Latest news with #DavidChadwick
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
National Insurance rise costs Welsh universities 18m a year
The increase in employer contributions has led to higher expenses and deepened financial challenges in the higher education sector. The party said the additional cost is forcing universities to make difficult decisions, including staff cuts and course closures. David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP, said: "Labour's jobs tax is yet another blow to Welsh universities, coming at a time when they're already facing mounting financial challenges. "It's completely unacceptable that Welsh universities are now being saddled with millions in extra costs just to meet a tax increase that could and should have been avoided." Cardiff University faces the largest impact, with a £6.7 million rise in annual National Insurance costs. Swansea University will see an additional £3.5 million in employer contributions. Universities have said the increase came as a surprise and has placed further strain on finances.
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys MP meets Government Minister over bluetongue crisis
A Powys MP has met with a Government minister over the crisis for sheep farmers that could be coming due to Bluetongue restrictions. MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick, met with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales Dame Nia Griffith to discuss the issue which has farmers either side of the Welsh Border alarmed. Mr Chadwick was also able to secure invitations for Matthew Nicholls - Director at Hereford Market Auctioneers & Welsh representative of the Livestock Auctioneers Association and Simon Edwards - the Chairman of McCartneys to join the meeting with the Minister. From July 1 sheep farmers will be required to pay for a bluetongue test for the animals to cross into Wales from England which may cost as much as £70 per animal. The move has been met with horror by local farmers who in some cases will face a bill of as much as £25,000 to move sheep from one part of their land to another. During the meeting, Mr Chadwick explained the situation facing farmers on the Welsh border and the economic impact facing farmers and local livestock markets in Knighton, Talgarth, Builth Wells, Hereford and Welshpool. Both Mr Nicholls and Mr Edwards explained directly to the Minister the scale of the threat faced by local farmers and livestock markets as a result of the effective hard border for sheep travelling between England and Wales. Following the meeting, Under-Secretary of State for Wales Dame Nia Griffith said she will seek to work with the Welsh Government to find a solution. 'I'm very grateful to the Minister for making the time to meet with myself and representatives of the local livestock markets to discuss the issues being faced by the sector as a result of the Welsh Government's response to Bluetongue,' said Mr Chadwick. 'The Liberal Democrats have been repeatedly highlighting how the current system is completely unworkable and not financially viable for local farmers, especially as we approach breeding season at the end of summer. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app 'The Welsh Government must focus on vaccination and do away with the impractical testing scheme. 'I will continue to ensure I engage with both Welsh and UK Government ministers to make this case and update local farmers on any progress.' Mr David Chadwick has questioned ministers twice on the issue, as has his Lib Dem colleague from North Shropshire Helen Morgan MP and the Liberal Democrats' Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Marie Goldman MP.
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Bluetongue: MPs warn rules will be 'catastrophic' for trade
MPs on both sides of the border have warned that new bluetongue rules will be 'catastrophic' for trade that many local farmers rely on. David Chadwick and Helen Morgan - Liberal Democrat MPs for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, and North Shropshire, respectively – have joined forces to call on the UK and Welsh governments to work together to implement 'consistent, common-sense policies that protect the welfare of animals and the livelihood of farmers'. It comes after the Welsh Government announced changes from July 1 that will force any sheep and goats to test negative for the bluetongue virus before being transported from England into Wales. Even fully vaccinated sheep will be blocked from crossing into Wales due to the Welsh Government not accepting the most common type of vaccine. Farmers will be forced to fork as much as £70 per test for sheep crossing the border. This is despite the virus being carried by midges and so there being no visible border between England and Wales. Meanwhile, hundreds of farms are operating across both sides of the border. David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said: 'Thousands of farms along the England-Wales border are reliant on cross-border trade. 'Farmers simply cannot afford the costs this policy will inflict on them. They are fed up of being taken for granted by governments in London and Wales. 'It's time we saw solutions and support from ministers instead of blow after blow to agricultural businesses.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Both raised the issue with the Government in the House of Commons on Thursday (June 19) and have now written to DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed calling on him to work at pace with the Welsh Government to develop a co-ordinated approach 'so that farmers can be given the clarity and consistency they need'. They also highlighted concerns that the Animal and Plant Health Agency lacks the capacity to test every animal crossing the border and that livestock markets on both sides of the border including Oswestry, Welshpool, Builth Wells, Presteigne and Hereford, would suffer as a result. Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: 'Farmers in Shropshire are already under intense pressure and now they are being forced to fork out because two Labour Governments are not working together. 'Leaders in Westminster and Cardiff must work together to support farmers on both sides of the border and give them the clarity and consistency they need.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'They will never be forgotten': Armed forces flag raised above town hall
