Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats News Stories (Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats)

May 16, 2013:
- Apply for £6m WWI funding, urges local Assembly Member
  The Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has urged communities in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend 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. Communities can apply for grants for a variety of different projects, which could include: Researching, identifying and recording local heritage Creating a community archive or collection Developing new interpretations of heritage through exhibitions, trails, smartphone apps, etc. Researching, writing and performing creative material based on heritage sources Conservation of war memorials Commenting, Mr. Black said: "The First World War had an unprecedented impact on our communities, with so many young men leaving for the front. Few people are alive now who can give us a first-hand account of this period but the legacy they have left behind can still be felt and seen. "The Heritage Lottery Fund will allow our communities to mark the centenary. I want to encourage those who want to commemorate the centenary to get in touch with the HLF and see if they can tap into this new fund. "This anniversary will be a poignant time for local people. I look forward to working with different groups to bring the stories from that time alive and preserve our heritage for future generations." ENDS Notes to editors: More details on the Heritage Lottery Fund's initiative can be found on its website: http://bit.ly/15Pxfvu. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Establishment of new payday loan watchdog organisation 'doesn't go nearly far enough' says Assembly Member
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has given a guarded welcome to the setting up of a new watchdog organisation that is to monitor payday loan companies. The Consumer Finance Association (CFA), which is a trade body for short-term lenders, has set up the Short-term Lending Compliance Board (SLCB), to make sure its members are operating fairly and borrowers are protected from bad practice. Mr. Black said: "While I welcome action to try and stamp out bad practice by payday lenders, and it is good that a trade body like the Consumer Finance Association is taking matters seriously, setting up such a watchdog organisation doesn't go nearly far enough. "The Office of Fair Trading has already made it clear that many payday lenders are giving people loans at unacceptable levels of interest without making the slightest attempt to discover if the person can afford the repayments. Last week Citizens Advice announced that 65% of payday loan borrowers were not asked about their finances. "Such borrowers are spiralling deeper into debt with each passing month as payday lenders persuade them to take out further loans in order to pay the original one back. What is needed is clear regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to force payday loan companies to ask borrowers about their financial circumstances, and act upon the replies. In addition, the FCA should cap the interest that these legal loan sharks can charge." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 15, 2013:
- Centrica price promise ''too vague to be trusted' says Assembly Member
  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.' Mr. Black said: "Centrica's promise is too vague to be trusted. This is the same company that was happy to hike its prices by 6% just before the winter; won't tell us when it pays for its wholesale gas and at what price; and won't use the eye-watering profits from its generating business to cushion the impact upon people struggling with their bills. "Centrica are on course to make just over half a billion pounds in profit this year. At the same time, Age Concern Cymru estimates that around 30% of Welsh households face fuel poverty. "Worry about fuel price increases outranks both those about the price of food, and the level of debt in a recent UK-wide survey carried out by global information and market research company Nielsen. "Centrica needs to make a clear commitment not to raise prices for a specified length of time. That way they can avoid the impression of simply delivering warm words to keep us quiet while they line up their next pre-winter price hike." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 3, 2013:
- Welsh Government shamelessly recycling housing announcements
  Responding to the Welsh Government's announcement that it is to increase the supply of housing in Wales, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, commented: "This is mostly a re-announcement of past initiatives. Of course it is welcome that the Welsh Labour Government is looking to address its historical failings to produce a sufficient amount of affordable homes, but we need new money, not shamelessly recycled announcements. "What is needed is for the Welsh Labour Government to get the recently cancelled First-Time Buyers Mortgage scheme back on track. This scheme was a Welsh Liberal Democrat idea that the Welsh Government agreed to take forward. If we are to get the housing market moving, then we must help first time buyers get on the housing ladder. That aspiration appears to have been abandoned by this Welsh Labour Government." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 2, 2013:
