Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats

Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams has called for a meeting with Powys County Council on a proposed switch to private sector providers of domiciliary care.

Kirsty has asked to meet with Geoff Sherlock (Head of Adult Services and Commissioning) and Cllr Rosemarie Harris (Cabinet Member, Social Services, care, health and housing) to discuss the proposals and service users concerns.

Today Roger Williams addressed a number of MP's at the 'Friends of the Earth' campaign reception highlighting 'The Bee Cause' at Parliament. The plight of the bee has attracted much attention from constituents and Mr Williams was delighted to take such a forthright role within the event proceedings.

Roger used the opportunity to call on the Government to take a holistic approach to tackle the declining bee population across the UK. It is believed that the honey bee populations have reduced by half since 1985 and there are now 47 bee species that are considered vulnerable or endangered.

Following his attendance at the All Parliamentary Party Group for the Horse AGM, Group secretary Roger Williams used DEFRA Questions to pushed the Secretary of State Owen Paterson for reform and improvements to the current system.

Speaking in the House, Roger Williams the Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, said:

Today during Defra questions, Roger Williams, Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire highlighted the need for greater food security through ensuring that the direct single payment for farmers are protected under Common Agricultural Policy reforms.

Roger, speaking in the House asked Minister David Heath MP:

Kirsty Williams AM is urging communities in Brecon and Radnorshire to apply for the new £6m First World War: then and now fund, which the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has launched.

HLF is making at least £1m available per year until 2019 to provide grants of between £3,000 and £10,000. The money will enable groups across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

Brecon and Radnorshire MP, Roger Williams, on Tuesday met with Transport Minister, Stephen Hammond MP, to urge him to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing in the UK. He was joined by public health expert, Dr. Sarah Jones, and Ellen Booth, of the road safety charity, Brake.

A system of Graduated Driver Licensing is designed to enable young drivers to gain invaluable experience of driving whilst reducing the risks they face during and after the learning period. The Government is publishing a Green Paper on Young People and road safety which will propose a number of measures for consideration, including a minimum learning period before holders of a provisional licence can take their driving test and restrictions on the number of young passengers. The Green Paper is expected to be published towards the end of the summer.

Roger Williams, Secretary for the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Horse, attended a meeting to discuss the future of Horse passporting after the meat adulteration debacle had shown that the system was not working properly. The government believe that the weaknesses can only be overcome by having a central database, and having only one organisation issuing passports.

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has used today's Business　 Statement to call for greater action on the measles outbreak. The measles outbreak continues to spread, with cases in Wales, since November, currently standing at 1,257, including cases in Powys.

Commenting Kirsty Williams said:

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: