all together." - Julian Huppert: Coalition cycling investment comes at a crucial time
"Promoting cycling and green transport is the right thing to do and I am delighted Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are taking action.
"This comes at a crucial time. Just five days ago The Times launched a cycle campaign in response to the shocking increase in fatalities among cyclists on our roads.
"It is absolutely essential people should be able to walk to work or cycle to school in a safe environment. The extra £8m for Sustrans will go a long way to achieving this.
"And the £7m for improved rail-cycle links will ensure that we continue to build a transport network which puts passengers first."
- Russell last man standing over college cuts
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