- Assembly member queries decision to block availability of vital drug in Wales
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has written to the Health Minister to ask him to overrule his advisory committee and approve the use of Kalydeco for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers in Wales, after constituents came to him to say that they were told they cannot have access to the drug because of the cost of providing it. The drug, which has been approved for use in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland could lead to an increase in life expectancy of 10 years and already has made an improvement to the quality of life for people with the G551D mutation of Cystic Fibrosis in other parts of the UK. But the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group, who decide whether treatments can be given to patients have decided that it cannot be used in Wales because the case for cost-effectiveness has not been proven. Mr Black said, "I am disappointed that the cost of this drug has been seen as more important than the effectiveness of it. The Health Minister has the opportunity here to show that this Welsh Government take the treatment of people with rare diseases seriously by overruling the strategy group and approving this medicine." "Patients in Wales should receive the best, most effective treatment with the decision based on clinical evidence and scientific research not on the balance sheet of the Welsh Government" Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 22, 2013:
- AM expresses concerns about company targeting Swansea with single measles vaccine
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black is to raise with Ministers on Tuesday, his concerns about a private healthcare company that is targeting the Swansea and South West Wales area on its website so as to sell single measles vaccinations. Mr. Black will use the business statement to ask the Welsh Government to investigate the activities of the Children's Immunisation Centre, which uses its website www.childrensimmunisation.com to promote the sale of a single measles and a single rubella vaccine. He is particularly concerned at the appearance of a telephone number for inquiries on the site for Swansea residents and that the site promotes the now-discredited link between the MMR jab and autism. Because the single measles vaccine is not licensed for use in the UK it can only be administered here on prescription. The website advertises a fee of £50 for registration and prescription followed by a £110 fee for the single measles vaccine and £110 for the rubella vaccine. Although a single mumps vaccine is also advertised as being available for £120 the site concedes that this is not yet the case. The Children's Immunisation Centre says on its website that it is registered by the Care Quality Commission and that this body 'licenses them to provide services'. The Care Quality Commission only has jurisdiction in England and on its website (http://www.cqc.org.uk) says that its role is to check whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting national standards. It does not claim to be able to license medicines or other medical services or to approve services. "In the light ofthe measles epidemic now hitting the Swansea and South West Wales area because of a misleading health scare over a decade ago, I am particularly concerned to see a private company continuing to make that link on its website so as to sell their products," said Mr. Black. "The only safe vaccination is the MMR jab. "I intend to raise this matter with the health minister and to use the business statement in Tuesday's Plenary to seek a statement on this matter. I want Ministers to tell me who is regulating this company's activities in Wales and how they are able to market an unlicensed vaccine in this way. "We must not allow ourselves to be distracted from getting as many children and young people immunised with the MMR vaccine as possible so as to remove the threat the current measles outbreak poses to their life and long-term health."to check whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting national standards Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Energy companies should hold their prices for winter 2013 says Assembly Member
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called on the big six energy companies to commit themselves to holding their present prices for next winter. Mr. Black's intervention comes after recent revelations that the big six have more than doubled their retail profit margins in the last 18 months, and make an average of 24% profit on their generating activities. Mr. Black said: "The energy companies must have been rubbing their hands with glee throughout the long cold winter that we have just gone through. Their winter 2012 average price rise has really paid off for them. "Each household on dual fuel now gives the big six an average of £95 a year in profits, which is double what they got out of us back in 2011. "Figures provided by the companies themselves show that annual price for such households have risen from £1030 in 2011 to £1420 today. On top of this, they make profits of over 24% on producing the power in the first place. "The big six should commit themselves to keeping their prices for consumers at today's levels for next winter. After all, they can easily cross-subsidize from their power generation operations if the eye-watering profit from their retail operations isn't enough." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 17, 2013:
