Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Politics
Ruth Mosalski

Wales will get an extra £600m a year in UK Government's spending review

Chancellor Sajid Javid has laid out his plans for spending and he says £600m will go the Welsh Government - 2.3% in real terms growth.

The accompanying document says that the Government is "fully committed to strengthening the Union and making sure people throughout the United Kingdom can thrive and enjoy a prosperous future".

The Welsh Tories say that the £385million of the money coming to Wales is a consequence of extra cash being spent on the health service in England, and £195million because extra funding for schools in England.

On top of the £600m there is also an extra £20million of capital funding for Wales.

The Welsh Government will decide what it wants to spend the extra money on here.

However, finance minister Rebecca Evans has said it is "simply a pre-election distraction".

She said it does not return Welsh Government spending power to the levels of a decade ago.

"The Welsh Government budget for 2020-21 will be £300m lower in real terms compared with 2010-11," she tweeted.

Sajid Javid promised he was "turning the page on austerity" as he embarked on a pre-election spending spree, promising cash for health, schools and the police.

With Boris Johnson calling for a snap election, the Chancellor set out plans to increase current and capital spending by £13.4 billion in 2020-21 focused on the "people's priorities".

But shadow chancellor John McDonnell branded the statement a piece of "grubby electioneering" and accused the Government of "pretending to end austerity when they do nothing of the sort".

The spending plan for a single year was fast-tracked to clear the decks ahead of Brexit, with the normal multi-year settlement planned for next year.

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said it will be a "significant boost to the Welsh economy, the UK Government is providing the biggest ever day-to-day funding settlement for Wales".

"While it is the responsibility of the Welsh Government to spend the money as they see fit, I urge Welsh Ministers to use this prime opportunity to focus on delivering the public’s priorities - providing better healthcare, improving education and cutting the cost of living.

"The UK Government is further committed to doing its part to enhance the Welsh economy, increase opportunities for Welsh businesses worldwide and make our streets safer by also increasing funding to international trade projects, defence and criminal justice."

Welsh Conservative Shadow Finance Minister, Nick Ramsay AM, said: “This funding comes as a welcome boost to Wales, and represents confidence in our country and our future.

“It’s up to the Welsh Labour Government how this money is spent, but I urge Ministers to make the most effective use of the extra funding to improve public services and end their failings in education and health.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.