Latest news with #SavilleRoberts
North Wales Chronicle
30-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Crisis over North Wales dental care raised in Westminster
In a landmark intervention Liz Saville Roberts MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd has formally brought forward the issue for the first time in the House of Commons. Campaigners had been calling for a dental school to be established at Bangor University. Ms Saville Roberts highlighted the 'urgent' situation over the lack of basic dental care in her constituency, and across the UK. She cited a report commissioned by the Arfon MS Siân Gwenllian, which she said had presented a 'compelling case' for establishing the school in Bangor. 'Filling the Gaps' described the three distinct tiers of care which had developed. These included those who have access to NHS care, those who want to access NHS care, but are unable to do so, and, therefore, opt to go private, and then those who are unable to access NHS care and are unable to afford private dental care. It was also noted that patients in North Wales left without proper access to dental care put emergency hospital departments under 'additional pressure'. Earlier this year, politicians had reported horrific anecdotes from constituents suffering from the consequences engaging in DIY dental treatments, with the worst case scenarios resulting in sepsis. While the Welsh Government had acknowledged the potential benefits of the Bangor school, and the idea had won cross party support, the financial constraints on the public purse remained a barrier. It hoped the dental school could have a key role in training and retaining a dental workforce, provide jobs and investment whilst boosting Bangor as a 'centre of excellence in health,' alongside the medical school, opened last year. Ms Saville Roberts had called for a revision of Wales' financial settlement to help make the plan a reality, stressing the importance of both the UK and Welsh Governments 'working together'. Speaking in the Commons, the MP said: 'My constituents are facing a crisis endured by people across the UK: a lack of access to basic dental care. 'Siân Gwenllian, Member of the Senedd for Arfon, has commissioned a report that provides a compelling case for a dental school at Bangor University. 'While the Welsh Government have acknowledged the potential benefits of the proposal, they cite financial constraints. 'Given the promise of two Governments at both ends of the M4 working together, does the Leader of the House agree that time should be found to revise Wales's financial settlement to make this vital proposal a reality?' Replying, the Rt Hon Lucy Powell, the Labour (Co-op) MP for Manchester Central, who currently holds the Government post of Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons said: 'The right Hon. Lady is right to raise the issue of dental deserts, which we see across the country, not just in Wales. 'She will know that the previous Government did not invest in dentistry, and that has had a knock-on effect in Wales. 'Many colleagues have raised with me the need for more dental schools. 'I suggest that she clubs together with some colleagues to get a debate on that subject'.
South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Plaid Cymru MP criticises Palestine Action proscription
The party's Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, spoke out following the UK Government's decision to designate the pro-Palestine group as a terrorist organisation. She said: "Non-violent protest is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy, enabling people to challenge injustice and to hold those in power to account. "Banning organisations that speak out against war and genocide is a dangerous erosion of our fundamental right to free speech. "From Greenham Common to the Iraq War, history shows that non-violent direct action has been essential in shaping public discourse and advancing justice." She said that the UK 'prides itself' on protecting freedom of expression before highlighting that silencing those voices undermines democratic engagement. She added: "Proscribing Palestine Action appears to be a disproportionate and unnecessary move by the UK Government." Ms Saville Roberts said that it sets a worrying precedent for other countries across the world.
