Tag Archives: jane dodds

26 February 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 26th February 2024 - 11:00 pm

Lee Anderson: Sunak needs to condemn his comments for what they are
Bathing Water announcement: Half-baked which does not ban sewage in swimming spots
Wales’ Biggest Scarf? Showing Some Love to Our Care Experienced Community.

Lee Anderson: Sunak needs to condemn his comments for what they are

Responding to Rishi Sunak and Mark Harper’s latest comments on Lee Anderson this morning, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

The refusal of Rishi Sunak and his ministers to properly call out Lee Anderson’s extreme comments shows just how low the Conservative Party has fallen.

Rishi Sunak needs to condemn Anderson’s comments for what they

…

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged children's care, conservative party extremism, daisy cooper, tim farron and water pollution | 7 Comments

Lib Dems launch rescue plan for farmers

By The Voice | Wed 21st February 2024 - 9:42 am

Tim Farron is going to be speaking to the National Farmers’ Union today and he’ll set out a rescue package for Britain’s farmers who have essentially been done over by the Government in so many ways. Whether it’s post-Brexit payments, unworkable rules on workers visas or trade deals that put our own farmers at a disadvantage, the party is announcing its solution, which includes an extra £1 billion for farmers.

Tim said:

British farmers need to be rescued from years of Conservative neglect and failed rural policies, which have left our countryside in dire need of help. For too long Conservative MPs have taken farmers for granted. Conservative Ministers are shamelessly attempting to rewrite history ahead of the General Election.

Farmers are increasingly turning to the Liberal Democrats to send this Conservative government a message.

Farmers do not only put food on our tables, but crucially, act as the custodians of our environment. Yet Ministers have failed spectacularly to roll out new payment programmes, and signed botched overseas trade deals which have undercut environmental standards.

Enough is enough. It is time for change and the British countryside won’t be ignored any longer by this out of touch Conservative government.

Lib Dems would:

Posted in News | Also tagged farming and tim farron | 5 Comments

8 February 2024 – today’s press releases (part 2)

By Mark Valladares | Thu 8th February 2024 - 10:30 pm

No fault-evictions: PM must deliver on his government’s promises
Welsh Lib Dems react to “farcical” rise in train fares
Crumbling schools: Govt must stop sitting on its hands and speed up rebuilding

No fault-evictions: PM must deliver on his government’s promises

Responding to figures that show no-fault evictions spiked by almost a third last year, Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson, Helen Morgan MP said:

Rishi Sunak’s failure to bring forward the ban on no-fault evictions is having devastating consequences for vulnerable families across the country.

No family should lose their home through no-fault of their own. Yet, under this Conservative government that is exactly what they are allowing to continue.

The Prime Minister needs to do something that does not come naturally to him, deliver on his government’s promises.

Welsh Lib Dems react to “farcical” rise in train fares

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have described the latest rise in train fares by the Transport for Wales as “farcical”.

The Welsh Government has announced that rail fares in Wales will rise by 4.9% from the 3rd of March, claiming that the rise was needed to allow Transport for Wales to meet higher costs and continuing investment.

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged concrete, helen morgan, munira wilson, no-fault eviction and rail fares | 16 Comments

7 February 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 7th February 2024 - 9:30 pm

Government have left dental services to rot and now think they can rebuild it with a handful of toothpicks
2.2 million people’s work impacted by being stuck on NHS waiting lists
Dentist dossier: Five Conservative failures on dental care
“More opportunities needed for young people living in rural Wales”- Welsh Lib Dems

Government have left dental services to rot and now think they can rebuild it with a handful of toothpicks

Responding to Health Secretary Victoria Atkins morning interviews on the Government’s new dental plan, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

Seeing a Minister duck and dive on the reality of dental funding cuts will be hard to swallow for millions who have been left waiting for so long under this Government.

The reality is they’ve left our dental services to rot and now think they can rebuild it with a handful of toothpicks.

People are sick and tired of a Conservative government that doesn’t know how to fix yet another crisis of its own making.

2.2 million people’s work impacted by being stuck on NHS waiting lists

Around 2.2 million people are seeing their work impacted by being stuck on waiting lists for NHS treatment, including many going on long-term sick leave or reducing their hours, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

This is up from 1.41 million people whose work was being affected by waiting for NHS treatment in January 2023. It comes after Rishi Sunak admitted this week he has failed to meet his pledge to bring down NHS waiting lists.

The Liberal Democrats said it showed the Conservative government’s failure to tackle soaring NHS waiting lists was dealing a “hammer blow” to the economy.

The figures are based on the latest Office for National Statistics survey looking at the impact of being on an NHS waiting list, conducted between October 2023 and January 2024. The survey found that over one in four adults report they are waiting for a hospital appointment, test, or to start receiving medical treatment through the NHS.

Among those who said their lives had been impacted by waiting for NHS treatment, 24% said their work had been affected, equivalent to over 2.2 million people across the country. Of these, the survey suggests that around 626,300 (29%) people had reduced their hours, 367,000 (17%) had gone on long-term sick leave and 151,000 (7%) had stopped working to go on illness related benefits.

