Welsh Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Jenny Randerson, AM for Cardiff Central, said: “We will establish an action group to Clean & Green the NHS – saving the planet, saving lives and saving money which can be invested in front line services.

“Our ‘Clean & Green’ strategy will cover issues such as increasing energy efficiency, promoting recycling opportunities, tackling MRSA and other infections, and on-site renewable micro-generation.

“We will examine ways of making ward structures less dormitory, with more emphasis on single rooms and improved ways of tackling infections. “Welsh Liberal Democrats are serious about making the Green Switch in all aspects of public life. A greener NHS can also be a better NHS for patients.”

“Our rail and bus stations all too-often don’t make the grade. The can create a terrible first impression of a town for commuters, businesspeople and tourists. We need them to be cleaner, safer and provide easy access for the next part of the journey.

“We need the government to invest in creating safe and friendly train and bus stations. We will do this by prioritising safety and disabled access, better lighting, CCTV and electronic information.

“Railway stations can also play a vital role as community gateways, providing information on local attractions, activities and facilities. Some do this well, but I would like them all to reach the same standards.”

Official statistics reveal hundreds of Welsh patients are still waiting to be transferred to the next stage of their treatment.  Welsh Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Jenny Randerson said:

"Bed blocking is adding to the pressure placed on Welsh hospitals and ambulance services.  These figures show 689 patients were waiting to move on to the next stage of their care at the end of January, whether in hospitals or in their own homes. 

"That is a 7% increase from December, and an increase of thirty from January last year.  The problem isn't getting better. 

"Today I have tabled an urgent question to the Minister on the recent bed blocking problems at the Royal Glamorgan hospital. 

"The Minister promised to work a day a week to tackle waiting times.  Bed blocking means more hospitals are under strain because they can't meet demand.   

"The knock-on effect is that ambulances have to queue to drop off patients, affecting vital emergency services.  Up to seven ambulances were queuing outside Royal Glamorgan hospital last Monday. 

"Brian Gibbons claimed bed-blocking and ambulances waiting at hospitals during the recent snowfall was a 'unique' situation and would not occur again.  Yet only a few later we have another crisis - without any snow to blame it on this time. 

"The Minister is running out of time and running out of excuses.'

Notes/Nodiadau:

Figure of 689 people experiencing a delayed transfer of care  on 17^th Jan 2007 is made up of 187 delayed in mental health facilities and 502 in acute or community hospitals

Statistics available at: http://www.wales.gov.uk/keypubstatisticsforwales/index.htm

Ends/Diwedd

WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DEMOCRATIAID RHYDDFRYDOL CYMRU

Trust in Wales Ymddiried yng Nghymru
WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DEMOCRATIAID RHYDDFRYDOL CYMRU

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams has welcomed his opportunity to meet with young farmers from Ceredigion this week.

The NFU this week hosted a reception at their London office for young farmers to meet with MPs to discuss the issues facing farming today and in the future. The Wales YFC Rural Affairs Committee, which looks at all of the issues affecting young people in Rural Wales, spent the day visiting the Houses of Parliament before attending the reception.

Commenting, Mark Williams, who attended the event, said:

“I was delighted to be able to meet the future of Wales’s farming community and I hope they found this meeting as useful as I did. I represent many farmers at Westminster, and it is always a pleasure for me to be able to discuss the issues that are of concern to them.

“Agriculture faces great challenges both now and in the future, and it is important that farmers are able to make their voices heard to their elected representatives. Equally, I hope that meeting with MPs has assured them that there are many of us who are looking to engage with them, and put forward any concerns they have. I’m afraid to say that rural issues are often not taken as seriously as they should be by politicians in Cardiff and London. This is why it is vital that those of us that represent rural constituencies continue to speak up on these matters.

“I greatly look forward to the opportunities I will no doubt have to meet with farmers from across Wales again in the future, and as Member of Parliament for Ceredigion I will do my level best to ensure that, as an integral part of the rural way of life, the interests of agriculture are well-represented at Westminster.”