The armed forces flag was raised above the town hall to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week. A short service was held this morning Monday (June 23) in Victoria Square to mark the occasion. Reverend Hannah Lane welcomed the crowd for coming to the short service to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. She said: "During the ceremony, the armed forces flag will be raised above the town hall where it will fly proudly until Saturday evening. "At the same time we will also remember those who have served in the armed services in years gone by with such distinction and sacrifice. "And we will think of our service men and women who are serving now, those currently committed overseas, especially those in active service." The gathered crowd was then invited to take part in a two minute silence to remember all those who have died in service. Bolton Mayor David Chadwick (third from left) said that Bolton takes great pride in the flag. (left to right): Cllr Deirdre McGowan, Bolton mayoress and mayor Valerie and David Chadwick, Westhoughton mayor Gillian Wroe (Image: Newsquest) Mayor of Bolton, Cllr David Chadwick, said: "Armed forces flags will be raised across the country today to mark the start of armed forces week "Here in Bolton we take great pride in raising our own armed forces flag." The mayor said that the day was to celebrate those currently serving, as well those who have lost their lives in years gone past. He said: "They will never be forgotten. "This is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. "This Saturday, we will celebrate and commemorate our armed forces on armed forces day." The national anthem was then played. The start of Armed Forces Week was marked with a short service and the armed forces flag was raised above the town hall (Image: Newsquest) Before ending the service, Rev Lane formally invited everyone to attend Armed Forces Day on Saturday. She said that that there would be a range of activities taking place on Victoria Square, which would start with another service. She said: "We are proud to be able to highlight and say thank you to our armed forces - thank you." READ MORE: Horwich childhood friends cycling Western Front Way READ MORE: Salute our Forces: why Armed Forces Week matters more than ever READ MORE: RAF chief set to be new head of armed forces – reports A free veterans' lunch was then held in the town hall by the mayor, with live entertainment. Carrs Pasties, Park Cakes Bolton and Bank Top Brewery have offered to serve food and beer free of charge in support for our veterans and serving members of the armed forces. On Saturday, June 28, the council will hold their annual Armed Forces Day event in Victoria Square from 10.30am to 3.30pm with a short service followed by a family fun day with lots of stalls and free activities, such as paintballing.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Letter: Welsh politics is an worsening expensive shambles
MP David Chadwick's column (County Times June 6) caused me to grieve at the histrionics of young career politicians. I congratulate him on his progress, despite setbacks, to a £93,904 MP's salary in Westminster, from April 2025, plus expenses and generous pension arrangements. His pension, unlike the state pension for the rest of us, is fully funded, so no surprise there. But penning his thoughts on the 'onslaught of pressure' to farmers, was he aware of Powys County Council's predominately Lib Dem Cabinet's decision to sell some of Powys's county-owned farms? This picking of long held 'low hanging fruit' to boost council coffers, bare through weak management across the entire county council, is short-sighted and disgraceful. This year's council tax increase is 8.9% with inflation at 3.5% (CPI). Next year, who knows? So, cost cutting across the board should be top priority. There is no alternative. Any talk of growth being sufficient to pay ever burgeoning county council costs is bunkum. If the MP was aware of the farm evictions, his column is spurious - if he was not aware, he should have been, and perhaps he and Powys's other MP, Steve Witherden, should get their heads together and bring the strongest pressure to bear on the County Council. Alongside, avoiding the political divide, Senedd members for Powys, Russell George and James Evans, should engage too. As opposed to evictions (CT June 13), cash strapped Powys County Council's cabinet members for a Fairer Powys and a More Prosperous Powys seem keen to welcome a possible 'asylum seekers' deal'. This would see the national government or Senedd handing over 'Cash to boost Powys housing stock'. For whose benefit - for displaced tenant farming families - surely not? Welsh politics is an expensive shambles, shortly to become more so, if a further 36 under-qualified lightweights join the Senedd, ready to plunder the public purse in 2026 - with a likely extra cost of £18 million annually, rising remorselessly.
