4 February 2019 – today’s press releases

Welsh Liberal Democrats recommit to supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing

To mark the beginning of Children’s Mental Health Week (4th February – 10th February), the Welsh Liberal Democrats are recommitting to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Wales’ children and young people.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Minister has taken a number of steps intended to promote mental health and wellbeing in schools. This includes developing a whole-school approach to mental health, connecting schools with mental health expertise, and taking forward curriculum reform with a strong emphasis on mental health and wellbeing.

Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, commented:

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have worked tirelessly to raise the importance of mental health on the political agenda. Improving people’s mental health has been a long-term priority that we took into the Welsh Government. Children’s Mental Health Week is an important opportunity to recommit to continue this work.

Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Minister, added:

Our education system has a vital role to play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people. As Education Minister this has been – and will continue to be – an absolute priority of mine.

Cable: Govt fails to back up no deal threat

The Liberal Democrats have uncovered that the Northern Ireland Office have not allocated funds to spend in the event of No Deal Brexit.

The Northern Ireland Office responded to a written question from the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable, confirming that no funds had been set aside in the event of No Deal Brexit.

It is expected that Northern Ireland would be the most affected area in the country if the Conservative Government push the UK into a No Deal Brexit.

Commenting on the revelations Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable said:

It is astonishing that the Prime Minister is trying to persuade people that No Deal is a real prospect, while making no particular preparations for it in the place it would matter most – Northern Ireland.

For people living there, this is not just a matter of trade and economics. The prospect of the hard border which ‘No Deal’ represents is a threat to peaceful everyday life. I asked this question because of growing concerns that the Government is not prepared and this shows it is not.

If the Government is serious about letting Britain crash out of the EU, there should be a dedicated unit in the Northern Ireland office, preparing for this eventuality.

We can only conclude that the No Deal threat is a false one. When the current staring competition with Brussels concludes, the only real answer will still be a People’s Vote, with an option to remain in the EU.

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