William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate for Brecon & Radnorshire, has welcomed today’s (Monday 26^th April) outdoor reopening of pubs, restaurants, and some other catering & hospitality businesses, and promised that he and his party will be a voice for small business in the next Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament.  

Key policy commitments in the Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2021 Senedd Election include a freeze on Business Rates for the next five years and a £500 million fund for investment in town centres and high streets based on the priorities identified by local business leaders and organisations.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire, Cllr William Powell, has called on Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, with support from Powys tLHB, to focus on the strategic development of Nevill Hall Hospital to address the 'serious NHS waiting lists' in a number of areas.

Equal care for mental health

One in four people experiences a mental health problem in any given year. For too long, mental health has been stigmatised and ignored. We strongly believe mental health should be taken as seriously as physical health and are determined to give it the equal attention it deserves. We know that not enough resources reach front line services and that in the fight for parity of esteem, there is still a very long way to go. 

Farming, food, and agriculture

Leaving the EU puts farming and agricultural businesses in huge danger. It threatens cuts to the financial support, which underpins farmers’ livelihoods and their ability to manage the countryside, and tariffs on exports. For agricultural products, EU tariffs average 22.3% – putting Britain’s £18 billion of food exports in danger. Our system must support farmers, ensure food production, and protect the environment. 

A year ago, it seemed that the world had come to a consensus on the need to take the perils of climate change seriously. Countries across the globe had recognised that rising temperatures and pollution were not just an environmental issue, but an economic and security issue. But with the election of Donald Trump in the US and Britain’s vote to leave the EU, the tides of isolationism and populism could halt or even reverse the progress that has been made.

The Conservatives seem determined to take Britain back to the 1980s, when the UK was the ‘dirty man of Europe’. They have cut support for renewable energy and home insulation, sold off the Green Investment Bank and failed to control air pollution.

Liberal Democrats are determined that we live up to our environmental obligations.

That’s why we will pass five green laws:

a Green Transport Act,

a Zero-Carbon  Britain Act,

a Nature Act,

a Green Buildings Act, and

a Zero Waste Act to incorporate existing EU environmental protections, maintain product standards such as for energy efficiency, and establish a framework for continual improvement.

Quality really counts in early-years

Investing in high-quality early years education has a huge impact on children’s attainment as they enter school. Our most vulnerable children have the most to gain from excellent early years setting, with partnership with parents a key component. 

We will:
• Increase our Early Years Pupil Premium funding

• Support a national project to help boost the computing skills of primary school children 

• Promote the use of community buildings, leisure centres and school premises to increase level of childcare provision