Liberal Democrats punishing the young and elderly
- “Cynical vote grabbers” should be shown the door, says Welsh Labour
WELSH Labour today launched its campaign pledges for better services in Wales, accusing the Liberal Democrats of targeting the “vulnerable and powerless” in a cynical grab for votes.
Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews, launching the campaign from Ogmore Vale, said the Liberal Democrats had deliberately targeted young people and the elderly in a series of swingeing cuts. He was joined by labour group leader Mel Nott. They pointed at the Lib Dem record in Bridgend, where the party shares power with the Tories and Plaid Cymru:
The young:
• Despite receiving the second highest settlement from the Assembly in Wales, severe cuts will still be imposed on youth services
• Funding for primary schools has been slashed. Bridgend is now in the shameful position of having some of the poorest funded schools in Wales
• The road safety budget has been slashed. The lives of children getting to school are now at risk
• If the Liberal Democrats win the election they will introduce charges for talented young children in schools to learn to play musical instruments
Older people:
• Charges for many older people attending day centres have been quadrupled – the result is that many older people have simply stopped going
• Lib-Dems are trying to scrap the essential meals on wheels service for older and vulnerable people
• Severe cuts have been imposed on home care., disability equipment and home adaptations
Leighton Andrews promised that Labour-controlled councils will increase investment in the refurbishment of school buildings by 11 per cent next year alone, raise standards in all classrooms, support and expand Welsh-medium education and fully utilise the Labour Assembly’s £20m fund for youth services. He said that older people would benefit from an increase in social services spending, greater rights for carers, the development of new not-for-profit nursing homes, access to state-of-the-art care and free swimming at local authority swimming pools.
LEIGHTON ANDREWS said:
“This barrage of attacks on the young, elderly and vulnerable has been disgraceful. It is nothing less than a cynical vote grab by the Liberal Democrats, in coalition with the Tories and Plaid Cymru, who think they are picking on an easy target.
“It is a scandal that the vulnerable, less fortunate and those too young to vote have been singled out because of the failure of the Liberal Democrats to properly manage their budget. Whichever Liberal Democrat-run council in Wales you look at the story is the same.
“This is short-sighted, damaging nonsense. Anti-social behaviour is bound to increase without constructive activities for youngsters. Inadequately funded primary schools damage the whole of society and should bring shame on the administration in Bridgend. And cutting the budget for road safety is simply reckless.
“As for imposing cuts on our older people, who have served their countries and communities with hard work and dignity, it truly betrays a warped sense of priorities. The Liberal Democrats should be shown the door.
“Welsh Labour offers an alternative of fair play, opportunity and hope.”
MEL NOTT said:
“We should be proud of our recent history and the contribution our older people have and are still making to our communities. And we should be building and nurturing a future for our young people so that they develop into mature, polite and valuable members of society.
“The Liberal Democrats are making it very difficult for our young people and displaying utter disrespect to our older people.
“That is why if Labour takes control of Bridgend council after the election we will roll back these disastrous policies and pursue an agenda of fairness and respect for local people.”
WELSH Labour today launched its campaign pledges for better services in Wales, accusing the Liberal Democrats of targeting the “vulnerable and powerless” in a cynical grab for votes.
Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews, launching the campaign from Ogmore Vale, said the Liberal Democrats had deliberately targeted young people and the elderly in a series of swingeing cuts. He was joined by labour group leader Mel Nott. They pointed at the Lib Dem record in Bridgend, where the party shares power with the Tories and Plaid Cymru:
The young:
• Despite receiving the second highest settlement from the Assembly in Wales, severe cuts will still be imposed on youth services
• Funding for primary schools has been slashed. Bridgend is now in the shameful position of having some of the poorest funded schools in Wales
• The road safety budget has been slashed. The lives of children getting to school are now at risk
• If the Liberal Democrats win the election they will introduce charges for talented young children in schools to learn to play musical instruments
Older people:
• Charges for many older people attending day centres have been quadrupled – the result is that many older people have simply stopped going
• Lib-Dems are trying to scrap the essential meals on wheels service for older and vulnerable people
• Severe cuts have been imposed on home care., disability equipment and home adaptations
Leighton Andrews promised that Labour-controlled councils will increase investment in the refurbishment of school buildings by 11 per cent next year alone, raise standards in all classrooms, support and expand Welsh-medium education and fully utilise the Labour Assembly’s £20m fund for youth services. He said that older people would benefit from an increase in social services spending, greater rights for carers, the development of new not-for-profit nursing homes, access to state-of-the-art care and free swimming at local authority swimming pools.
LEIGHTON ANDREWS said:
“This barrage of attacks on the young, elderly and vulnerable has been disgraceful. It is nothing less than a cynical vote grab by the Liberal Democrats, in coalition with the Tories and Plaid Cymru, who think they are picking on an easy target.
“It is a scandal that the vulnerable, less fortunate and those too young to vote have been singled out because of the failure of the Liberal Democrats to properly manage their budget. Whichever Liberal Democrat-run council in Wales you look at the story is the same.
“This is short-sighted, damaging nonsense. Anti-social behaviour is bound to increase without constructive activities for youngsters. Inadequately funded primary schools damage the whole of society and should bring shame on the administration in Bridgend. And cutting the budget for road safety is simply reckless.
“As for imposing cuts on our older people, who have served their countries and communities with hard work and dignity, it truly betrays a warped sense of priorities. The Liberal Democrats should be shown the door.
“Welsh Labour offers an alternative of fair play, opportunity and hope.”
MEL NOTT said:
“We should be proud of our recent history and the contribution our older people have and are still making to our communities. And we should be building and nurturing a future for our young people so that they develop into mature, polite and valuable members of society.
“The Liberal Democrats are making it very difficult for our young people and displaying utter disrespect to our older people.
“That is why if Labour takes control of Bridgend council after the election we will roll back these disastrous policies and pursue an agenda of fairness and respect for local people.”
