Extra money from Treasury to support Wales as Omicron cases rise

The UK Government has doubled the amount of additional funding available for the governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to tackle Covid.

This means the Devolved Administrations can now spend an additional £860 million, increased from the initial £430 million announced earlier this week.

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has confirmed this increased funding following discussions with the Devolved Administrations. This will continue to ensure the Devolved Administrations can take the Covid precautions they feel are necessary to keep people safe.

The additional amounts now being provided to each government on top of their Autumn Budget 2021 funding are:

Scottish Government - £440 million

Welsh Government - £270 million

Northern Ireland Executive - £150 million

These amounts will continue to be kept under review

These are additional amounts on top of the combined £77.6 billion confirmed for this year at the Autumn Budget 2021.

It means that the Devolved Administrations have the certainty they requested to spend additional funding now rather than waiting for Supplementary Estimates in the new year.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Following discussions with the Devolved Administrations, we are now doubling the additional funding available.

“We will continue to listen to and work with the Devolved Administrations in the face of this serious health crisis to ensure we’re getting the booster to people all over the UK and that people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are supported.”