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged daisy cooper, ed davey, NHS dentistry, NHS waiting lists and young people | Leave a comment

6 February 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 6th February 2024 - 9:30 pm

Sunak interview: Most people worry when they are hit with a surprise £1,000 bill, the PM does not even register it
PopCon: Tory MPs at launch pocketed £85,000 in severance payments
Dental plan “too little too late” for people desperately queuing in Bristol
“No child deserves to go hungry”- Welsh Lib Dems
Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds urges for more support for rural GP’s
“Simply papering over the cracks in our services”- Welsh Lib Dems

Sunak interview: Most people worry when they are hit with a surprise £1,000 bill, the PM does not even register it

Responding to the Prime Minister’s interview this morning, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

Rishi Sunak either does not care or does not get it. As the Prime Minister buries his head in the sand and pretends everything is fine, people across the country are suffering.

Most people when they are hit with a surprise £1,000 bill worry about how they are going to make their next mortgage payments or put food on the table for their children.

Instead, the Prime Minister does not even register the significance of that amount of money. Out of touch does not even begin to describe Sunak.

The Prime Minister’s cold soundbites that everything is working simply do not survive contact with reality.

PopCon: Tory MPs at launch pocketed £85,000 in severance payments

The Conservative MPs at today’s Popular Conservatism launch pocketed almost £85,000 in taxpayer-funded pay-outs, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

The Liberal Democrats said, “This is not popular Conservatism, it’s economic vandalism.”

Liz Truss pocketed a £18,660 taxpayer payout despite previously criticising “handouts” to help with the cost of living, while Jacob Rees-Mogg claimed £16,800 despite attacking the size of the state. Other Conservative MPs who attended the event, including former Chief Whip Wendy Morton, former Home Secretary Priti Patel and ex-education minister Andrea Jenkyns, all took severance payments worth thousands of pounds. In total Conservative MPs at the event pocketed £84,955 in taxpayer-funded payouts.

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged child poverty, daisy cooper, gp funding, NHS dentistry, popular conservatism, public services, rishi sunak, rural communities and wendy chamberlain | 14 Comments

23 January 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 23rd January 2024 - 10:30 pm

Davey on Houthi strikes: Vital Parliament has its say
Simon Clarke and Sunak soap opera: A fourth PM without an election would be “ludicrous”
Operation Onyx One Year On – 1,400 Met Officers Still Under Investigation for Sexual Abuse
Welsh Lib Dems urge Welsh Government to make good on promise to “prioritise care not profit”
Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds calls on Welsh Government to protect businesses from floods

Davey on Houthi strikes: Vital Parliament has its say

Responding to the latest set of strikes on the Houthi rebels, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

Liberal Democrats are concerned about the Houthis’ attacks in the Red Sea and so we support the case for limited strikes, so long as they remain limited.

However, it is absolutely vital that Parliament has an opportunity to have its say, via a debate and a vote. The Prime Minister has so far failed to grant either. It is deeply disappointing that elected representatives are being bypassed on an issue as important as military action.

Simon Clarke and Sunak soap opera: A fourth PM without an election would be “ludicrous”

Responding to Simon Clarke calling on Rishi Sunak to be replaced as Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

It is utterly ludicrous that the Conservative Party is even discussing installing a fourth Prime Minister without giving voters a say.

The Conservatives are once again fighting like rats in a sack while families face soaring bills and an NHS crisis.

People are sick and tired of this never-ending Conservative Party soap opera. It’s time for Rishi Sunak to give voters the chance to put an end to this farce and call a general election.

Posted in London, News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged Caroline Pidgeon, children's care, daisy cooper, ed davey, flooding, metropolitan police, tory leadership and yemen | Leave a comment

19 January 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 19th January 2024 - 11:20 pm

Rob Blackie: Flashy Fares Freeze Fools No One
Welsh Lib Dems push for Senedd reform

Rob Blackie: Flashy Fares Freeze Fools No One

Following Sadiq Khan’s announcement he is freezing fares for a year, Lib Dem Candidate for London Mayor, Rob Blackie, said:

Sadiq Khan’s flashy fare freeze fools no one. It is typical of a Mayor who prefers delivering headlines to delivering for Londoners.

We all know the state of Transport for London’s finances and so the Mayor will simply claw this back through other means – most likely after votes have been cast. It is simply an election year gimmick.

After eight years of mismanagement, the Mayor has repeatedly cancelled investments like the Sutton tram – only now to find money down the back of the sofa for an election campaign sweetener.

Khan can’t be trusted to run Transport for London.

Welsh Lib Dems push for Senedd reform

The Senedd Reform Bill Committee today published its report ahead of the introduction of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill.

Jane Dodds MS sits as a member of the committee and has played a fundamental role in the scrutiny of the electoral method proposed by the Welsh Government.

Ahead of the upcoming Senedd reforms, the party have set out their position to see the Senedd expanded in terms of its members whilst also pushing for the fairest electoral system possible with the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote system.

Posted in London, News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged rob blackie, tfl and welsh senedd | 1 Comment

18 January 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 18th January 2024 - 11:45 pm

Sunak press conference: Out of touch and out of ideas
UK Stats Authority criticises Sunak over asylum backlog claim
“The Tories have failed Port Talbot” – Welsh Lib Dems

Sunak press conference: Out of touch and out of ideas

Responding to Rishi Sunak’s press conference on the Conservative government’s Rwanda policy, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

This Conservative government crashed the economy, sent mortgage rates spiralling and has made it almost impossible to see a GP.

