Wales left ‘short-changed’ by UK budget

Local TV

Opposition Senedd members have said Wales has been left nothing but an afterthought in the recent UK budget, but have said they welcome some policies, like scrapping the two-child benefit cap. The First Minister praised the budget, but some items she’s asked for have been left off.

Transcript

00:00It was one of the most highly anticipated budgets in recent memory, and the reactions

00:04are coming in from across the political spectrum as Rachel Reeves delivered her autumn budget

00:09for the upcoming financial year.

00:11Here in Wales the response has been mixed, with some, especially those in Welsh Labour

00:14Party, praising it, but others saying Wales has been forgotten about, as per usual.

00:19Conservative MS Sam Rowland described it as an omni-shambles, saying it delivered uncertainty,

00:24instability and neglect, instead of long-term investment for Welsh families, businesses

00:28and communities.

00:30Plaid Cymru MS's welcomed the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, but criticised

00:34the budget for failing to address outdated and unfair funding arrangements for Wales.

00:39Party leader Threenap Yodworth said it was another example of Wales being shortchanged.

00:43Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds also condemned the budget, saying Wales remained an afterthought.

00:48She highlighted missed opportunities, including no progress on Crown Estate, Fair HS2 funding

00:54issues or investing in Welsh tidal and offshore wind sectors.

00:58The Welsh Labour government, however, welcomed the measures.

01:00First Minister Elie Ned Morgan said the budget would put more money in people's pockets,

01:04support energy bills, increase the minimum wage and benefit pensioners.

01:08She praised the decision to scrap the two-child benefit limit, saying it would help tackle

01:12child poverty.

01:13She said the increased fiscal flexibilities would allow the Welsh government to provide

01:17additional treatments in the NHS and support public services and economic growth, giving

01:22Wales a more durable financial settlement.

01:24The contrasting reactions underline the ongoing debate in Wales over how UK budgets balance

01:29national priorities with local needs.

01:32Funding streams like the Barnet Formula will be on the debate sheet over the next few months.

01:36And while there are some decisions in the budget that have gone down well, there's plenty

01:39left to be desired on this side of the Severn Bridge.

01:41James Peach Watkins reporting for Local TV.

01:43James Peach Watkins reporting for Local TV.

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