Warnings were given to the Welsh Assembly Government nearly a year ago that many schools and Local Education Authorities were not following the correct procedures in insisting on criminal record bureau checks for non-teaching staff, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, Peter Black, has said.

Mr. Black was speaking following revelations that up to 80 people working in Powys schools have not been cleared to work with children. However, an Estyn report published in May 2006 had already identified this as an issue across Wales and had clear recommendations on how to address it.

In a survey of 28 schools spread across all 22 Welsh local education authorities, only 11 confirmed that they vet all adults who have access to children. Most of the remaining schools reported that visitors, including parent helpers, are not left on their own with children. However, schools where outside contractors provide catering and cleaning services were found to be uncertain as to whether the staff concerned had CRB clearance or not.

Only three of the schools spoken to confirmed that members of their governing body had CRB clearance, although six LEAs reported that all their school governors have done so. Seven other LEAs stated that their school governors have not obtained CRB clearance. Estyn concluded that there was a need for greater clarity and consistency in relation to vetting procedures for school governors, non-teaching staff, visitors to schools and other adults who have access to children.

Commenting on the Powys situation, Mr. Black said: “I am shocked that nine months after a report of this nature was published, and after the Education Minister took up the concerns raised by it with schools, that we still have a situation where adults can work with children in a school-setting, without being checked.”

“Although the Minister took up the issues raised by Estyn following the publication of their report, it seems that both the Assembly Government and local education authorities have taken their eye off the ball since. There should have been a vigorous hands-on follow-up of the actions being taken as a result of Estyn’s intervention, involving further surveys and inspections. There should have been a requirement for LEAs to report back to the Minister on how they were addressing these issues and proper monitoring of the effectiveness of any new procedures. Instead the report appears to have been shelved following the initial response to it, whilst a number of schools and LEAs seem to be still unclear as to all of their responsibilities in regards to child protection in schools.”

“The Minister must now learn the lessons of what has happened in Powys and seek immediate and verifiable assurances from all schools that proper procedures are being followed. I welcome the legislation that is being introduced in March to make enhanced CRB checks and other pre-appointment checks mandatory across the school workforce, but these processes should already be in place as good practice and the Minister should have been actively promoting them.”

Commenting, Eleanor Burnham Am and Mark Young , N.Wales Liberal Democrats, said:

“These figures are deeply worrying. Five years ago, North Wales had the lowest level of gun crime in Wales, one of the lowest in the UK. Since then, gun crime levels having risen fourteen fold making it the most at risk area of Wales from firearm offences.

“While the rest of Wales has seen the number of firearm offences come down in recent years, in North Wales, it has continually increased. Gun crime in North Wales is more common than in police force areas that include Newcastle, Hull, Bristol and Southampton.

“The Government needs to respond carefully to this rising level of gun crime in North Wales and in many other areas of the UK. This must begin with the completion of the National Gun Register. It is utterly appalling that, almost 11 years after Dunblane and 10 years after the National Firearms Act was passed, it is still not up and running.

“Fear of being caught is the greatest deterrent to crime and this means more bobbies on the beat. But in the last 6 months alone, North Wales Police has seen its force numbers cut by nearly 50 – the largest cut of any police force in the UK – and the Government has already left Wales 430 Community Support Officers short of its original target.

“We need to boost police numbers and setup specialised, dedicated police, community and youth worker cells across the country that work to intervene early, targeting vulnerable individuals before they turn to a life of crime. Pilot projects like this have had real success in cutting crime.

“Knee-jerk reactions like lowering the age that the mandatory 5 year sentence for firearm offences applies will not help. Judges should set sentences based on the individual circumstances of each case and the limited use of plea-bargaining may be necessary for the police to gather solid intelligence.”

Commenting on today’s DTI written statement accepting that the consultation process on nuclear power that preceded the publication of the Energy Review report was not adequate, Mark Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Ceredigion, said:

“The Government tried to swat aside the public and bulldoze through their decision to build new nuclear power stations. But they have been sharply and firmly slapped down.