Instead of tackling these major challenges, Rishi Sunak’s government is too busy fighting over an unworkable and expensive policy that is destined to fail.

It just confirms how desperately out

…

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged Alistair Carmichael, ed davey, post truth politics, rwanda bill and tata steel | 1 Comment

11 January 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 11th January 2024 - 10:00 pm

Lib Dems call for Ofcom investigation on GB News “bias and misleading” reporting of Post Office scandal
Double by-election: Conservative majority being whittled away
NHS waiting lists soar by 400,000 since Sunak made pledge to cut them

Lib Dems call for Ofcom investigation on GB News “bias and misleading” reporting of Post Office scandal

Deputy Leader slams Farage and Conservative MP presenters for “bias, misleading and at times, frankly absurd news reporting”

Conservative politicians lining up to host TV shows in election year whilst refusing to criticise their own party

The Liberal Democrats have written to Ofcom to demand an investigation into the reporting of the Post Office Horizon scandal by Nigel Farage, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson.

The party has noted that the Reform Party Chairman Farage and Conservative MP Rees-Mogg both failed to report on the scandal impartially, after they attacked opposition parties without including the Conservative government’s role.

In a letter to the Chief Executive of Ofcom, Daisy Cooper MP also noted that Lee Anderson cannot be trusted to report without bias on the matter, after non-stop attacks on the Leader of the Liberal Democrats on social media and in the House of Commons.

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged by-elections, daisy cooper, NHS waiting lists, ofcom and small businesses | 16 Comments

10 January 2024 – today’s Welsh press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 10th January 2024 - 10:45 pm

“Urgent action needed to beat the clock in climate fight”- Welsh Lib Dems
Jane Dodds MS calls for more mental health support for rural Wales
“Now’s the time to capitalise on Green energy”- Welsh Lib Dems
“It’s time to call an end to child poverty”- Welsh Lib Dems

“Urgent action needed to beat the clock in climate fight”- Welsh Lib Dems

Today, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on both the Welsh Labour Government and the UK Conservative government to get serious on tackling the climate crisis.

According to BBC analysis, the year 2023 has been confirmed as the hottest year on record. And last week, the Met Office reported that the UK experienced its second warmest year on record in 2023.

Commenting, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds said:

I was deeply concerned to hear that this past calendar year has been confirmed to be the hottest on record.

If the past few years of extreme weather and soaring temperatures have not been a wake-up call, then this one should surely send alarm bells ringing both in Cardiff Bay and Westminster.

We desperately need urgent action to help us beat the clock in this fight against climate change.

Make no mistake, there is no do over. We can either make peace with our failures or fight not just for our future, but for our children’s and their children’s futures.

So, I ask governments across the globe, not just here in the UK, what will it be?

How will you want to be remembered for what you did during the greatest crisis humanity has ever encountered?

Jane Dodds MS calls for more mental health support for rural Wales

Today in the Senedd, Jane Dodds MS has called on the Welsh Government to improve access to mental health support and substance support for people living in rural areas.

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged child poverty, climate emergency, green energy and mental health | Leave a comment

9 January 2024 – today’s Welsh press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 9th January 2024 - 10:45 pm

“No more tinkering, we need bravery”- Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds sets out her priorities for new FM
Welsh Lib Dems urge for clarity over future of Bwndel Babi scheme
Welsh Lib Dems criticise Welsh Labour government over “lack of vision” with budget
“Communities must feel that they are being listened to when it comes to their safety”- Welsh Lib Dems urge Welsh Government

“No more tinkering, we need bravery”- Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds sets out her priorities for new FM

Today, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds has urged both Welsh Labour leadership candidates to set out a new vision for Wales.

Current Health minister Vaughan Gething and Education minister Jeremy Miles are both in the race to become the new FM following the resignation of Mark Drakeford.

Commenting, leader of the Welsh Lib Dems Jane Dodds said:

The start of a new year brings with it a chance for renewed optimism. And with a new First Minister set to take charge this coming spring, a chance for a fresh approach to how Wales is being run should in theory be just around the corner.

What we have heard from both candidates so far is that they will be taking the same “steady as she goes” approach. More tinkering, more managerialism, and not the vision for the future that people desperately need.

We don’t want to see any more conservatism from Welsh Labour, what we need is a First Minister who is willing to take a bold and brave new direction for our country.

We need a new vision for a thriving economy, a fresh start for our NHS, an innovative democracy, and creating a nation of second chances where everyone has the opportunity to get ahead. We need a fair deal for every corner and every person across our country.

For far too long now the Labour party have stood by and watched as our country, our government, and our parliament has been dragged into the mud by an indifferent UK Conservative government.

We need a Labour party, at both ends of the M4, willing to stand up and demand that Wales gets its fair share.

No more tinkering about and searching for excuses, now is the time for bravery.

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged budget, childcare, leadership, policing and Wales | Leave a comment

8 January 2024 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 8th January 2024 - 10:30 pm

Sunak Connect speech: “An arsonist offering to put out the fire”
Welsh Lib Dems demand action in South Wales fire service scandal

Sunak Connect speech: “An arsonist offering to put out the fire”

Responding to Rishi Sunak’s Connect speech in Lancashire this morning, where the Prime Minister urged voters to continue voting for his party, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

Rishi Sunak is like an arsonist offering to put out a fire. This mess is the fault of Conservative Prime Ministers crashing the economy, hiking taxes and letting the NHS crumble.

