Welsh Liberal Democrat News http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/ Welsh Liberal Democrats latest news - updates from members of Parliament and the Welsh Assembly on issues affecting Wales. Published by Welsh Liberal Democrats, Bayview House, Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5AD. Phone 029 2031 3400. en-gb Copyright Welsh Liberal Democrats. All Rights Reserved. Mon, 12 May 2008 03:22:01 +0100 Politics 20 Labour must do more to close wealth gap http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3095 The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called upon the Labour/Plaid Government in Cardiff to do more to close the wealth gap between Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Cost cutting on ID cards will undermine security says Assembly Member http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3096 Proposals by the UK Labour Government to reduce the cost of their controversial ID card scheme could well reduce security and lead to widespread abuse of the cards, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice Spokesperson, Peter Black has alleged. Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Inspection changes would kill off small abattoirs - Williams http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3091 Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Roger Williams MP has today warned that proposed changes to the meat inspection regime could leave small abattoirs in Wales struggling to cover their costs. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Government should follow Welsh Lib Dem lead to tackle Japanese Knotweed http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3092 Commenting on news that problems with Japanese Knotweed in Swansea could be dealt with by introducing Japanese jumping lice, recently elected Merthyr Cllr Amy Kitcher said: "Welsh Liberal Democrats are the only party with a formal policy on Japanese knotweed, since our conference in Autumn 2006. The policy called for the safe introduction of co-evolved biological control agents for management of Japanese Knotweed and urged the government to work with local authorities to appoint a lead officer to tackle the issue. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Report finds rural poverty behind closed doors http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3094 Rural Poverty and social exclusion "cannot be denied" according to a new report from 'Children in Wales'. The report's title "Families not areas suffer rural disadvantage" highlights the organisation's findings that pockets of deprivation are often hidden amongst more affluent areas in rural Wales. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Minister yet again failing children and young people. http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3087 Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for children and young people, today voiced her strong concern over the Minister for Children's lack of drive to improve advocacy services for children and young people. Responding to a committee's recommendations to guarantee independence of advocacy provision, Jane Hutt said that the Advocacy Unit set up within the WAG would be independent enough to guarantee the committee's main concern. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Decline in public toilets is quality of life issue http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3088 Welsh Liberal Democrats today called for improved provisions for public toilets after figures reveal a dramatic fall in the number over the last ten years. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Foundation Phase - £5mill not enough - Williams http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3089 In a statement today the Minister for Education has announced an additional £5 million for the Foundation Phase. The Welsh Liberal Democrats warn that this will still fall short of the money needed to fully implement the scheme across Wales. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Welsh Asthma services struggling to breathe - Randerson http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3090 Welsh Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health Jenny Randerson AM today challenged the Health Minister to urgently address the massive variations in services for asthma sufferers across Wales. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 ID cards an enormous waste of money – Willott http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/e-newsroom_detail.php?newsNo=3080 Commenting on the latest revision in the estimated costs of the ID card scheme, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said: "Nearly £5bn of taxpayers' money will be squandered on this ID cards scheme that will not help fight identify fraud, illegal working, crime or terrorism. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100