FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday 8th March 2022
Responding to today’s Budget debate, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Finance Minister, Peter Fox MS said:
“It is disappointing to see that, once again, very little has changed since the publication of the draft budget. Welsh Conservatives have called on Labour Ministers in Cardiff Bay to use the extra £2.5 billion a year on average, on top of the £15.9 billion from the Chancellor, to support Welsh families and businesses to ensure that Wales becomes a prosperous nation, yet this budget remains unimaginative and stale.
“While the Labour Government has listened to our calls for the scrapping of all Covid laws by the end of March, it is vital that Ministers in Cardiff Bay now look to using the money provided by the UK Government to invest in Wales. Business as usual simply will not be good enough.
“This budget will need to go further, recognising the significant economic impact that the unprovoked and cruel Russian invasion of Ukraine will have on people in Wales, exacerbating current cost of living pressures. Furthermore, Labour ministers need to recognise the fact that, while Wales has been declared a sanctuary for refugees, public services will need more support to accommodate and welcome our Ukrainian friends.
“Welsh Conservatives are reiterating calls for the extra investment provided by the Chancellor to be used to increase pupil funding to rectify historic underfunding of Welsh learners, urgent action to tackle the worst waiting lists in the UK and invest in Labour’s aging transport system. These calls aren’t what we want. It’s what Wales needs.”
Ends/