- Labour's failure kills mortgage guarantee scheme
  Responding to the Housing Minister's announcement that the NewBuy housing mortgage scheme has collapsed, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, commented: "This scheme was agreed as part of a budget deal with the Welsh Liberal Democrats and I believe it would have been reasonable for the Welsh Government to have delivered on their promise. "The Welsh Labour Government has taken over a year from the initial announcement to put together a scheme only to see it collapse under the weight of its own complexity. Having dragged their heels, the Welsh Labour Government has left first time byers with no way forward to get on the housing ladder. "Time and time again the Welsh Labour Government delayed the introduction of this scheme. We were told numerous different dates when it was meant to be introduced, yet nothing came. Now, due to the failings of this Welsh Labour Government, the scheme has collapsed. This incompetence is intolerable. "This announcement comes in the same week that the Welsh Labour Government's £36 million back-to-work scheme, Genesis Cymru Wales 2, was wound up due to significant underperformance. This Welsh Labour Government seems incapable in getting anything right at all and sadly it is the people of Wales and the Welsh economy that is paying the price for the Government's failings." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 14, 2013:
- Labour are failing Blaenau Gwent
  Responding to the Auditor General's annual report into Blaenau Gwent Council, Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Local Government, commented: "The Wales Audit Office report into Blaenau Gwent makes disappointing reading. This is a failing Labour Council that dishes out the highest Council Tax bills in the whole of Wales yet provides a poor set of services. "Blaenau Gwent is currently ranked the least attractive area in the UK for inward investment. This is a shocking indictment of Welsh Labour's record in Government. It is also the case that this council is too small to deliver many services effectively. "We need to be looking again at the organisation of local councils in Wales. Currently, we have too many small councils who are completely out of their depth and are failing to provide reasonable services for their people." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 20, 2013:
- £700 tax cut for 190,200 people in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend
  Today's Budget announced that the Income Tax Personal Allowance will be raised to £10,000 in April 2014 - one year sooner than had been expected. This means 190,200 ordinary working people in Swansea (88,800), Neath Port Talbot (52,100) and Bridgend (49,300) will get a further Income Tax cut, bringing the total tax cut to £700 a year since Liberal Democrats joined the Coalition Government. This welcome news also means that 20,650 low-earners (8,330 in Swansea, 5,620 in Neath Port Talbot and 6,700 in Bridgend) will have been lifted out of paying Income Tax thanks to Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government. Commenting, the Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black said: "Liberal Democrats are working for a stronger economy and a fairer society, so that everyone can get on in life so we are cutting taxes for ordinary working people. "Liberal Democrats want fairer taxes, which is why we made raising the tax-free allowance our number one priority at the General Election - so important that we put it on the front page of our manifesto. "When times are tough, with rising bills and wages not keeping pace with inflation, we want to give people real, practical help. "Cutting Income Tax will not deal with all of those problems, but it will help. And I hope it will make a big difference to every family in this country." ENDS Notes to editors: Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have increased the amount of money you can earn tax-free every year. In April 2014 it will be raised to £10,000, a total tax cut of £700 a year for nearly 25m people. In 2014, someone working full-time on the minimum wage will see their Income Tax bill cut by more than half compared to what they were paying under Labour. By April 2014 we will have taken 2.7m low-income workers out of paying tax altogether. The majority will be women. The £700 tax cut means, for the average family, we have cut the Income Tax bill by a third. It is enough for a working couple to pay their council tax or combined gas and electricity bills for a year. Beyond this unprecedented rise in the Personal Allowance, we want to increase the tax-free allowance further until no one pays any Income Tax until they earn more than the National Minimum Wage. Labour's record of unfair taxes: Labour cut tax for millionaires every single year until their last month, while increasing tax on low earners by scrapping the 10p tax rate. Under Labour, someone on the Minimum Wage paid £1,000 in Income Tax. We have cut their tax bill by more than half and under our future plans, they would pay nothing. Labour helped the richest in society when they cut Capital Gains Tax for hedge fund managers and cut tax on millionaires' pension pots. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Labour Government's reluctance to act leaves house builders and home buyers without support
