Plaid request ‘urgent’ government budget meeting

Plaid Cymru have requested an urgent meeting with the Welsh Government’s Finance Minister Mark Drakeford over ‘serious concerns’ about cuts to local government following the budget announcement.

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Finance, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM said,

“I am writing to Finance Minister Mark Drakeford with urgency to request a meeting to discuss the recent Welsh Government budget.

“We have serious concerns regarding the cuts to Local Government and the devastating impact it could have on Education and Social Services. These cuts are severe and substantial and worse than anyone could reasonably have expected.

“The WLGA and council leaders have all expressed deep concerns at the cuts and Labour members, including minister Hannay Blythyn have slammed the Labour budget. Another Minister Alun Davies chose to attack councillors, telling them to stop complaining.

“This is a Labour austerity budget. Councils are facing a situation where they will simply not be able to provide essential services to the public. This is not acceptable. I want a rethink, and for an assurance that increasing council funding will be a priority for Welsh Government should new finances become available in the forthcoming UK budget.”

Plaid Cymru and the Labour-led Welsh government entered into a budget agreement in October last year.