“Today we have seen a grumpy Government admit that information relating to nuclear power was held back last year and grudgingly accept the need to undertake a proper consultation exercise. And it serves them right.

“If the Government had had its way, Wales could have been set on an irreversible course to have a new nuclear power station. It is now vital that the decision on nuclear power is based on complete and open information.

“The full economic and environmental costs, as well as the security risk, must be taken into account. Without this, the new consultation will be, not only another huge waste of time and money, but yet another example of this Government bypassing public opinion in Wales and across the UK.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Michael German said: “People have a fundamental right to feel safe in their own community, and we will tackle anti-social behaviour through Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, as pioneered by Liberal Democrat-led councils.

“Acceptable Behaviour Contracts are agreed between the individual, their family, the police, local authority and if relevant, the local housing association. The contracts spell our behaviour that individuals agree not to engage in.

“Where individuals fail to co-operate, or breach an ABC, it can be used to apply an ASBO on an individual. In the most serious cases, breaches can result in eviction from social housing.

“Too many people are frightened to go out in their own towns and villages. They are put off by the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour, and I want this to change. Our proposals for effective action show how we can cut crime in Wales.

“Pride in our communities is at the heart of the Welsh Liberal Democrat approach to politics. Making sure that we have safe, secure communities is a vital part of that.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German has said the next Assembly must make a real difference to people's lives in North Wales, following a series of visits in the area.

Mr German, and local AM Eleanor Burnham visited the Sharp factory and an ambulance station in Wrexham before addressing a dinner in Arfon. They were also joined by Wrexham candidate Bruce Roberts, and Clwyd South candidate Frank Biggs.

Mr German said: "People in North Wales do not believe they have seen the best of what the Assembly has to offer, and from what I've seen, I have to say I agree.

"The Sharp plant is Europe's largest manufacturer of photo-voltaic cells, yet most of their output goes to Germany, because our government are not doing enough to encourage people to use this technology at home. Here we have a world leader in green energy - in Wales - but we do not have a government with the political will to make the most of it. Wales deserves better than that.

"My party wants to put Wales at the forefront of the Green Revolution, because we believe that investing in new energy technologies will be good for jobs. Scotland already has a green jobs strategy, but the Labour Government in Wales has consistently refused our calls to do the same.

Eleanor Burnham added: "Our ambulance services are a crucial part of the health service, and their ability to respond in emergencies is a matter of life or death. That's why we're campaigning for the extra investment the service needs to get the job done in the coming years. We also need to sort out the links with hospitals as too many ambulances are being delayed as they drop off patients, because hospitals are not ready to take them."

In a speech to members in Arfon, Mr German called for stronger links between North West Wales and the booming economy of Dublin.

He said: "In Dublin we have one of Europe's fastest growing economies.We need to look more imaginatively at how we can spread the benefits of that across the Irish Sea to North West Wales."

Ceredigion’s Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams is looking forward to the return of last year’s highly successful Welsh Week in the Palace of Westminster.

From next Monday onwards, House of Commons Dining Rooms will be serving a selection of Welsh cheeses to members and their guests. The week culminates with St David’s Day on Thursday, where Commons restaurants will be celebrating in style, offering traditional Welsh dishes to customers. In addition, this year the Commons Stranger’s Bar will be hosting the Breconshire Brewery’s Golden Valley Ale all week.

Mark Williams wrote to Commons authorities to instigate the event last year. After the success of the 2006 Welsh Week, Mr Williams wrote again to request that Welsh Week be made an annual event, to coincide with St David’s Day. He has also tabled a Parliamentary Motion welcoming Welsh Week at Westminster’s second year.

Commenting, Mark Williams said:

“I am delighted that, for the second year running, the Commons Authorities have agreed to hold this showcase event. It is a fantastic opportunity for MPs, visitors, staff and press to experience some of the best food that Wales has to offer.

