The Conservative government’s stealth tax raid will cost the average family in Wales £370 a year by 2026, or a total of £500 million, research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the UK Government to act immediately to prevent the potential expansion of the Aberpergwm Coal Mine in the Neath Valley.

Powys Liberal Democrats have accused the Powys Conservative council group of descending into chaos over its school closure programme. The accusation comes after the Conservative group lost both cabinet member and councillor Iain McIntosh; Cllr Mark Barnes, Cllr (also MS) James Evans in shock resignations over the Administrations school closures, tax rises and other issues. The events have left the Conservative group on 12 councillors, meaning the Welsh Liberal Democrats are now the largest political party (and second largest group) in the council with 14 councillors.

Powys Council as of January 10, 2022 (The ruling administration is an Independent-Conservative Coalition)

Alun Jenkins, the Welsh Liberal Democrat councillor for Offa Ward in Wrexham has been awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for Political and Public Service in the New Year 2022 Honours List.

Cllr Jenkins has continuously served Offa Ward for over 50 years as its councillor, having been elected in 1970 and is one of the longest-serving Liberal Democrat councillors in Wales.

Cllr Alun Jenkins.

Responding to First Minister Mark Drakeford’s comments on the potential for employees to be fined £60 for not working from home if they are able to, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS has stated that explanations remain unclear and that the rule should be immediately dropped.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have responded to today’s COVID-19 update from the Welsh Government by calling for greater clarification on the financial assistance made available for the hospitality, nightlife and tourism industry stating that the announcements due by Finance Minister Vaughan Gething should have been made today while the Senedd was recalled. The Party has also called for more money to be placed into Test, Trace, Protect. 

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have been demanding action on several key areas outlined in today’s budget, engaging with Welsh Government Ministers since the May election.

These included increased and protected spending for mental health services, greater support for children and young people in care, and up-skilling young people for green jobs.

Tonight the Welsh Liberal Democrats have added their voice to those supporting an independent Welsh COVID-19 inquiry following the decision by Party Leader Jane Dodds MS to back a motion tabled calling for an independent Welsh COVID-19 inquiry. 

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives of ‘recklessly threatening the future of Welsh steel’ after it emerged that the US is delaying a deal to remove Trump-era tariffs on UK steel and aluminum because of concern in Washington’s over London’s threats to change post-Brexit trading rules in Northern Ireland.

The Liberal Democrats have proposed new legislation to protect Welsh farmers from being undercut by food trade deals that do not meet the UK’s environment and animal welfare standards.

The plans, set out in a private member’s bill from Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs Tim Farron MP, would require the government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission to assess the impact of any new trade deal on UK farmers, and guarantee that MPs had the final say on trade deals initiated by the government.

This would include an assessment of the impact of new trade deals on farming communities in each region and nation of the UK.

Farron’s Bill comes after concern was raised by farmers unions and the Welsh Liberal Democrats that the Government’s new trade deal with Australia will not include a Welsh-specific impact assessment.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP