• Lib Dems slam Labour’s defence of rail funding injustice as “desperate”
• Cole-Hamilton: Fix care to fix the NHS
• Scot Lib Dems comment on road death figures

Lib Dems slam Labour’s defence of rail funding injustice as “desperate”

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have sharply criticised the Labour Government following comments from Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates, who appeared to defend the UK Government’s position on rail funding for Wales.

The row was sparked by information uncovered by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, revealing that the new multi-billion-pound Oxford-Cambridge East-West rail line is set to be designated as an “England and Wales” project.

This classification could deprive Wales of an additional £360 million in consequential rail funding for its own network.

In response, Ken Skates claimed the UK Labour Government “acknowledges that it shortchanges Wales” and pointed to an “ambitious pipeline of improvements” for Welsh rail. However, the Welsh Liberal Democrats dismissed his defence as “desperate,” noting that no major rail projects are currently planned for Wales.

The Lib Dems have argued that the current evidence shows that any new funding from the UK Government in the spending review is likely to be minor, and not make up for the large shortfalls caused by the use of the “England and Wales” classification over recent years.

The party also referenced a Freedom of Information request they submitted, which revealed that neither North nor South Wales electrification is being actively considered by Labour.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds stated that the UK Labour Government could immediately reclassify HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and East-West Rail as “England-only” projects—freeing up funds for Wales. She also highlighted that the government could easily bring forward legislation to devolve rail powers fully to the Welsh Government if it had the political will to do so.

The Liberal Democrats argue that the controversy highlights a broader failure of Welsh Labour MPs to stand up for their constituents and of the Welsh Government to exert meaningful influence over Westminster.

They further noted that there is a clear precedent for such designations: the Elizabeth Line in London (formerly Crossrail 1) was labelled an “England-only” project, which resulted in consequential funding being allocated to Wales under the current Barnett formula rules.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:

The defence we have seen from the Welsh Labour Government on this issue is pathetic. Meanwhile, it doesn’t even look like the UK Government can be bothered to issue a response to address the outrage.

Until the general election, Labour agreed with us that the situation over Welsh rail funding was a massive scandal, now that they are in power, they seem intent on keeping the same rotten system in place.

It isn’t good enough. If they really wanted to, they could change this system tomorrow. They could redesignate the projects and they could fully devolve rail to Wales. It’s a political choice not to do so.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for Wales to have its fair share of infrastructure investment so we can not only improve public transport for people who rely on it, but also drive economic growth and investment in Wales.

Cole-Hamilton: Fix care to fix the NHS

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called on the Scottish Government to fix care services as part of a bid to fix the NHS. His call comes as a host of statistics released today detail issues in A&E, mental health services, hospital discharge, operating theatres and care.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

So many of the problems in our NHS come from the SNP’s failure to fix care services. When people can’t get a care package they’re trapped in hospital. When people are trapped in hospital, other patients cannot get treatment. A&E and ambulances start to overflow.

There is no way to fix the NHS without fixing care. That’s why we want to introduce a new higher minimum wage for all carers across the UK, relieving pressure on our hospitals.

Then there needs to be considerable investment in diagnostic tests, staffing and preventative care to reduce the burden on both NHS and care services.

On A&E performance where just 67.2% of type 1 attendances were seen and resulted in a subsequent admission, transfer or discharge within 4 hours, he said:

I’ve spoken with people who would normally go to an A&E but say that unless they might lose a finger, they’re just not bothering.

The SNP need to invest in care services to get people out of hospital and free up space in A&E departments.

At the April 2025 census, there were 1,868 people facing a delay to their discharge from hospital, he said:

It’s unacceptable that a lack of care at home or in the community is keeping so many people stuck in hospital.

Staff and services have been failed by a government that has wasted four years and £30 million on a top-down takeover of social care instead of investing in frontline services.

The SNP have spent the last eighteen years proving they can’t deliver. That’s why we need a change of government.

On new mental health stats showing 4,674 children and young people and 24,775 adults were waiting for treatment at the quarter ending March 2025, with 245 children and young people and 2,437 adults waiting more than a year to start treatment, he said:

The SNP Government is letting down thousands of people who are being forced to wait over a year to start treatment. These waits must feel like an age.

Scotland needs world class mental health services. Liberal Democrats would increase the tax paid by the social media giants who cause so much of the problem – a move that could help fund more mental health support in schools, get more professionals close to where you live, and ramp up the training of new staff and mental health first aiders.

Responding to the Health and Care Survey showing 43% of people surveyed that reported needing help or support said they had unmet support needs and disabled adults were more likely to report unmet needs, he said:

The human toll of this neglect is huge. Not only would it be the compassionate choice to help those who need it, it would be the economically sensible one too as there are many who would like to work with the right support and adaptations. The SNP need to invest in care services.

On more than half a million operations being lost compared to pre-pandemic activity levels, he said:

The SNP have completely failed to get our health service back on its feet following the pandemic.

John Swinney can promise the earth for our NHS all he likes, but after 18 years of broken promises, no one believes him.

Staff and patients need a change of government.

Scot Lib Dems comment on road death figures

Responding to provisional figures from Transport Scotland showing that in 2024, 160 people lost their lives on Scotland’s roads, an increase on the 147 deaths in 2023, with Scotland set to miss targets for a 50% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2030, Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire MP Angus MacDonald said:

160 lives lost on Scotland’s roads is 160 lives too many.

I don’t want to see any more families left without loved ones because the Scottish Government continues to drag its heels when it comes to tackling dangerous trunk roads.

It’s almost two decades since the SNP came to power pledging action to improve trunk roads in the North and North East, yet next to nothing has happened.

Communities across Scotland deserve better than missed targets and deadlines. As a matter of public safety, our roads urgently need to be upgraded.

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Inverness & Nairn, Neil Alexander said:

As a long-time campaigner for upgrading the A9, A96 and A82, I believe that getting these vital road upgrades would have a real impact on road safety.

I was too young to vote when the SNP first made these promises. If I am elected to the Scottish Parliament next year I will keep the pressure on ministers to deliver.