“Last year the event was extremely popular. Restaurant staff told me that the cheeseboards were often empty by the end of the evening. I am sure that this year’s new addition, the Golden Valley Ale from Breconshire Brewery, will go down equally well.

“ UKTV’s Local Food Heroes Report put Ceredigion and Powys at the top of the list of UK destinations for good quality food, yet Welsh produce remains a well-kept secret. I hope more people will come to Wales to enjoy our food and drink, support our food producers, and experience Wales’ beautiful countryside at the same time”.

Commenting on today’s Government statement on the High Court ruling that the Government acted unlawfully in ignoring the Ombudsman’s findings on lost occupational pensions, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said:

“John Hutton’s response to the court ruling is frustrating and will cause more anger amongst pensioners. The Government are saying that they are still thinking of appealing against the court judgement even though the judge was clear that on the main issue the Government doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

“Failure to accept the umpire’s decision is not an appealing characteristic for sportsmen, and is even less so for a government minister after years of delay.

“The Government now spends more money maintaining John Prescott’s office each year than they have paid out to ASW workers and over 100,000 others who lost their hard-earned pensions. This is an absolute insult.

“The Government’s farcical Financial Assistance Scheme has only paid out £2.4 million to 900 people – less than £2,700 each.

“I hope that the House of Commons will impose a fair compensation settlement on the Government if no solution has been offered by John Hutton before the Report Stage of the Pensions Bill in late March. The Public Administration Select Committee, of which I am a member, has today tabled a cross-party amendment to ensure this happens.”

Today, at Prime Minister’s Questions, Tony Blair confirmed that any Labour Government or Executive would commit itself to the Barnett Formula. This formula distributes a woefully inadequate sum of money to Wales from Central Government relative to the needs of Wales.

Commenting after Prime Minister’s Questions, Lembit Öpik, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

“Wales has long suffered from inadequate funding from Central Government. Unfortunately, after today, it seems that both the Tories and Labour are permanently committed to a formula that ensures that Wales does not get the funding it needs and deserves.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats would scrap the Barnett formula. We’d replace it with a better funding system which gives Wales a financial settlement based logically on Welsh needs, not a random formula so out of date that even its inventor - Lord Barnett, thinks it should be replaced!

“Only a new way to work out the funding will provide the amount of money which is in line with Wales’ economic and social requirements.”

Today the Judge in the High Court battle over the Occupational Pensions Saga ruled that the Government must go back and look again at whether it should offer compensation to almost 1,000 former ASW workers and over 100,000 others who were left with little or no pension after their companies went bust.

Commenting, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central and member of the Public Administration Select Committee, said:

“This is fantastic news. The ASW workers' fight for justice has been a long slog taking them to Westminster, Brussels and now to the High Court , and they have proved their case every single time.

“The Government has been a lonely stubborn voice refusing to agree, desperately trying to derail the process at every turn and mislead people even further in this whole sordid affair.

“The Government must accept that there is no wiggle room left for them and arrange for proper compensation for all those who have lost their hard earned pensions through no fault of their own.

“If the Government refuses to act now, Parliament must respond by amending the Pensions Bill going through Parliament so that justice is done for ASW workers and the many others who are still suffering."

Patchy Brachytherapy Provision not good enough for North Wales patients - Burnham

4.36.17pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Feb 2007

Eleanor Burnham AM has slammed the Labour Welsh Assembly Government for its shoddy treatment of prostate cancer patients across North Wales.

Following the revelation earlier this year that Wales had no brachytherapy provision for suitable patients whatsoever, a service is now due to be offered at Velindre Hospital, Cardiff from April. However, this means North Wales patients requiring brachytherapy will have to travel approximately 200 miles for single day treatment, when the same treatment available in Manchester would half the distance for patients.

Eleanor Burnham said: "I am disgusted that the Labour Assembly Government expects those patients needing treatment in North Wales to travel all the way to Cardiff when they could access services closer to home in Liverpool or Manchester.

