Welsh Conservatives have called on the Labour Government to deliver a budget that prioritises recovery in Wales’ economy and public services.
Shadow Finance Minister, Peter Fox MS, is calling for a package of measures that tackles deep-rooted problems in our health and social care services and support businesses as Wales continues to face ongoing challenges due to the pandemic.
Priority announcements for the Welsh Conservatives would include:
- A cancellation compensation fund to support businesses in wake of Omicron
- The introduction of regional surgical hubs to tackle the NHS waiting list backlog
- Additional funding to local authorities to help meet increasing social care pressures and to keep council tax bills down to ease pressure on families
- Business rates holiday extension to help firms recover from the pandemic
- An increase in pupil funding to rectify the underfunding of Welsh learners
- An increase in road and funding so Welsh infrastructure is fit for the 21st century.
Commenting ahead of the budget, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Finance, Peter Fox MS said:
“Labour have been responsible for running Wales since the days of Tony Blair, but along with their nationalist helpers, they’ve consistently failed to improve our economy and public services.
“As we continue to face challenges from the pandemic, Labour ministers must use this budget to prioritise Wales’ recovery and address societal pressures rather than wasteful socialist and nationalist pet projects such as constitutional change and more politicians.
“Welsh Conservatives want to see the urgent introduction of a compensation fund for businesses who are being hit by cancellations in the wake of Omicron, as well as the extension of the business rates holiday to help firms on the road to recovery, securing jobs across Wales.
“We also cannot afford to ignore other serious problems in public health and social care, and this is an opportune time for ministers to listen to our long-held calls for the introduction of regional surgical hubs so we can ease the pressure on hospitals and start tackling Labour’s huge NHS waiting list backlog.
“The Conservative UK Government has provided Labour ministers with record funding to deliver for Welsh communities – an extra £2.5 billion per year on average on top of its annual funding of £15.9 billion – and it’s vital this is used to help councils keep bills low for working families, rectifies the chronic underfunding of schools, and ensures our infrastructure is fit for the 21st century.
“This record budget must be invested wisely to deliver on the priorities of working people, and with a laser light focus on creating better paid jobs and delivering vital public services.”
Ends/
