Sir Keir Starmer hails "path of change" in first Welsh address as PM

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed a "path for change" for Wales in his first address to Welsh Labour as the head of government.

Starmer addressed delegates at the party's conference in Llandudno, as more details on the allocated budget for Wales were revealed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

In total, £21 billion will be allocated to Wales out of the national budget, with the money going towards the maintenance of services and the cutting of NHS waiting lists.

Among the plans outlined for the Welsh government's budget are an £160 million investment zone in eastern areas of the country, focusing specifically on Wrexham and Flintshire.

Welsh Labour won a total of 27 out of the 32 available seats during the general election, completely wiping out the Conservatives in Wales.

Other plans outlined by the Welsh government include £22 million in order to reduce NHS waiting lists in the country, on top of the initial £28 million already pledged.

However, despite the sweeping win for Labour during the election, some voters have been left disgruntled, with farmers set to stage a tractor protest outside the conference.

The farmers are demonstrating against inheritance tax changes unveiled by the Chancellor during the Budget last month.

Addressing delegates, Sir Keir said he would defend the budget "all day long" as he said it will benefit people in the long term.

"Make no mistake, I will defend our decisions in the Budget all day long," he said, before adding: "I will defend facing up to the harsh light of fiscal reality."

"I will defend the tough decisions that would necessary to stabilise our economy and I will defend protecting the pay slips of working people, fixing the foundations of our economy and investing in the future of Britain and the future of Wales, finally turning the page on austerity once and for all."

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