Vale of Glamorgan Liberal Democrats

"HS2 is a huge leap forward for our rail network and will improve connectivity for generations to come.

"Liberal Democrats support HS2 because it will build a stronger economy and a fairer society, creating 40,000 direct and thousands more indirect jobs, as well as bridge the gap between the north and south. And that's before you consider the economic benefits to the wider areas serviced by HS2.

"In assessing the value of HS2 we must look at all the overall benefits, including for passengers by increasing capacity on existing lines and significantly cutting the travel time, and to the environment by reducing our reliance on domestic flights and transferring millions of journeys from road to rail."

"While it is disappointing that overall unemployment is up, it is good news that youth unemployment has fallen as that will be encouraging for young people who are looking for work.

"To build a stronger economy in a fairer society, Liberal Democrats have been focusing on giving young people the skills and experience necessary for a successful career.

"That is why Nick Clegg has introduced the £1bn Youth Contract that will ensure young people have the opportunity to earn or learn and Business Secretary Vince Cable has overseen the creation of more than 1m apprenticeships.

"We will continue to work hard to get more people in employment and build a stronger economy."

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has accused Centrica of making vague promises over their huge British Gas profits in the first months of this year.

Mr. Black was reacting to the news that Centrica has said that it will use the profits it has made from the 18% increase in gas usage as a consequence of this year's unrelenting cold weather to hold energy prices 'for as long as possible.'

Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Spokesperson Aled Roberts has called for clarity in proposed changes to Post-16 funding in Wales. The proposals are contained in the Welsh Government's Post-16 Planning and Funding Review: Final report which was published this week.

Commenting, Aled Roberts said:

Responding to the Government statement on Jobs Growth Wales and the news that 66.5% of the 6000 jobs created for young people have been filled, Eluned Parrott AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Economy Minister said:

"I congratulate the government on creating over 6,000 job opportunities and filling two thirds of them; that alone is a substantial task and deserves credit.

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy, has called on the Welsh Government to deliver on their Low Carbon ambitions in the wake of the First Minister's Energy Wales update today.

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat for Mid and West Wales, said:

"Despite Welsh Government policy being big on rhetoric regarding green energy and a low carbon transition, we continue to be confronted with relatively little quantifiable progress as a direct result of specific Welsh Government action.

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.