• Embargoed budget trail: The Conservatives are the great tax swindlers
• Welsh Lib Dems accuse Welsh Gov of abandoning rural Wales in final budget debate
• “Funding our futures” – Welsh Lib Dems demand action on school deficits
• Welsh Lib Dems call for major culture change in care system

Embargoed budget trail: The Conservatives are the great tax swindlers

Responding to the Chancellor’s embargoed budget trail, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

The Conservatives are the great tax swindlers after years of hiking them on hardworking families.

Rishi Sunak has led the economy into a recession and forced families to pick up the tab. They have no shame.

The Conservatives must put the NHS at the heart of the budget. It is no wonder the economy isn’t growing when millions of people are stuck on NHS waiting lists, unable to work.

The only way out of this mess is a General Election to deliver the change this country desperately needs.

Welsh Lib Dems accuse Welsh Gov of abandoning rural Wales in final budget debate

Today in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have accused the Welsh Labour Government of abandoning rural Wales.

In their final budget for the 2024-25 financial year, the Welsh Government is expected to follow through on a 13% cut in the Rural Affairs budget, creating a £62 million funding gap.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

These cuts to the Rural Affairs budget will have a disproportionate impact on the very heartbeat of Wales, creating long-lasting damage to our villages and farming communities.

Already facing uproar over the pitfalls of an unworkable farming scheme, these cuts will do the reputation of the Welsh Government no favours.

How many more times will the Welsh Labour government show their indifference to our rural communities?

How long will they continue to sideline the needs of our farmers?

The combination of an ill-conceived farming scheme and substantial cuts to rural investment will create a perfect storm that could devastate the already delicate futures of our rural communities.

“Funding our futures” – Welsh Lib Dems demand action on school deficits

Today in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have demanded that the Welsh Government take action on school deficits.

According to the Welsh Local Government Association schools are facing inflationary pressures totalling £177 million this year, which could potentially rise to £114 million next year.

Whilst according to the chairs of governors association, most schools expect to post deficits for the 2024-25 financial year.

The funding crisis currently facing schools across Wales has created fresh concerns around a reduction in teaching quality, staff burn-out, less maintenance and potential redundancies.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

Whilst I recognise and welcome the fact that the Welsh Government’s final budget will continue to maintain core school funding, at the same time it’s difficult for me to ignore its failures in ensuring additional financial support.

Faced with £177 million inflationary pressures, it should come as no surprise that many schools in Wales will be expected to post deficits for this coming financial year.

By failing to address this funding crisis in their final budget, the Welsh Government have potentially compromised the quality of education that our children receive.

Through their inaction, Welsh Labour also risk contributing towards staff burnout and job redundancies within an education sector already nearing its breaking point.

The Welsh Government must do more to empower our schools with greater financial autonomy and flexibility if we are to fund a brighter future for us all.

We urgently need to consider fresh reforms to the eligibility criteria for funding schemes like the Pupil Development grants, so that we can guarantee that our schools have the resources they need to meet student demands.

Welsh Lib Dems call for major culture change in care system

Today in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for a major culture change in the care system in Wales.

Two weeks ago, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats met with representatives from Voice from Care Cymru in the Oriel.

During the event a scarf made up of nearly 8,000 squares, each one representing a child or young person currently in the care system in Wales, was unveiled.

The Welsh Lib Dems are now calling on the Welsh Government to commit to delivering a care system that supports young people in care.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

Two weeks ago, I had the honour of sponsoring an event at the Senedd in collaboration with Voice from Care Cymru.

During the event I had the opportunity to speak to several care experienced young people who shared with me their views on how we can build a care system that works for them.

They also showed me an incredible creation- a knitted scarf made up of nearly 8,000 squares each representing a child or young person currently in the care system.

A child or young person that we all have a responsibility for.

Each and everyone of us in this Siambr has a commitment to these young people, a commitment to ensure that their voices are being heard.

From speaking to those care experienced young people, it was clear that we desperately need a major culture change in the current care system.

We need a care system that is not only effective, but also empowering and most importantly compassionate.

We need a care system that cares.