Rob Speht Working hard for Swansea

In the debate this afternoon on 'Strengthening Local Government Democracy', the Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling for 16 and 17 years olds to be given the right to vote in elections to local councils.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats amendment is part of the party's ongoing campaign to ensure that 16 and 17 years olds are allowed to vote. The party is hoping their calls for this change in the law will be supported by other political parties in the Assembly, therefore sending a clear message that Wales supports votes at 16.

Research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats has revealed that over the past four years, 24 serious medical errors classed as 'never events' have been reported to the Welsh Government by Local Health Boards.

Never events are serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that should not occur if the available preventative measures had been implemented. These are incidents that are so serious they should never happen.

The main business organisation representing employers, the CBI, has predicted that the Welsh economy should pick up later this year and that growth will continue into 2014. CBI Wales said the Welsh economy was slowly growing, while manufacturers have said they were getting more orders.

The organisation also pointed out that the Welsh government could do more to help the construction sector by cutting red tape and "spending wisely" the available Treasury money.

Commenting on today's published list of Welsh Government Trade Missions and Exhibitions over the next twelve months, Shadow Liberal Democrat Business Minister Eluned Parrott AM said:

"I welcome the news that the Welsh Government are attending lots of events with the aim of boosting the Welsh Economy however the Welsh Government must ensure that they get useful outcomes from these trips as our export economy is continuing to struggle.

The Coalition Government has reaffirmed its commitment to get empty homes back into use, detailing the series of measures being introduced to ensure more empty houses become homes again.

These include introducing refurbishment schemes and a new Community Right to Reclaim Land, reforming planning laws, encouraging local authorities to take a lead by providing a financial reward for bringing long-term empty homes back into use, and reviewing what further steps can be taken to end the bias for demolition in the state sector.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed the decision of the Health Minister to ensure that the drug Kalydeco is made available for the 13 sufferers of Cystic Fibrosis in Wales who will benefit from it.

Mr. Black had previously written to the Health Minister on behalf of a number of constituents to ask him to overrule the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group decision not to approve this drug in Wales. The Minister has now decided that a way must be found to provide Kalydeco within NHS Wales for those eligible patients with cystic fibrosis. He has therefore confirmed that Kalydeco will be available for these 13 individuals

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed measures in the Queen's Speech that will help 4,520 businesses in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend by cutting National Insurance Contributions, introduce a flat rate pension for all and take action to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Thousands of pensioners stand to benefit from today's Queen's Speech, with a fair flat-rate pension for all.

The Queen announced a reform of the pensions system, ending the confusion state pension provision by introducing a single, flat-rate pension. This is in addition to the triple lock, championed by the Liberal Democrats, which has ensured record rise in the state pension of £12.50 a week since 2010. The triple lock will continue to safeguard an increase in the state pension in line with earnings, inflation or 2.5% - whichever is higher.

Eluned Parrott, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Business and Enterprise, has welcomed that The Queen's Speech will help over 35,000 businesses in Wales by cutting National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

The National Insurance Contributions Bill announced by the Queen will introduce a National Insurance employment allowance of £2,000, reducing the cost of employment and supporting small businesses who want to grow and hire their first employee or expand their workforce.