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Peter Black has questioned the commitment of the Labour Welsh Government to help first time buyers and house builders, after they announced that the mortgage guarantee scheme forced on them by the Welsh Liberal Democrats as part of a budget deal will not now be launched until 3rd June. "The Welsh Liberal Democrats Mortgage Guarantee scheme was agreed in good faith in May 2012" said Mr. Black. "It reflects successful schemes already in place in England and in a number of Welsh Councils and yet it has taken the Government more than a year just to agree a date to launch it. "The NewBuy Cymru scheme is a good one in so far as it will help to limit the deposit needed to buy a new home to 5% for 3,000 households, whilst also assisting house builders to sell their homes. However, the delay in launching it is inexplicable and has left both those seeking to get on the housing ladder and those wanting to build new homes without much needed support. It is little wonder that the housing market is so sluggish in Wales. "The 3rd June cannot come soon enough for those who will benefit from this scheme, but why have Ministers dragged their heels on this issue for so long?" Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 19, 2013:
- Welsh Liberal Democrats Housing Spokesperson comments on latest homelessness statistics
  Commenting on the latest statistics1 on Homelessness, October-December 2012, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Peter Black said: "It is pleasing to learn that the number of households accepted as homeless during 2012 has been lower than in 2011-2012. This trend has continued for the last 3 months and I hope it will continue for the rest of this year. "However house building in Wales needs to increase in order to provide the homes that these homeless families need. Registered Social Landlords have been completing fewer homes2, when they need to start building more homes to meet demand. Statistics have also shown that many social housing units have been left empty, an increase of 10 % over the last year3. "Social Housing Providers need to build more homes. The Welsh Government need to get the house building market moving again. They also need to make use of the housing they already have, adapting their stock to meet the needs of those becoming unintentionally homeless and bringing empty homes back into use." ENDS 1 Homelessness, October - December 2012 2 Statistics: New House Building October - December 2012 3 Social housing vacancies, lettings and arrears, 2011-12 Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 14, 2013:
- Welsh Government needs to get their act together on Credit Unions
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called on Welsh Ministers to get their act together on the future of credit unions after an independent report accused them of sending "mixed messages", and warned that many could close or reduce in size this year. Mr. Black said: "The report concludes that the Welsh Government is expecting Credit Unions to deliver key social outcomes without being given the necessary resources to do that job. Ministers want Credit Unions to grow and become self-sufficient in money terms but many of them are too small and are struggling to break-even. Without a coherent plan and sufficient resources, nothing will change. "It is perfectly possible to design a mechanism whereby credit unions both become self-sufficient, and assist in achieving social outcomes we all agree are desirable. What is not possible is to encourage credit unions to achieve the second while expecting them to use the resources they are growing to achieve the first. That way lies disaster. "That is why we need a continuation of the Credit Union Action Plan from September 2013. As the report makes clear much has been achieved by the credit union sector despite the Welsh Government's confusion. If that progress is to continue, simply pulling the plug this September is not an option. "The Welsh Government must continue to support credit unions to achieve self-sufficiency in the next three years, whilst paying them to achieve agreed social objectives. "Some Welsh credit unions have already signed agreements with local authorities and housing providers to do just that, and are sharing that learning with others in the movement. Government Ministers should learn from this, and conclude similar agreements." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 13, 2013:
- Assembly Member calls for investment in modern medicines
  Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh Labour Government to view spending on modern medicines as an investment, rather than just a cost. They have hosted a debate in the Welsh Assembly are also calling on Ministers to extend the Health Technology Fund so as to support the development of new medicines. In budget negotiations last year, the Welsh Liberal Democrats proposed their idea of an innovative treatments fund, which the Welsh Government agreed to take forward with the creation of a £25million Health Technology Fund to fund medical equipment and IT over three years. Commenting, Peter Black, Assembly Member for South Wales West, said: "The Welsh Liberal Democrats held this debate because we believe Wales needs investment in new medicines and technology. We need to improve access to treatments for Welsh patients. "The Welsh Liberal Democrats proposed the idea of an Innovative Treatment Fund as we wanted to offer patients better access to innovative treatments that were not routinely available on the Welsh NHS. Disappointingly, the Welsh Labour Government has lacked ambition and has used the fund to replace existing equipment, rather than extending the availability of new drugs and funding equipment that we don't already have. "There is no hiding from the fact that we have a poor record in Wales of prescribing access to new treatments. Both Scotland and England have allocated funding to support the development of new medicines, but the Welsh Labour Government has refused to do likewise. This has left patients in Wales facing a postcode lottery, often unable to access the medicines they need. The people of Wales deserve better." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Important step forward taken in protecting mobile home owners
  New legislation to modernise the licensing regime Mobile Home Sites in Wales has taken a step closer towards becoming law after passing its first stage in the National Assembly for Wales. The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black is sponsoring the private members' Bill through the Assembly. He thanked members for their support today and predicted that it could be law by the summer. "The Bill will create a licensing regime that is a modern, fit-for-purpose framework that can be consistently implemented across Wales" said Mr. Black. "It will give local authorities the resources and powers to award and police licenses and to ensure site owners pass a fit and proper persons test. "The Bill will offer more protection to mobile home owners by ending the veto on new sales and providing protection for existing residents from frivolous sale blocking. It will protect the anonymity of members of residents' associations so as to avoid intimidation by site owners. "I look forward to Stage 2 proceedings, now starting after Whitsun recess, and the Bill being passed by the National Assembly before the Summer Recess begins." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 12, 2013:
- Assembly Member highlights poor house building statistics
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Peter Black has expressed his concern that house building in Wales is failing to keep pace with the demand for new homes. Mr. Black was speaking in the light of new statistics which show that up until the end of December 2012 the total number of completions recorded during 2012-13, for both the private sector and Registered Social Landlords, were lower than during the first three quarters of 2011-12. During 2011-12, the number of house building starts decreased for the first time since 2008-09, bringing the figure back down to a similar level to that seen at the beginning of the economic downturn in 2008-09. "Although the figures are variable across sectors the general impression given by these figures is a stagnant house-building market and the failure of the public sector to develop sufficient housing units to meet demand or government targets. "These figures highlight the need for the Welsh Government to get back on track in its provision of affordable homes, but also the need to launch the long-promised Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, agreed by the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Welsh Labour for the 2012-13 budget so as to enable first time buyers to take their first step on the housing ladder. ENDS Statistics: New House Building October - December 2012 Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 11, 2013:
- Local councils should lead from the front'
  Responding to the Welsh Government's publication of Vibrant and Viable Places: A New Regeneration Framework for Wales, Peter Black, Shadow Communities Minister, commented: "Given the economic crisis started back in 2008, it's about time the Welsh Labour Government delivered on a regeneration strategy. I welcome that one has finally been published today, but it is disappointing that it has taken quite this long. "Some of the proposals in this report appear to be worthy, but I am concerned that there isn't enough involvement with local councils who really should be leading from the front on regeneration. They, after all, understand better than anyone the needs of their local communities. "It is of concern to me that at a time when public finances are reducing, this strategy seems to focus on spending less public money differently, rather than developing innovative proposals to lever in private money. "Whilst Communities First's objectives were well meaning, it is clear it failed to deliver regeneration. Now the Welsh Labour Government has acknowledged the fundamental failings that were in the scheme, I will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure the scheme delivers the results needed to improve our communities. "Welsh Liberal Democrats want to see a stronger economy in a fairer society and it's essential the Welsh Government' regeneration programme reflects this." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 7, 2013:
- Social Housing providers fail to accommodate those who need a home
