THE Welsh government was accused today of “a lack of candour” over its draft budget.

The finance committee questioned the budget for Wales ahead of a debate in the Senedd.

Finance committee chairman Peredur Owen Griffiths said: “We understand that the funding decisions facing the Welsh government are extraordinarily tough, but we were surprised and worried at the lack of candour in the draft budget.”

Finance minister Rebecca Evans was clearly stung by the remark and said that the public could misinterpret what had been said by the finance committee.

Ms Evans explained that this year’s budget was built on the three-year budget that had already been published, scrutinised and agreed by the Senedd last year.

She said: ”This has been a year where we have seen the ongoing impacts of inflation, three prime ministers, three chancellors, and the shocking mismanagement of public finances by the UK government.

“But despite this, our draft budget balances our response to the immediate crisis alongside investing in longer-term change.

“Our main priorities for the 2023-24 budget are protecting front-line public services, continuing to help those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis and supporting our economy through recessionary times.

“In this budget, I have allocated £165 million to the NHS, £70 million to deliver the real living wage for social care, and £227 million for local government.”

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said his party’s amendment to the budget would raise an extra £317 million by varying the rate of tax. 

“When we look across the world we have a lower rate of tax than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average.

“We believe now is the time to be honest with people. Money alone is not the answer, but, without it, there is no way out of this crisis.

“There are no cost-free options here and if we continue along the path that we are on then I fear for the future of our nation,” Mr Price said.

Peter Fox, for the Welsh Conservatives, set out a six-point plan that would put people’s priorities at the heart of the budget.

“Let us not forget that the only government in Britain to actually cut the NHS budget was a Labour government here in Wales in 2012,” Mr Fox said.

The vote on the budget and the amendments happened as the Star went to press.