"As usual we are seeing a complete lack of consideration of people's real needs. Why should the government expect patients to get from North to South for treatment when brachytherapy is available just across the border?

"The Minister has at least agreed in his statement announcing the Velindre service that North Wales patients will be reimbursed for the cost of travelling to Cardiff. Despite the fact that it really seems obvious that less distance to travel would mean less of these extra costs, I hope that this commitment from the government can be put into practice as soon as the service is up and running.

"Brachytherapy would make a massive difference to a number of cancer patients across Wales, and yet the ways and means of getting the treatment are going to be much harder for North Wales patients thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government's muddled approach to provision."

Ends/diwedd

Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Jenny Randerson, AM for Cardiff Central, said: “Welsh Liberal Democrats will employ salaried dentists to do school check-ups and focus on dental health and prevention at primary school level and at playgroups and nurseries, building on the Community Dental Service in Communities First Areas.

“For too long now, the dental services in Wales have been at crisis point. By focusing now on the health of children, we can ease pressures on the service in the long term.

“By tackling the teeth of children in schools, we can focus on dental health and prevention for children. Research shows getting young children into the habit of brushing their teeth early in life improves their long-term health.

“Labour’s new dental contract has not solved the problem of the shortage of NHS dental services in Wales. But by tackling oral health in our children, we can help prevent long-term health problems and put a smile back on the face of the nation.”

Commenting on the publication of a report on council housing today [Tuesday], Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice spokesperson Mick Bates said:

“I look forward to reading the report in depth, but I am concerned that the need to build more council houses may have been overlooked.

“Building more council houses is the way to tackle the current affordable housing crisis in this country. This can be done by encouraging communities to build their own houses through Community Land Trusts. It can also be achieved by suspending the right to buy in areas where there is high demand for housing.

“I am concerned about the suggestion that council rents could be means tested. This will either deter people from working or divide neighbourhoods, instead of integrating communities.

“Labour's failure to build enough social housing has left a legacy of long waiting lists which are at the root of this problem, and the only answer is to address the high demand for housing we face in some parts of Wales

Pick of the Day  Dewis y Dydd

We would develop a national scheme for youth volunteering

Contact/Cyswllt: Marie Concannon- 02920 898426
Embargo: 00:01 February 22, 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat Deputy Education spokesperson Tudor Jones said: "I want to see young people in Wales getting the best possible start for life and employment in the 21^st century.  This means not only the best education, but involving them in their local community and giving them opportunities to contribute. 

"A national scheme for youth volunteering would promote and co-ordinate opportunities for volunteering work across the country. 

"Young people would be given clear opportunities to become more involved in charitable and community work, developing valuable skills for working and living in 21^st century Wales. 

"One national scheme would be a gateway to work with the Prince's Trust, the National Trust, Community Service Volunteers or the small local charity that needs someone to help out once a week. 

"Welsh Liberal Democrats believe in social responsibility, but this scheme is about more than that.  It's about ensuring every young person in Wales has access to opportunities to contribute to their community and gain useful life skills and knowledge. 

"Whilst others demonise and talk our young people down, I want to talk their potential up.  Our young people can have a positive impact in our communities, and gain new skills through a national scheme for youth volunteering."

Notes/Nodiadau:

Welsh Liberal Democrats are picking a different reason to vote for them at the Welsh General Election five times a week from Jan 1. The reasons are drawn from their emerging programme for government.

The trend in recent elections have been for the traditional parties to spin their messages as three this, and five that. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a full programme for government comprising over 100 ideas to make a healthier, wealthier and wiser Wales.

Ends/Diwedd  

Printed, Published and Promoted by Stephen Smith on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, all at 102 Bute Street, Cardiff, CF10 5AD

 Pick of the Day  Dewis y Dydd  

Buasem yn datblygu cynllun cenedlaethol i ieuenctid wirfoddoli

Contact/Cyswllt: Marie Concannon- 02920 898426
Embargo: 00:01 Chwefror 22, 2007

Dywedodd Dirprwy Lefarydd Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru ar Addysg Tudor Jones: "Yr wyf eisiau gweld pobl ifainc yng Nghymru yn cael y dechrau gorau posibl ar gyfer bywyd a chyflogaeth yn yr 21^ain ganrif.  Nid dim ond yr addysg orau y mae hyn yn ei olygu, ond rhoi ymwneud iddynt yn eu cymuned leol a rhoi cyfleoedd iddynt gyfrannu. 