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Peter Black has expressed his concern at the number of social housing units being left vacant whilst people are stuck on waiting lists. The latest statistics show that both the number of vacant housing units and the percentage of vacant social housing stock increased over the last year. "At the end of March 2012, 3,943 families were left without roofs over their heads" said Mr Black, "whilst many housing units were left empty. This is a 10% increase over the previous year. "I am concerned that at a time of unprecedented demand we are not making the most of the housing stock that we have. The number of empty houses should not be increasing when more and more people need those houses as homes. Social Housing providers need to get their act together, turn around voids more quickly and adapt their stock to meet the need of those on their waiting list." ENDS Social housing vacancies, lettings and arrears, 2011-12 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/housing2013/social-housing-vacancies-lettings-arrears-2011-12/;jsessionid=1E6637EF586DEBB310A4F7C1C8AC2026?lang=en Housing White Paper "For better lives and communities": http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/housingcommunity/housewhitepaper/?lang=en&status=closed Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate 20.02.13: Empty Homes: http://www.assemblywales.org/docs/rop_xml/130220_plenary_bilingual.xml#63153 Voting Record: http://www.assemblywales.org/docs/rop_xml/130220_Plenary_Votes.xml First Minister Questions on Mortgage Rescue Scheme: http://www.assemblywales.org/docs/rop_xml/130305_plenary_bilingual.xml#69017 Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 6, 2013:
- Assembly Member welcomes government action on payday lenders
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed the report of a year-long government investigation into the activities of payday lenders which seeks to reduce the impact of payday lenders on poor communities. Among the actions to be taken by the Office of Fair Trading are forcing payday lenders to make their advertising clearer, stopping them from rolling loans over, and ceasing strong-arm debt recovery practices. Mr. Black said: "My postbag has shown me first-hand that too many working people in the region are being preyed upon by unscrupulous payday lenders. That is why I welcome the tough new powers being given to the Office of Fair Trading to tackle the 240 such lenders operating in the UK. "Payday lenders will be forced to clean up their act with regard to marketing, told to make sure people can afford to take a loan, stopped from continuously taking money from customers' accounts thus plunging them deeper and deeper into debt, and be required to act decently towards people in debt. "The Office of Fair Trading now has the power to take away the operating licence of any payday lender that ignores the rules, and I am delighted that the top 50 companies have been given just 90 days to clean up their act. "There are all too many cases in our region of people who borrow a small amount of money being charged eye-watering interest rates by companies such as Wonga with their typical APR of 4,214%, or Money Shop/Payday Express with their typical APR of 2,671%. "These new measures are an important step forward but I hope that the government can be persuaded to go further. There should be a cap on the total cost of credit to halt this financial abuse once and for all. When the Financial Conduct Authority takes over regulation in 2014 they should introduce one as quickly as possible. "In the meantime, those who are in financial difficulty should contact agencies such as their local CAB, the Money Advice Service, or their local Credit Union for advice and not go anywhere near these legal loan sharks." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 27, 2013:
- Welsh Government must put its money where its mouth is on housing
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Peter Black has expressed his concern that expenditure on Private Sector Housing Renewal has continued to fall despite the Welsh Government pledging in its National Housing Strategy that all households in Wales should have the opportunity to live in good quality homes. Statistics released today show that during 2011-12 expenditure on private sector renewal continued to fall, with overall spending, including Disabled Facility Grants, down by 3 per cent on the previous year to £54 million. "It is worrying that spending on the renewal of people's homes, including Disabled Facility Grants has fallen" said Mr. Black. "The Welsh Government says it is committed to 'improve the quality of existing homes' in both their Programme for Government 2011 -2016, and the Housing White Paper: 'Homes for Wales, A White Paper for Better Lives and Communities'. However, the Government is allowing expenditure on private sector renewal to fall. "It is also worrying that assistance from local authorities is moving away from grants, to loans and residents' contributions have increased. This is at a time when individuals are struggling themselves to make ends meet." ENDS Private Sector Renewal Activity Statistics Welsh Governments National Housing Strategy Programme for Government 2011 -2016 Housing White Paper: 'Homes for Wales, A White Paper for Better Lives and Communities Renewal Areas Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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