He is living on another planet. Just how out of touch is he? It’s clear now Rishi Sunak thinks everything is fine and nothing should change.

This chaotic Conservative government has had long enough to get their act together. Enough is enough.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged conservatives, daisy cooper, fire service and sexual harassment | 1 Comment

23 November 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 23rd November 2023 - 11:30 pm

Autumn Statement: NHS budget slashed by £5bn next year
Net migration figures: Conservatives need to accept that their approach isn’t working
Welsh Lib Dems leader calls for funding of the arts in Wales

Autumn Statement: NHS budget slashed by £5bn next year

The Conservative Government is cutting annual NHS spending by almost £5 billion in real-terms, figures buried in the small print of today’s Autumn Statement have revealed.

Jeremy Hunt has cut day-to-day spending in cash terms for NHS England in 2024-25 from £165.9bn in his March Budget to £162.5bn in the Autumn Statement, a cut of £3.4 billion.

In real-terms, that will leave the NHS budget £4.7 billion (2.9%) lower compared to 2022-23. It comes despite the Conservative government handing £3.8bn a year of tax cuts to the banks.

Jeremy Hunt also failed to mention GPs, dentists or ambulances once in his Autumn Statement today, despite the crisis facing patients and local health services across the country.

Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP:

It beggars belief that this Conservative government is slashing funding for the NHS while giving billions of pounds of tax giveaways to the banks. It just shows they have got their priorities completely wrong.

Jeremy Hunt failed to mention GPs, dentists or ambulances once in his Autumn Statement, showing just how out of touch he is.

Patients around the country are waiting months in pain for treatment and weeks to get an appointment with their GP. You can’t fix the damage the Conservative Party has done to our economy without fixing the damage they have done to our NHS.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged Alistair Carmichael, arts, migration targets, nhs funding and sarah olney | 6 Comments

22 November 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Wed 22nd November 2023 - 10:30 pm

Cameron HMRC scrutiny: Zahawi scandal mark two
Autumn Statement a deception after years of Conservative tax hikes
Ed Davey slams “Hunt hoax” over £200bn stealth tax grab
Welsh Lib Dems urge Welsh Gov to make sure that building remediation costs aren’t being forced on residents
Conservative giveaway to big banks set to cost taxpayers £22 billion

Cameron HMRC scrutiny: Zahawi scandal mark two

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an ethics advisor probe after reports that David Cameron is being looked into by HMRC.

The party said it is important to know whether this reported scrutiny was disclosed when Rishi Sunak appointed him to the Lords and throughout the vetting process.

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

This looks like the Zahawi scandal mark two. Yet again, it appears Sunak has appointed a cabinet minister being looked into by HMRC.

The Prime Minister must ask the ethics advisor to investigate these reports as a matter of urgency. Serious questions need answering over whether this reported HMRC scrutiny was disclosed as part of the appointment and vetting process for Cameron’s seat in the Lords, and whether Sunak was aware when he appointed him.

Far from looking to kick sleaze out of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister seems to have sought to bring even more in from the outside.

Autumn Statement a deception after years of Conservative tax hikes

Responding to the Autumn Statement, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

This is a deception from Jeremy Hunt after years of cruel tax hikes on hard-working families from this government.

Conservative chaos has sent mortgages and tax bills soaring, today’s announcements won’t even touch the sides.

Worse still was the deafening silence on health. These dismal forecasts show the economy is on life support and reducing NHS waiting lists is the shot in the arm needed.

It is a no-brainer that we need people off waiting lists and back to work, yet this Conservative government simply doesn’t care.

Today has been more stale nonsense from a Conservative government out of touch and out of ideas.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged autumn statement 2023, david cameron, ed davey, housing, sarah olney, tory sleaze, Wales and wendy chamberlain | 1 Comment

Jane Dodds sets out Welsh Lib Dem priorities ahead of Autumn Statement

By Caron Lindsay | Wed 22nd November 2023 - 10:00 am

Yesterday, the Government doubled election campaign expense limits.

Today, they deliver an Autumn Statement which is expected to benefit their rich friends at the expense of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Funny, that.

Tax cuts for the rich, benefit cuts for the poor. It’s what they do, but it gets more and more sickening and causes so much more suffering every time they do it. The so called safety net barely exists any more.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has been setting out the priorities of the Party in Wales ahead of today’s Autumn Statement:

-Invest in our NHS, with a specific focus on providing funding for desperately needed dentistry services across Wales to cut down on waiting lists. Whilst also giving more school children access to preventative treatment through Design to Smile.

-Invest in our future by giving desperately needed funds to schools to tackle the school funding crisis so that they can help support children from low-income families to succeed and access vital resources.

-Invest in our economy by reducing business rates for small businesses through 2024-25.

-Support people with the cost of living by taking direct action in supporting people struggling to keep a roof over their head by providing further financial support.

The party lashed out at the UK Conservative party for their systematic mismanagement of the economy that has dragged Wales down , while simultaneously demonising those who need the most support by threatening to remove desperately needed services to the sick and vulnerable.

Jane said:

In the wake of the upcoming Autumn statement, we as a party have laid down what we want to see prioritised for Wales.

In a nutshell, we want to see investment. We want to see investment in our NHS, investment in our economy and an investment in our future.