"Buasai cynllun cenedlaethol i ieuenctid wirfoddoli yn hyrwyddo a chydlynu cyfleoedd ar gyfer gwaith gwirfoddol ar draws y wlad. 

"Buasai cyfleoedd eglur yn cael eu rhoi i bobl ifainc y gael mwy o ymwneud â gwaith elusennol a chymunedol, gan ddatblygu medrau gwerthfawr ar gyfer gweithio a byw yng Nghymru yn yr 21^ain ganrif. 

"Buasai un cynllun cenedlaethol yn fynedfa i waith gydag Ymddiriedolaeth y Tywysog, yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol, Gwirfoddolwyr Gwasanaeth Cymunedol neu'r elusen fach leol sydd eisiau rhywun i ddod i'w helpu un waith yr wythnos. 

"Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn credu mewn cyfrifoldeb cymdeithasol, ond mae'r cynllun hwn yn ymwneud â mwy na hynny. Mae'n ymwneud â sicrhau bod gan pob person ifanc yng Nghymru fynediad i gyfleoedd sy'n cyfrannu i'w cymuned a'u bod yn caffael medrau bywyd a gwybodaeth ddefnyddiol. 

"Tra bod eraill yn demoneiddio a siarad yn ddrwg am ein pobl ifainc, yr wyf i eisiau dweud gair da am eu potensial. Gall ein pobl ifainc gael effaith gadarnhaol yn ein cymunedau, a chael medrau newydd trwy gynllun cenedlaethol i ieuenctid wirfoddoli."

Notes/Nodiadau:

Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn dewis rheswm gwahanol dros bleidleisio drostynt yn Etholiad Cyffredinol Cymru bum gwaith yr wythnos o Ionawr 1. Daw'r rhesymau o'u rhaglen ymddangosol ar gyfer llywodraethu. 

Y tueddiad mewn etholiadau yn ddiweddar yw i'r pleidiau traddodiadol sbinio eu negeseuon fel tri o hwn a phump o hwnna. Mae gan Ddemocratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru raglen lawn ar gyfer llywodraeth sy'n cynnwys dros 100 o syniadau ar gyfer gwneud Cymru iachach, gyfoethocach a doethach.

Ends/Diwedd

Argraffwyd, Cyhoeddwyd a Hyrwyddwyd gan Stephen Smith ar ran Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru, yr oll yng 102 Stryd Biwt, Caerdydd. CF10 5AD

Gareth Price
Head of Assembly Group Office - Pennaeth y swyddfa Grwp Cynulliad
Welsh Liberal Democrats - Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
029 2089 8426
07976 898285
Gareth.price1@wales.gov.uk

Vale of Clwyd Assembly Candidate CLLR Mark Young & Mark Williams MP today criticised the Government for failing to consult with Wales’ Post Offices on plans to close 2,500 Post Offices nationwide.

The consultation document was published in December, but with only two weeks to go before the consultation closes, Post Offices in Wales still haven’t received a copy of the document, despite being warned of the problem two weeks ago in a meeting by Welsh Liberal Democrats and Subpostmasters from Wales.

In response to Mark Williams’ question, the Minister said he was “awaiting a response on the distribution of that document” from the DTI.

Commenting, Mr Williams said:

“What sort of a consultation is it when those who stand to lose the most from these proposals aren’t kept informed?

“The Minister’s response was not acceptable. He knows that the consultation ends in two weeks time, and yet he is still waiting for a response. We raised these concerns with him in a meeting a fortnight ago – sadly, this is a case of too little too late.