Significant gaps in Budget on digital connectivity, transport, energy and R&D
Responding to the Spring Budget, Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson Ben Lake MP said:
“The extension of the Energy Price Guarantee to July will prevent a further increase to energy bills in April, but it is disappointing that the Chancellor failed to extend the Energy Bills Support Scheme or the Alternative Fuel Payments in today’s Budget. By opting for the status quo, the Chancellor has missed an opportunity to offer much needed support to off-grid households, and families that are already struggling with higher living costs.
“It is surprising that no commitment was made to ensuring fair pay increases for our public sector workers, and it is appalling that no mention was given in the Chancellor’s speech to improving digital connectivity. There needs to be significant and early investment digital connectivity and broadband infrastructure, transport links, renewable energy and research and development if we hope to realise Wales’ economic potential. The Chancellor’s silence on these issues today risks locking Wales into lower levels of development than wealthier areas of the UK.
“Plaid Cymru welcomes the belated funding for childcare in England, which must lead to full consequential funding to Wales. We are already on the front foot thanks to Plaid Cymru, with free childcare for two-year-olds extended through our Cooperation Agreement. The Labour government must now go faster and commit to using new funds to deliver Plaid Cymru's policy of universal childcare in full.”
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