WELSH nationalists will demand fair funding in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Statement during a Budget debate in the Senedd later today.
The Budget debate in the Welsh Parliament has been called by Plaid Cymru and is demanding the Welsh government put pressure on the UK Labour government to ensure five demands are included in next week’s Autumn Statement.
Plaid Cymru will call for the high-speed HS2 rail line to be reclassified as an England-only project, and for Wales to receive an alleged £4 billion it is due from the project.
It is also demanding fair funding for Wales, with the Barnett Formula replaced with a needs-based formula that prioritises the people of Wales.
The Welsh nationalist party also wants the devolution of the crown estate to Wales, to mirror the position in Scotland.
It is also calling for an end to the two-child benefit cap and the restoration of the winter fuel payment.
Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan said: “For years in the run-up to the general election, we were promised that things would be better once we had a UK Labour government.
“But this so-called ‘partnership in power’ hasn’t yet delivered for Wales.
“Labour in the Senedd used to agree with Plaid Cymru on HS2 reclassification and the £4bn owed to us in consequential funding, replacing Barnett and the devolution of the crown estate.”
Cabinet Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford will respond to the Senedd debate later today.
He told the Star: “The UK government has been in power for just three months, inheriting a budget deficit and mismanagement of the economy for 14 years.
“Since the general election, there has been a marked improvement in the relationship between our two governments and I am looking forward to the Chancellor’s first Budget which will stabilise the public finances, boost funding for public services and prioritise growth.”
The row was brought into First Minister Questions yesterday when Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth raised his party’s five demands with First Minister Eluned Morgan.
She responded: “Our priorities are clear and I have made the case again and again in my talks with UK government ministers.”