Our NHS is in a dire state here in Wales, particularly in regard to our dentistry services. We must focus on providing funding for desperately needed dentistry services so that we can cut down on waiting lists.

We also need to invest in our economy by slashing rates for small businesses while at the same time ensuring that our schools are receiving funds that go directly to supporting children from low-income families.

Posted in News | Also tagged welsh liberal democrats | Leave a comment

21 November 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 21st November 2023 - 10:30 pm

Surfers against Sewage Report: “Shameful” that people are falling sick from swimming in sewage
400,000 patients waiting for NHS treatment since last Autumn Statement
Sexual harassment survey: Comment on BTP findings
Welsh Lib Dems urge speed up of Net Zero Plan
Welsh Lib Dems call more for ambitious clean air target
Welsh Lib Dems lay down their demands for Wales from upcoming Autumn statement

Surfers against Sewage Report: “Shameful” that people are falling sick from swimming in sewage

Responding to the Surfers Against Sewage report which has found bathing sites in the UK are failing to meet minimum safety levels, while hundreds of people are falling sick due to sewage pollution, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

It is shameful that so many popular swimming spots are being ruined and people are getting seriously ill because of filthy sewage dumping. Water companies are being allowed to get away with committing environmental vandalism on a huge scale while pocketing huge bonuses.

This is an insult to families across the country who just want to swim at their local river or beach without worrying about falling sick because of disgusting sewage. It’s about time Conservative ministers cracked down on sewage dumping, starting with banning bonuses for water company bosses until this filthy practice is brought to an end.

400,000 patients waiting for NHS treatment since last Autumn Statement

The NHS backlog has grown to 7.8 million since last year’s Autumn Statement, with almost 400,000 waiting for treatment since before November 2022

Liberal Democrat Leader calls on the Chancellor to bring down NHS waiting lists to get people back to work and boost economic growth

Ed Davey: “Any plan for economic growth needs a plan for urgent NHS action. Without a new NHS plan, tens of thousands of people will be left out of work, in pain, desperate for treatment.”

Nearly 400,000 patients have been on a waiting list to start NHS treatment since before last year’s Autumn Statement, research by the Liberal Democrats has been revealed.

This new analysis of NHS figures shows a staggering 391,122 patients have been stuck in a backlog waiting for consultant-led treatment since before last November’s Autumn Statement. Meanwhile, the number of patients stuck on NHS waiting lists has increased to 7.8 million, up 700,000 compared to last year.

It comes as new polling by the Liberal Democrats found that one in seven working age adults (15%) say they’ve had to take a significant length of time off work in the past year as they wait for NHS treatment or surgery for a health condition.

The Liberal Democrats are warning that these treatment backlogs are damaging economic growth and will continue to impact both the economy and people’s quality of life without a significant rescue package.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged autumn statement 2023, clean air, ed davey, net zero, NHS waiting lists, rob blackie, sewage dumping, sexual harassment and tim farron | Leave a comment

10 November 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 10th November 2023 - 10:45 pm

GDP Stats: On the no growth path
72 billion litres of sewage pumped into the River Thames in just two years
Welsh Lib Dem leader honours the fallen

GDP Stats: On the no growth path

Responding to the latest ONS figures which shows the UK economy stopped growing between July and September, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

Conservative chaos has delivered a hammer blow to our economy leading us down a no growth path.

Hard-working families shouldn’t be paying the price of the Conservative party’s economic vandalism.

The Autumn Statement should deliver a proper plan to grow the economy, fix our NHS and help with the cost-of-living crisis. Instead we’re set to see more of this Government’s failed approach.

72 billion litres of sewage pumped into the River Thames in just two years

Liberal Democrats uncover “horrifying revelations” from Information Request to Thames Water

Twickenham site suffers from almost 1 billion litres of sewage in just one day

Local Liberal Democrat MP slams “environmental crime” and demands Thames Water is “ripped up” to form new company

The River Thames has suffered from at least 72 billion litres of sewage discharges since 2020, the Liberal Democrats have discovered.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged economic growth, munira wilson, remembrance sunday, sarah olney and sewage dumping | Leave a comment

9 November 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 9th November 2023 - 10:55 pm

Sharp rise in mortgage arrears should “ring alarm bells in Downing Street”
NHS waiting lists: Sunak’s pledge lies in tatters
Welsh Lib Dem leader gives her reason for voting for Senedd Gaza ceasefire motion
Braverman: What on earth will it take for Sunak to do the right thing?

Sharp rise in mortgage arrears should “ring alarm bells in Downing Street”

There has been an 18% rise in homeowners in mortgage arrears over the past year, the latest UK Finance figures have revealed.

The data shows there were 87,930 homeowners in mortgage arrears worth at least 2.5% of their outstanding loan in the third quarter of 2023, up from 74,420 in the same period last year.

The Liberal Democrats said the figures show families are facing “mortgage misery” and reiterated their calls for a Mortgage Protection Fund, with targeted support to prevent people losing their home, funded through scrapping tax cuts for the banks.

Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

This sharp rise in mortgage arrears should be ringing alarm bells in Downing Street.

The Conservative Party crashed the economy and is now forcing ordinary families to pick up the tab.

Homeowners facing mortgage misery should be offered a rescue scheme, with targeted support to protect those most at risk of losing their home. It is the least this government could do after the economic damage they have caused.

