"This is good news for train passengers. The Liberal Democrats are determined to stand up for passengers and I am glad the Coalition has done the right thing and protected them from the planned increase.

"Liberal Democrats want to see rail fares come down after years of Labour pushing them up above inflation, but as the Coalition deals with the mess we inherited from Labour it has not been possible to go as far as we would like.

"Liberal Democrats have cut taxes for working people and scrapping the fare hike is another sign of how we are determined to do as much as possible to give people practical help in difficult times."

The Liberal Democrats have today announced the appointment of Tim Gordon as the Party's new Chief Executive.

Tim will take up this position on 9 January 2012.

Party President, Tim Farron, who headed the appointment panel, said:

"Tim Gordon brings to the role a lifetime of commitment to the Party, as a volunteer, campaigner and candidate but also a strong commercial background and clearly demonstrated leadership qualities."

"In uncertain times we need strong leaders in Europe who are prepared to do the right thing in very difficult circumstances.

"That's why I think Sir Graham will be a great leader for Liberals in Europe. His skill and wealth of experience will be invaluable as he brings people together to face these huge challenges.

"I have known Sir Graham for many years and he has always been a strong, passionate voice for the cause of Liberalism."

£450 to children most in need and £38.9 million to boost the economy

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have agreed to support the Welsh Labour Government's 2012-2013 Budget on the basis of securing £32.04 million, of which £20 million is new money, for a Welsh pupil premium to reduce the impact of poverty on educational attainment.

In addition, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have been able to agree an Economic Stimulus Package of £38.9 million to be spent on a range of measures to stimulate the economy and protect jobs.

During her speech to Liberal Democrat Conference in Birmingham in September, Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

"I welcome Professor Harrington's conclusion that the work done by the Coalition Government since his last review has meant the WCA process has changed for the better. Liberal Democrats have led the way in calling for a system of assessment that is fairer, more compassionate and more accurate.

"I strongly support his conclusion that the DWP should work with charities to develop evidence-based assessment criteria to ensure fluctuating or hidden conditions such as pain or fatigue are properly assessed. This is exactly the kind of action we called for at the Lib Dem Conference in September.

"I am also pleased the Coalition Government will consult on giving cancer suffers receiving oral chemotherapy equal access to the Support Group of employment and support allowance as those receiving other forms of chemotherapy. This would be an overdue change and I hope that the consultation is successful.

"While there is clearly more that needs to be done, Harrington's report shows the progress the Coalition Government has already made. It is clear that the process left behind by Labour failed far too many sick and disabled people."

"With youth unemployment rising considerably under Labour and currently standing at a worryingly high level, the Coalition Government is determined to ensure we don't lose a generation of young people because of the mistakes of this generation.

"We know that school leavers being out of work for a long period of time can have a drastic effect on the rest of their lives. So today's announcement by Nick Clegg will ensure that every young person has the start in life that they deserve. What makes this package unique is that it gets young people into training or lasting employment, ensuring they don't fall behind.

"When money is tight, Liberal Democrats are determined to do the right thing and prioritise the future of our young people. We will make sure those who are willing and able have the opportunities and support they need to make sure no one falls behind."

Unlocking the housing market

The Coalition Government has launched a radical and ambitious Housing Strategy
this week that recognises the importance of kick-starting the housing market. It aims to break the cycle in which lenders won't lend, builders can't build and the buyers can't buy.
The new housing strategy has two main aims: firstly, to help drive local economies, create jobs and provide a much-needed boost to employment and secondly, to spread opportunity in society.

The Strategy will receive £400m of funding and will target those schemes that have stalled through lack of development finance. This will help to unlock the construction of 16,000 homes and support up to 32,000 jobs. It comes on top of a £500m Growing Places fund
for development that the Coalition Government announced earlier this month.

The aim is to ensure that all jobless young people are earning or learning again before long term damage is done. Over three years, the Youth Contract will provide at least 410,000 new work places for 18 to 24 year olds into work.

The Youth contract includes:

• 160,000 wage subsidies and 250,000 new work experience placements.
• There will be at least 20,000 more incentive payments to encourage employers to take on young apprentices.
• And there will be a new programme to help the most disengaged 16 and 17 year olds - getting them back to school or college, onto an apprenticeship or into a job with training.

"The excessive rises in executive pay are clearly unfair. They bear little or no relation to improvements in long-term company performance. This is particularly corrosive at a time when millions of workers are feeling the pinch.

"This report underlines the urgency of the work that Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable is doing to bring rewards back into line with performance.

"As a Liberal Democrat, my overriding priority is to stop top pay spiralling to ever higher levels and to reduce the often obscene differential between top pay and the salaries of the vast majority of employees.

"It is crucial that the proposals are now adopted by the Government without delay"

"Money currently plays far too big a role in politics and the Liberal Democrats have long called for major reform in party funding.

"Any move to limit undue influence on the political process by private individuals, businesses and the Trade Unions can only be a good thing.

"There has been much talk of political reform over the years, but nothing has happened. Parties dependent on money from the unions and big business have always have worked to block reform, determined to protect the secrecy of their paymasters.

"The Kelly report goes a long way to open the murky world of party funding. While it is clear now is not the time for more public money to be spent on politicians, that shouldn't stop us taking immediate action to reform political funding, hopefully by consensus."