Monthly Archive
Plaid welcomes education review
Plaid Cymru AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has welcomed plans by the Assembly Government to review how education in Wales is funded.
The One Wales Government has announced that an independent review will be held on how schools, colleges and universities in Wales are financed, with the ultimate aim of reducing bureaucracy and channelling funding directly into education.
Dr. Lloyd, Plaid’s Local Government Spokesperson, stated:
“The way that we deliver our key public services over the next few years is going to be vital in protecting front line services.
“With the Assembly Government and Local Authorities likely to face a funding squeeze over the next few years as a result of the recession, it is vital that we review the systems that we have in place to deliver our public services.
“We have seen a reorganisation within the Welsh NHS, which will hopefully lead to a more streamlined service in future years – the education system must also stand up to the same level of scrutiny.
“Swansea Council, like most across Wales is undergoing school reorganisation changes which aim to reduce the numbers of surplus places, and while that in itself may bring financial gains, those gains may not be sufficient given the possible scale of cutbacks in the public sector.
“Many schools are in debt and are operating with a budget deficit. To address this problem, we must ensure that we cut out bureaucracy and that as much money as possible goes to the frontline rather than being tied up in Administrative systems.
“I look forward to the review findings and would urge all Councils, including Swansea, to make representations to the Minister.”
Wales’ Underfunding has to be addressed
Plaid Cymru’s Local government spokesperson Dr Dai Lloyd AM has said that the current underfunding of Wales by the Westminster Government is unacceptable and unsustainable.
Ahead of a debate on the Local government settlement, Dr Lloyd said that levels of funding for councils is already having a clear effect on services in some areas.
He said Labour, Conservative and Lib Dems are all simply ignoring the problem, and called on them to pledge fair funding for Wales.
Dr Dai Lloyd AM said:
“Once again, the National Assembly has been discussing how little money there is for essential services, including those provided by our local authorities. The plain fact is that Wales is clearly underfunded by the Westminster government and the situation will not improve until fair funding for Wales is pledged by the London parties who have so far ignored what is happening.
“An Independent review has recommended that no further cuts should be made to Wales’ budget until the funding shortfall is addressed. The London consensus is to stay silent on this issue, and it shows how little they prioritise the needs of our communities.”
Plaid slams Tory Hypocricy on electrification plans
Plaid representatives in Swansea have attacked what they call ‘blatant Tory hypocrisy’ following an attempt by Nick Bourne to claim his party is in favour of upgrading the main South Wales rail line.
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd and Swansea Councillor Darren Price point to a blog entry in which Mr Bourne claimed his party would invest to “enhance the existing rail services” in Wales - yet he failed to point out that his own Tory bosses in London have failed to give a guarantee that the electrification of the South Wales line between Swansea and London will continue as planned if they win the next general election.
The Conservatives’ Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers, speaking at the party’s annual conference in Manchester last autumn, said that ‘We are keen to level with people and be very straight with them that electrification can bring benefits but it is not possible to give a cast-iron commitment because of the state of the public finances’.
Swansea-based Dr. Lloyd said:
“How can people believe a word the Tories say when they so blatantly say one thing but intend to do another?
“Yet again Nick Bourne has shown that he will say what he thinks people want to hear, but the reality of what his party would do in power is completely different.
“Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones has fought hard to get assurances that the electrification plan will go to Swansea after initial plans only included Bristol to London. But the Tories are not prepared to guarantee that this important boost for the Welsh economy will take place.
“This kind of hypocrisy by the Conservative party must be exposed. The people of Wales have a clear choice - between London parties that will never priorities Wales’ communities, economy and people, and Plaid Cymru - the only party that will always stand up for our interests and needs.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“The Tory bosses in London have failed categorically to commit to this project and no amount of words by Nick Bourne can hide that fact. This Tory snub is simply a kick in the teeth for Swansea and South West Wales.
“Their position shows the Tories for what they are – a party more interested in serving the South of England than the people of Wales. The UK Government has clearly been convinced of its affordability, with plans already being developed to start the work. The scheme should not be scrapped at this late stage to simply fund the Tories’ planned tax breaks for the rich.”