NHS waiting lists: Sunak’s pledge lies in tatters

NHS waiting lists have reached a new record high of 7.8 million. It means that the waiting lists have grown every month since Rishi Sunak made his pledge in January that they would fall.

Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP said:

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged daisy cooper, ed davey, gaza, NHS waiting lists, sarah olney, suella braverman, support for mortgage interest and tory extremism | Leave a comment

Jane Dodds criticises lack of flood defences in Welsh village

By The Voice | Wed 25th October 2023 - 11:24 am

It’s awful to see such horrendous damage caused by Storm Babet from north east Scotland to Wales. But it’s particularly frustrating that some of it could have been avoided, as Welsh Lib Dem Leader Jane Dodds has observed.

Jane has expressed her concerns on the recent flooding in Trevalyn and the apparent misuse of flood defence equipment.

Extreme weather conditions brought on by Storm Babet over the weekend caused the nearby River Alyn to breach its banks, flooding the village located just North of Wrexham.

According to an article from BBC Wales, both Natural Resources Wales and residents stated that available flood defence equipment was, for some reason, not used.

Jane Dodds MS said:

I would like to express my thoughts and well-wishes to those affected by the flooding brought about by Storm Babet, particularly the residents of Trevalyn.
The fact that nearby flooding equipment wasn’t properly utilised is extremely concerning and I urge Natural Resources Wales to take urgent action.

Posted in News | Also tagged Wales | 1 Comment

24 May 2023 – today’s press release

By Mark Valladares | Wed 24th May 2023 - 11:32 pm

Jane Dodds challenges Mark Drakeford on sewage dumping

During First Ministers’ questions yesterday at the Senedd, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Mid & West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds challenged Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford over claims that Wales ‘is lucky’ Welsh Water is a non-profit.

Jane Dodds pointed out to the First Minister that although Dwr Cymru is non-profit is has still paid out excessively large bonuses for its executives in recent years on top of an already high base salary and that the Welsh Government should be given a stronger oversight to …

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged sewage dumping and Wales | 2 Comments

Mark Williams selected to fight Ceredigion for the Liberal Democrats

By The Voice | Fri 12th May 2023 - 4:22 pm

Ceredigion Liberal Democrats have reselected Mark Williams as Liberal Democrats for Ceredigion following a vote of local party members. Mark Williams was formerly the MP for Ceredigion from 2005- 2017 and was the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. He and his wife Helen, who runs the local Community Hwb, live in Borth with their four children.

Since 2017 Mark has resumed his teaching career and has remained active in a range of local voluntary organisations and charities.

Commenting on his selection, Mark Williams said:

I am delighted to once again be our candidate in my home constituency, the place where we live, where my children have grown up and thrived, and in which I passionately believe has so much potential.

Ceredigion is a wonderful place in which to live, but all too often is overlooked by UK Government Westminster and the Welsh Government in Cardiff Bay.

That is why Ceredigion needs a strong voice to champion it in Parliament and why I’m going to be working hard to win back the seat and put Ceredigion’s interests first. Standing up for local communities has always been the defining characteristic of the Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats’ commitment to internationalism, protecting our natural environment, standing up for carers and reforming our democracy are things I’m really looking forward to talking to residents about on the doorstep.

Posted in Selection news | Also tagged ceredigion, elizabeth evans and mark williams | 1 Comment

20 April 2022 -today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Thu 20th April 2023 - 10:45 pm

4.3 million anti-social behaviour reports go unattended by police in past five years
Lib Dems demand food summit in Downing Street to tackle “tsunami” of rising food prices
Welsh Health Statistics – Emergency Social Care Plan Needed
Raab Report: More dither and delay

4.3 million anti-social behaviour reports go unattended by police in past five years

Over 2,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour went unattended by police each day last year

Some police forces attending fewer than one in five (19%) incidents

Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey calls for “return to proper community policing” with more bobbies on the beat

A staggering 4.3 million reports of anti-social behaviour have …

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged ambulance services, anti-social behaviour, community policing, cost of living crisis, dominic raab, ed davey, tim farron, tory sleaze and wendy chamberlain | 1 Comment

18 April 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 18th April 2023 - 10:30 pm

ONS pay-squeeze figures: The Government simply doesn’t care
Rise in faulty sewage monitors as water firms accused of “covering up environmental scandal”
Prepayment meters: This half-measure is an insult
Lib Dems launch digital campaign on A to Z of Conservative sleaze and scandal
Calls For Welsh Labour to Take Stronger Action on Coal Mining Following Successful Lords Vote

ONS pay-squeeze figures: The Government simply doesn’t care

Responding to the latest ONS unemployment and earnings figures which saw average pay fall by 2.3% in the year to December 2022 to February 2023, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney said:

This is a damning verdict on the Government’s attempt to end the cost of living crisis.

Jeremy Hunt is the latest out of touch Conservative Chancellor to completely fail on rising prices.

The Conservative party’s gross mismanagement of the British economy has lead to inflation rising and growth plummeting. People need urgent help with rising food and energy bills, yet the Government simply doesn’t care.

