QUEEN'S SPEECH A LET-DOWN FOR WALES - WILLIAMS

12.07.50pm GMT Wed 3rd Dec 2008

Commenting on the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Roger Williams MP said:

"We face serious problems over the next year, yet Labour's plans barely scratch the surface when it comes to making a real difference in people's lives.

"Wales is losing jobs faster than anywhere else in the UK, yet today's Queen's Speech and last week's Pre-Budget Report have not produced any action to protect peoples homes and livelihoods.

"The Government could have introduced measures on repossessions, soaring energy costs and on the squeeze on bank lending, but instead they have offered very little to the people of Wales. They have been one step behind throughout the financial crisis and the recession and this is yet another mark of their failure to get a grip of the problems we face.

On the measures for the economy he added:

"The details of the Government's next Banking Reform Bill will be crucial. This is no time for tinkering - we need serious action to give people the protection they need.

"I was disappointed that measures to help small businesses and manufacturing do not seem to be forthcoming. Businesses are really feeling the heat, and yet the Government do not seem to have come up with a single new measure to assist them.

On the Welfare Reform Bill, he added:

"The Government and the Tories are waging a war over who can sound the toughest, but I am concerned that they are missing the real issues in benefit reform.

"The Bill does contain important steps to improve the provision of skills training for those that need it, but it is important that rhetoric does not get in the way of making sure this Bill produces a system that works.

On the Marine Bill, he added:

"I am delighted to see that after several years of pressure, the Government is finally bringing in a Marine Bill.

"It is vital that this a strong Bill to protect our marine environment."