Welsh Conservatives have outlined their immediate six-point action plan that would put people’s priorities at the heart of the Welsh Government budget, instead of Labour’s plans which would see real terms cuts to the health, social services and education budgets.
The action plan puts cutting Welsh NHS waiting lists, currently the longest in the UK, freezing council tax to help with the cost of living and supporting businesses to create jobs to the front, as opposed to Labour’s pet projects, including their Constitutional Commission, Senedd Reform and spending money on non-devolved areas. The Welsh Conservatives action plan reprioritises £100 million in the budget to put the people of Wales first.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Finance Minister, Peter Fox MS said:
“Only in Labour run Wales do we see cuts to the Welsh NHS. They did it before in 2012 and they’re doing it again in 2023. Why are Labour not prioritising the Welsh NHS at time when it needs it most?
“The Welsh Government receives £1.20 for every £1 spent in England, yet Labour have consistently failed to address the people’s priorities. Waiting lists are the longest in the UK, the Welsh economy is being throttled and our children’s futures are being held back.
“The people of Wales are some of the most innovative, hardworking and aspirational people in the world. Our potential needs to be unlocked by a Welsh Government that makes the right political choices.
“Our action plan brings fresh ideas to address the longstanding issues we have had to endure under Labour, to help bill payers, entrepreneurs, young people and those on NHS waiting lists. We will deliver on the people’s priorities.”
Welsh Conservative Action Plan – delivering the people’s priorities:
• Clearing the backlogs with Care Hotels
• Surgical hubs to end waiting Wales
• Supporting microbusiness to grow
• Future proofing Welsh businesses
• Freezing Council Tax to help with the Cost of Living
• Kickstarting empty houses back into homes
Ends.
Note to editors:
- Health and social services is set to experience a real terms cut of £340million, and education £300million.
- This is despite an additional £1.2bn in Barnett consequentials being provided by the UK Conservative Government in advance of this budget.
- This follows on from the Spending Review where the Welsh Government budget would be on average £2.5 billion higher than the baseline for the next three years.
- The budget’s allocations and BEL spreadsheet, detailing the figures can be found here.
