Wales reporter

TEACHERS’ leaders slammed the release of the Welsh government’s draft budget details yesterday, saying it “will do nothing to rescue schools.”

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford provided further details of the Welsh government’s £27 billion draft budget showing increases in line with inflation forecasts of 2 per cent for all key departments.

The former First Minister said the departmental spending plans show the government’s commitment to protecting vital public services, while maintaining stability ahead of the Senedd election.

Mr Drakeford said his budget sets out more than £800 million of additional funding compared to last year’s budget, with protected funding for health, education and other essential services.

“These spending plans show how we’re protecting the services people rely on most, and every key department will see increased funding, providing the stability our public services need,” Mr Drakeford said.

But NAHT Cymru’s Laura Doel said: “This budget will do nothing to rescue schools across Wales, which are at a crisis point when it comes to funding.

“Local authorities are predicting a £137 million budget shortfall for schools in 2026/27.”

Ms Doel said the draft budget did not show any significant increase for local government, where schools get their core funding from.

The Welsh Labour government is short of a majority in the Senedd and will need at least three other opposition members to abstain, or for two to vote with them to pass the budget.

Mr Drakeford insisted that Welsh Labour was open to working with other parties in the Senedd and has kept back £380m in order to allow for deals with other parties in exchange for their support.

There have even been talks at the instigation of the Welsh Tories about a budget deal where stamp duty, known as the Land Transaction Tax, is scrapped.

“This government cannot sit back and do nothing for fear of not being able to pass a progressive budget without a Labour majority,” Ms Doel said.

“There is a significant amount of unallocated funding sitting there, which could be used to support vital front-line services like schools.

“Instead, there is a real risk this could be frittered away as part of any deal to get this Budget passed.”

Public-sector trade unions will also be concerned at the 2.2 per cent allocated in the budget to cover next year’s pay rises.