Welsh Liberal Democrats say extra funding for public services is “positive first step” but more needs to be done

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have described the budget agreement announced today by the Welsh Government as a “positive first step,” but they argue much more needs to be done to make Wales the fairer and more prosperous country they want it to be.

Under the agreement Jane Dodds MS has agreed to abstain on the budget in exchange for over £100m worth of extra funding for public services.

Key elements of the budget agreement include: 

• an extra £30m to deliver the childcare element of the Flying Start programme to all two-year olds across Wales, 
• £30m more for social care to target delayed discharges in our hospitals, 
• an extra £5m to tackle water pollution in our rivers and seas, 
• £15m to fund a pilot scheme for young people aged 21 and under to only pay £1 for a single bus fare in Wales,
• more funding for councils across Wales.

Welsh Liberal Democrats say the impact of not passing a budget was too damaging for them not to put party politics to one-side and work with the Welsh Government. Failure to pass a budget on 4th March would have resulted in Wales losing around £5bn worth of funding.

Jane Dodds MS said: 

“I’m proud that this agreement will take real action on key Welsh Liberal Democrat priorities of improving social care, increasing the provision of free quality childcare and tackling river pollution.

“Today’s announcement is a positive first step in delivering the ambitious change the Welsh Liberal Democrats want to see.

“We knew entering into this process that we weren’t going to fix decades of government failures at both ends of the M4 in a single budget, but we have tried to put party politics to one-side in order to get a better deal for people across Wales.

“I hope most people would say that more money to tackle Wales’ social care crisis, improve childcare and clean up our rivers are the types of actions they want their politicians to take.

“But the sad truth is, despite it being a better settlement than the Conservatives have delivered in recent years, I believe that Wales is still being let down by Labour in Westminster. Wales needs a fairer deal from the UK Government and I think it’s urgent that they devolve the Welsh Crown Estate and deliver additional funds as a result of HS2 consequentials.

“Even with the positive changes in the budget agreement, the failure to have a fair deal from Labour in Westminster means it’s impossible for the Welsh Government to deliver the kind of public services people across Wales deserve.

“I agree with those who are demanding better from their Government, it’s right they want a better future, but unlike other political parties, I wasn't willing to see our public services loose £5bn worth of funding, therefore, I will be abstaining in the budget vote on 4th March.”

ENDS

Key elements of the budget agreement include:

• An extra £30m for childcare, which will ensure funding for the Flying Start programme to deliver childcare to two-year-olds across Wales. The hourly rate will also be increased to £6.40 an hour to further support childcare providers.
• £30m more for social care to target delayed hospital discharges and provide more care and support in local communities to prevent people being admitted to hospital unnecessarily.
• A guaranteed 3.8% funding floor for all local authorities, costing £8.24m. This will increase funding available to nine local authorities – Monmouthshire, Powys, Gwynedd, Vale of Glamorgan, Flintshire, Pembrokeshire, Ynys Mon Ceredigion and Conwy.

The agreement includes a commitment to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales.

And it includes further funding for local government:

• £5m to improve playgrounds and play facilities for children.
• An extra £5m to support leisure centres to be more energy efficient.

For transport:

• £15m to fund a pilot scheme for young people aged 21 and under to pay only £1 for a single bus fare in Wales.
• Extra support to create a £120m local authority road and pavement repair scheme.
• Funding to restore the fifth train service on the Heart of Wales line.
• £500,000 capital funding to improve toilets on main roads across Wales.
   

For environment and rural affairs:

• £5m extra to tackle water pollution in our rivers and seas.
• An extra £10m for rural investment schemes.