"Better budget could save lives" - Kirsty Williams

2.13.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 14th Nov 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has welcomed the Government's defeat in the budget debate at the Assembly, saying she hoped it would mean more money to improve the ambulance service in the constituency.

Following their defeat, the Labour Government must now begin negotiating with opposition parties to create a compromise budget.

Ms Williams said: "Given the Government's minority, they were foolish to present a budget to the Assembly before consulting other parties. Their defeat is no surprise. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will be working hard to ensure the revised budget provides a good deal for the people of Wales.

"One of the proposals on the table is to give more money to the Ambulance service. This would make a real difference in Brecon and Radnorshire, where response times are often poor. The money could be spent on more community paramedics, which can help addresses the problems that a sparse population presents to the ambulance service. I hope the Government will give our ideas serious consideration, to help save lives in my constituency."

Notes:

The Government's budget was defeated at the Assembly on October 24th. A cross-party amendment, which was passed, read:

"The National Assembly for Wales declines to take note of the draft budget for the Welsh Assembly Government for the financial years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 laid in the Table Office on 17 October 2006 by the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services, as it fails to make either adequate provision, or any at all, for the following matters:

a) a sum equivalent to the 1% efficiency savings of all schools' delegated budgets which should be returned to the schools

b) the budget of Tir Mynydd to be restored to the level set in 2005-6

c) closing the higher education funding gap

d) an increase in the budget allocated for transport grants

e) an increase in the budget allocated to the Ambulance Service

f) an increase in the allowances paid to foster carers

g) financial assistance to community radio stations

h) financial assistance to local authorities to overcome the difficulties they face over:

i. landfill sites

ii. the capital costs of improving care homes

i) transitional relief to local authorities on the withdrawal of rural rate relief

j) the employment of cognitive behaviour therapists

k) financial assistance to provide for play areas for disabled children

l) financial assistance to establish refuges for women who suffer domestic violence in those local authority areas where none currently exist

m) further financial support for the improvement of rail infrastructure

Accordingly the National Assembly for Wales instructs the Finance Minister to lay a revised draft budget to take full account of the matters set out in (a) to (m) above."

A full transcript of this, and all other, Assembly debates is available from the National Assembly for Wales website (www.wales.gov.uk).

Ambulance response times in Powys are consistently among the worst in Wales. The latest figures show less than 45% of Category A emergency calls (immediately life-threatening) in Powys receive a response (first responder or ambulance) within the target time of 8 minutes. Further statistics on ambulance times available on request.