A little less conversation, a little more action please - Williams

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Nov 2008

Speaking ahead of the Welsh Liberal Democrat debate on the current state of the economy, Kirsty Williams, Welsh Lib Dem spokesperson for the Economy, has criticised the Labour-Plaid government for failing to meet the needs of the people struggling the most during the economic downturn.

With two All-Wales economic summits already convened and an apparent lack of definitive action being taken, the Labour-Plaid Government seems focused on studying the recession rather than doing something about it. Kirsty Williams said:

"Not only are people saddled with incredibly high levels of debt which they were already struggling with, add this to the very real threat of job losses in many industries, rising energy costs, negative equity in people's homes, the very idea of this coming recession is very frightening to many people.

"The economy is still declining, making it more difficult for more people to have even the most basic necessities and this Labour-Plaid Government only seems focused on studying the recession rather than doing something about it.

"It is time for the Labour-Plaid Government to react to what has been a long time in the making. We need to find a way to bring not only more jobs to the people of Wales, but a way to bring more income into their pockets over the long term.

"As well as taking action over the current economic crisis, this Government needs to look at longer term strategies of making sure that we have a skilled and educated workforce so that we are better prepared to face a possible future economic downturn.

"It is time for action now. It is time for the Labour-Palid Government to ensure that Westminster is being responsive to the economic crisis faced in Wales and that they use the powers they have to ease the financial burden of many families.

"As a government of Wales, they must recognise that the current economic situation is devastating. It is devastating in so many ways and to so many people that they must take more urgent action.

"In the current economic crisis, the Assembly Government should be clear about its priorities and what it intends to do. They should be focusing on what will impact directly on people across Wales - on what will help people through the coming recession. Most importantly, the Assembly Government needs to be quick to respond. But what we've seen over the last couple of months shows that this Labour-Plaid government is failing to act to help the people of Wales."