Rise in faulty sewage monitors as water firms accused of “covering up environmental scandal”

Almost 2,300 sewage monitors found to be faulty – over one in six of all monitors

Number of sewage discharges potentially much higher than feared

Lib Dems accuse water companies of covering up environmental scandal by failing to fix monitors

New analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed water companies are failing to monitor hundreds of sewage discharges in coastlines and rivers.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged coal mining, cost of living crisis, prepayment meters, sarah olney, sewage dumping, tim farron, tory sleaze, wendy chamberlain and wera hobhouse | 3 Comments

17 April 2023 – today’s press releases (fersiwn Cymraeg)

By Mark Valladares | Mon 17th April 2023 - 10:45 pm

Lib Dems Welcome Bannau Brycheiniog Name Change
Any Plans for Cardiff Congestion Charge Should be Put to a Referendum

Lib Dems Welcome Bannau Brycheiniog Name Change

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcome the change of name for the Brecon Beacons Nation Park to its original Welsh name Bannau Brycheiniog stating that it is a positive move to use the history of the region to help build a successful future for the Park.

Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Mid & West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds said:

It’s great to see the re-introduction of the name Bannau Brycheiniog today. The message put forward by the

…

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged Bannau Brycheiniog, cardiff, congestion charging, james gibson-watt and rodney berman | 25 Comments

3 April 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Mon 3rd April 2023 - 11:00 pm

Welsh rivers some of the most sewage filled in the UK
Water Plan: Taking the public for fools by re-announcing a policy from years ago

Welsh rivers some of the most sewage filled in the UK

An analysis of the sewage dumping statistics released by Welsh Water/Dŵr Cymru has revealed Wales’ rivers are some of the most sewage filled in the entire UK. The stats have sparked an angry response from the Welsh Liberal Democrats who have accused both Labour and the Conservatives of not doing enough to tackle the problem.

The latest figures show sewage was dumped in Welsh rivers 83,000 times …

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged sewage dumping, tim farron and Wales | Leave a comment

28 March 2023 – today’s press releases (Welsh Edition)

By Mark Valladares | Tue 28th March 2023 - 11:45 pm

Welsh Liberal Democrats Launch Plan to Save NHS Dentistry in Wales
Interest Rate Rise Signals More Pain for Homeowners in Powys

Welsh Liberal Democrats Launch Plan to Save NHS Dentistry in Wales

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have launched their plans to save NHS dentistry in Wales, warning that unless the Welsh Labour Government takes action now NHS dentistry risks going extinct.

The Party have accused Labour Ministers in Cardiff Bay of utterly failing to get to grips with the problem, allowing an appalling two-tier system of dentistry in Wales to flourish whereby if you can afford it you go private, but those who can’t are left waiting in agony for months and sometimes years.

Talking to her party Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds outlined that using her influence to fix NHS dentistry is one of her top priorities in the Senedd.

A previous FOI by the Welsh Liberal Democrats showed that over 800 children in Powys were waiting for an NHS dentist while in Cardiff the waiting list for children and adults is over 15,000 people. Other health boards do not operate centralised waiting lists which the Liberal Democrats state is a problem in itself.

Among the proposed actions laid out in the report, which was produced with industry professionals include:

Resolving outstanding contract issues as a priority
Integrating primary dental care more closely with other NHS primary care, especially to ensure that services are available in remote and rural areas
Increasing per-capita spending from the current £47 to match the levels of Scotland (£55) and Northern Ireland (£57)
Setting targets for Health Boards in terms of numbers of, and waiting times for, appointments, empowering them to use salaried staff to achieve those targets as well as entering into agreements with private sector providers
Setting up set up a national waiting list system to ensure that the process of getting an appointment is more efficient, and that fewer appointments are lost

Posted in News, Press releases and Wales | Also tagged david chadwick, inflation, mortgages and NHS dentistry | Leave a comment

Ramadan Mubarak to all who are observing the month of fasting

By The Voice | Thu 23rd March 2023 - 6:55 am

The Holy Month of Ramadan is underway, and we would like to wish everyone who is observing it Ramadan Mubarak.

Senior Lib Dems have expressed their good wishes:

Wishing all those observing this holy month in the UK and around the world a healthy and blessed Ramadan.#RamadanMubarak pic.twitter.com/43SApjGrOq

— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) March 22, 2023

To all those observing Ramadan in Kingston, across the UK and around the world, I wish you and your family a peaceful and blessed month ahead. Ramadan Kareem.

— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) March 22, 2023

It will be wonderful to see many Muslims observing this blessed, spiritual month by visiting their local mosques and seeing family and friends for evening iftars.

Wishing everyone in London and the rest of the UK, Ramadan Mubarak, from my family to yours. pic.twitter.com/UdtSGGKJvB

— Hina Bokhari AM 🔶 (@HinaBokhariLD) March 22, 2023

Posted in News | Also tagged ed davey, hina bokhari and ramadan | Leave a comment

17-19 March 2023 – the Conference weekend press releases (part 1)

By Mark Valladares | Mon 20th March 2023 - 1:20 pm

Steve Brine must step down from Health Select Committee
‘Show Sunak the door’ – Lib Dems update by-election door as victory props take centre stage in blue wall rally
Welsh Conservative MPs should “hang their heads in shame” over rail funding

Steve Brine must step down from Health Select Committee

Responding to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner launching an investigation into Steve Brine over allegations of inproper lobbying of the NHS, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

Steve Brine should immediately step down from the Health Select Committee whilst this investigation takes places. It is absurd for an MP who may have wrongly

…

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged daisy cooper, ed davey, HS2, Sarah Dyke, tory sleaze and Wales | 2 Comments

14 March 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Tue 14th March 2023 - 10:30 pm

ONS economy stats: Tomorrow is judgement day for Jeremy Hunt
Braverman must apologise to women and girls for police dropping complaints
Conservative MPs must back amendments to ban child detention
Budget is “judgement day” for Chancellor on cost of living crisis
Jane Dodds responds to Health Minister statement on Dental Reform

ONS economy stats: Tomorrow is judgement day for Jeremy Hunt

Responding to this morning’s ONS earnings and employment figures, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney said:

Tomorrow is judgement day for Jeremy Hunt. He must finally end the cost of living crisis and the endless pay squeeze which is crippling families across the country.

