Plaid Cymru say Welsh Gov must hold Westminster to account ahead of Autumn Budget

Plaid Cymru are calling on the Labour Welsh Government to put pressure on the UK Labour Government to ensure five asks are included in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

Within these demands are:

• HS2 to be re-classified as an England-only project, and for Wales to receive the £4 billion they say is due from the project

• To replace the Barnett Formula with a needs-based formula that, they believe, prioritises the needs of the people of Wales

• For the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales, as has happened in Scotland

• An end to the two-child benefit cap

• The restoration of the Winter Fuel Payment.

Plaid Cymru finance spokesperson, Heledd Fychan MS said:

“For years in the run up to the UK General election, we were promised that things would be better once we had a UK Labour government. But this so-called ‘partnership in power’ hasn’t yet delivered for Wales."

“Labour in the Senedd used to agree with Plaid Cymru on HS2 reclassification and the £4bn owed to us in consequential; on replacing Barnett; and on the devolution of the crown estate. But evidently, they are not able to persuade their London bosses on any of these matters."

“In fact, on HS2, the Welsh Government claim to be making the case for HS2 cash, but only a few hundred million rather than the billions they were previously calling for.”

“Our calls today represent the necessary steps towards securing fairness for Wales and the funding owed to us. Plaid Cymru is clear - Labour must now deliver on the promises made to the people of Wales!"

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford said: “The UK Government has been in power for just three months, inheriting a budget deficit and mismanagement of the economy for fourteen years."

“Since the general election, there has been a marked improvement in the relationship between our two governments and

"I am looking forward to the Chancellor’s first Budget..."

...which will stabilise the public finances, boost funding for public services and prioritise growth.”

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement will come out later this month.

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