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Prime Minister apologises for 'overly rude' comment that North Wales MP 'talks rubbish'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sir Keir Starmer has apologised over his remark that a North Wales MP "talks rubbish," acknowledging it was "overly rude". During Tuesday's session at the despatch box, where he answered queries regarding the UK-EU deal, the Prime Minister extended an apology to Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader and MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, reports PA. Ms Saville Roberts addressed the Commons highlighting: "The Prime Minister once argued and we quote, 'we should retain the benefits of the single market'." She then posed a question to reflect on his past views, asking, "Given his recent tendency to dismiss the views of others, what would he say to his younger self?". To this Sir Keir responded with candour: "I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise." He continued, affirming respect for his colleague: "I do respect the honourable member." Responding to her question, the Prime Minister described "red lines" on the single market in Labour's 2024 manifesto and added the Government had "kept those red lines and delivered a very good deal". (Image: At last week's Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Ms Saville Roberts asked Sir Keir about a speech he made to launch the Government's Immigration White Paper. She said Sir Keir "once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants, and for defending free movement" but added he now "talks of 'islands of strangers' and 'taking back control'". Ms Saville Roberts asked: "It seems the only principle he consistently defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group. So I ask him, is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?" The Prime Minister replied: "Yes, the belief that she talks rubbish." He also told the Commons: "I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and as communities, not as strangers, and the loss of control of migration by the last government put all of that at risk, and that's why we're fixing the system based on principles of control, selection and fairness." Launching the Immigration White Paper last week, Sir Keir said in a speech that "nations depend on rules – fair rules" and added: "Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together." He said the strategy – including tougher English language requirements and a university degree threshold for skilled worker visa applicants – would help "take back control" of Britain's borders and "close the book on a squalid chapter for our politics, our economy and our country". Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
21-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Prime Minister apologises for 'rude' comment that North Wales MP 'talks rubbish'
Sir Keir Starmer has apologised over his remark that a North Wales MP "talks rubbish," acknowledging it was "overly rude". During Tuesday's session at the despatch box, where he answered queries regarding the UK-EU deal, the Prime Minister extended an apology to Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader and MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, reports PA. Ms Saville Roberts addressed the Commons highlighting: "The Prime Minister once argued and we quote, 'we should retain the benefits of the single market'." She then posed a question to reflect on his past views, asking, "Given his recent tendency to dismiss the views of others, what would he say to his younger self?". To this Sir Keir responded with candour: "I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise." He continued, affirming respect for his colleague: "I do respect the honourable member." Responding to her question, the Prime Minister described "red lines" on the single market in Labour's 2024 manifesto and added the Government had "kept those red lines and delivered a very good deal". Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts (Image: At last week's Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Ms Saville Roberts asked Sir Keir about a speech he made to launch the Government's Immigration White Paper. She said Sir Keir "once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants, and for defending free movement" but added he now "talks of 'islands of strangers' and 'taking back control'". Ms Saville Roberts asked: "It seems the only principle he consistently defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group. So I ask him, is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?" The Prime Minister replied: "Yes, the belief that she talks rubbish." He also told the Commons: "I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and as communities, not as strangers, and the loss of control of migration by the last government put all of that at risk, and that's why we're fixing the system based on principles of control, selection and fairness." Launching the Immigration White Paper last week, Sir Keir said in a speech that "nations depend on rules – fair rules" and added: "Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together." He said the strategy – including tougher English language requirements and a university degree threshold for skilled worker visa applicants – would help "take back control" of Britain's borders and "close the book on a squalid chapter for our politics, our economy and our country". Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
21-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Prime Minister apologises for 'overly rude' comment that North Wales MP 'talks rubbish'
Sir Keir Starmer has apologised over his remark that a North Wales MP "talks rubbish," acknowledging it was "overly rude". During Tuesday's session at the despatch box, where he answered queries regarding the UK-EU deal, the Prime Minister extended an apology to Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader and MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, reports PA. Ms Saville Roberts addressed the Commons highlighting: "The Prime Minister once argued and we quote, 'we should retain the benefits of the single market'." She then posed a question to reflect on his past views, asking, "Given his recent tendency to dismiss the views of others, what would he say to his younger self?". To this Sir Keir responded with candour: "I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise." He continued, affirming respect for his colleague: "I do respect the honourable member." Responding to her question, the Prime Minister described "red lines" on the single market in Labour's 2024 manifesto and added the Government had "kept those red lines and delivered a very good deal". At last week's Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Ms Saville Roberts asked Sir Keir about a speech he made to launch the Government's Immigration White Paper. She said Sir Keir "once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants, and for defending free movement" but added he now "talks of 'islands of strangers' and 'taking back control'". Ms Saville Roberts asked: "It seems the only principle he consistently defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group. So I ask him, is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?" The Prime Minister replied: "Yes, the belief that she talks rubbish." He also told the Commons: "I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and as communities, not as strangers, and the loss of control of migration by the last government put all of that at risk, and that's why we're fixing the system based on principles of control, selection and fairness." Launching the Immigration White Paper last week, Sir Keir said in a speech that "nations depend on rules – fair rules" and added: "Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together." He said the strategy – including tougher English language requirements and a university degree threshold for skilled worker visa applicants – would help "take back control" of Britain's borders and "close the book on a squalid chapter for our politics, our economy and our country".