The revolving door of Conservative Chancellors in recent years have all failed at keeping prices down. Jeremy Hunt can take action tomorrow and cut energy bills by £500, by introducing a proper windfall tax on the bumper profits of oil and gas firms. They are raking in billions off the back of higher energy bills and the public won’t stomach it any longer.

Braverman must apologise to women and girls for police dropping complaints

Responding to the figures that show police forces drop most complaints of officer violence against women, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip and former Police Officer, Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

These statistics tell us what millions of women and girls already know. Across the country, they look to the police to protect them and ultimately the buck stops with the Home Office to fix this crisis.

Violence against women and girls has no place in our society, not least in the police forces that are meant to keep us all safe.

We need swift action from Suella Braverman, including a promise to tighten vetting and investigation regulations. But first, she needs to apologise for the Government and police forces letting women and girls across the country down.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged Alistair Carmichael, budget 2023, child detention, dentistry, sarah olney, violence against women and girls, Wales and wendy chamberlain | 2 Comments

10 March 2023 – today’s press releases

By Mark Valladares | Fri 10th March 2023 - 10:30 pm

ONS: Economy still suffering consequences of Conservatives
BP boss pay doubles: Sunak must bring in bonus tax now
Lineker: Today is a reminder that we need a properly independent BBC
Lee Waters must apologise to Welsh nurses

ONS: Economy still suffering consequences of Conservatives

Responding to the latest ONS GDP figures from January 2023, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

These disappointing figures are yet another reminder that our economy is suffering under this Conservative Government, and people are feeling this under-performance in their own pockets.

The Conservative party has broken this country’s economy with record energy bills, rising food prices and soaring mortgage costs. Yet they are completely out of touch with people’s worries.

The Chancellor needs to take action in next week’s Budget by cutting people’s energy bills by £500, and putting in place a proper plan to get our economy growing fairly and sustainably.

BP boss pay doubles: Sunak must bring in bonus tax now

The Liberal Democrats have demanded that the government bring in a tax on the bonuses of oil and gas company bosses, following the news that the chief executive of BP’s pay doubled to £10m.

Posted in News and Press releases | Also tagged ed davey, freedom of expression, gary lineker, jamie stone, nurses, sarah olney, uk economy, Wales and windfall tax | 1 Comment

Op-eds

The Brexit Referendum – 10 years on (Callum Robertson)
One year on, and I’m still finding it hard to feel pride (Rebecca Jones)
Andy Burnham’s housing challenge: Why his own arguments demand more than Labour’s current plans (Iain Donaldson)
ALDC’s by-election report – 18th June (Joe Nutt)
Mathew on Monday: Starmer’s resignation and an increasingly ungovernable country (Mathew Hulbert)

Advert

Actually, this Summer of Strategy could be quite good…

Josh Babarinde writes…The Lib Dem Summer of Strategy

Alison Suttie writes: Thank you to our volunteers

What’s going on with party strategy?

Tag Archives: jane dodds

26 February 2024 – today’s press releases

Lib Dems launch rescue plan for farmers

8 February 2024 – today’s press releases (part 2)

7 February 2024 – today’s press releases

6 February 2024 – today’s press releases

23 January 2024 – today’s press releases

19 January 2024 – today’s press releases

18 January 2024 – today’s press releases

11 January 2024 – today’s press releases

10 January 2024 – today’s Welsh press releases

9 January 2024 – today’s Welsh press releases

8 January 2024 – today’s press releases

23 November 2023 – today’s press releases

22 November 2023 – today’s press releases

Jane Dodds sets out Welsh Lib Dem priorities ahead of Autumn Statement

21 November 2023 – today’s press releases

10 November 2023 – today’s press releases

9 November 2023 – today’s press releases

Jane Dodds criticises lack of flood defences in Welsh village

24 May 2023 – today’s press release

Mark Williams selected to fight Ceredigion for the Liberal Democrats

18 April 2023 – today’s press releases

17 April 2023 – today’s press releases (fersiwn Cymraeg)

3 April 2023 – today’s press releases

28 March 2023 – today’s press releases (Welsh Edition)

Ramadan Mubarak to all who are observing the month of fasting

17-19 March 2023 – the Conference weekend press releases (part 1)

14 March 2023 – today’s press releases

10 March 2023 – today’s press releases

Most Read

Op-eds

Recent Comments

Actually, this Summer of Strategy could be quite good…

Josh Babarinde writes…The Lib Dem Summer of Strategy

Alison Suttie writes: Thank you to our volunteers

What’s going on with party strategy?

Tag Archives: jane dodds

Subscribe

Most Read

Search

Op-eds

Recent Comments