THE impact of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement reverberated throughout First Minister’s questions today as Senedd members lined up to ask about its impact on Wales.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan wanted a progress report on the 29 recommendations made by the Welsh government’s expert group on the cost-of-living crisis.

Mark Drakeford said that progress had been made on “housing and homelessness, income maximisation and reducing the cost of the school day.”

But the First Minister made it clear that the Welsh government did not have the funds to fulfil all 29 recommendations and that “hard choices are being made, informed by the expert group report.”

Welsh Labour’s Alun Davies slammed the British government’s autumn statement for giving more money to the rich and “funnelling more money back into London and the south-east, with London gaining £316 while Wales only received £211.”

Mr Drakeford said the Tories had claimed that austerity was over, but “that is exactly what we heard on Wednesday of last week, a return to austerity policies.”

Labour’s Huw Irranca-Davies wanted fair funding for Wales for rail investment and coal-tip safety work.

“One of the most shocking parts of the autumn statement is that next year for investment in the tourism industry, schools and hospitals the Welsh government will get £6 million,” Mr Drakeford told the Senedd.

“The people of Wales are negatively affected by the Chancellor’s statement and no additional investment in public services.

“Twenty billion pounds are to be rushed forward in tax cuts on January 1 and while the UK government is taking more tax than ever before, it will not invest in public services.”