Plaid Cymru Ceredigion Your representatives in Ceredigion

Ben Lake MP says party is being a ‘serious and constructive opposition’ to Labour UK Government

Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson, Ben Lake MP, has today (Tuesday 16 July) tabled an amendment to the King’s Speech to put Welsh public services “back on a sustainable footing” through a needs-based funding formula.

Mr Lake pointed out that Labour was elected on a manifesto that promised “no return to austerity”, but that public services were facing “eye-watering budget gaps”. He said that multi-year funding settlements for the Welsh Government would provide public services with “greater clarity on their budgets”.

The Ceredigion Preseli MP also reiterated his party’s call for Wales to receive full consequential funding from HS2 and other English infrastructure projects. He pointed out that all parties in the Senedd support the principle, including the ruling Labour Party. On a UK level, however, Labour have refused to commit to the principle.

Ben Lake MP said:

“Welsh public services are under severe strain, with Cardiff Council just the latest to announce an eye-watering budget gap of almost £50 million next year. A new Labour UK Government, elected on a manifesto promise of ‘no return to austerity’, must demonstrate in this King’s Speech how it plans to put our public services back on a sustainable footing.

“Plaid Cymru has tabled an amendment to the King’s Speech which would establish a needs-based funding formula for Wales, that would more adequately account for factors such as relative poverty levels, ill health, and the percentage of children and retired people in the population.

“Our amendment would also see the introduction of multi-year funding settlements for the Welsh Government, moving away from the current, ad-hoc funding process which prevents more effective budget setting that would provide public services with greater clarity on their budgets.

“We also call for a reformed fiscal framework to ensure that Wales receives full consequential funding from HS2 and other English infrastructure projects by mandating that Wales' funding comparability factor for these and future transport projects is set at 100%. This call is supported by all parties in the Senedd, including the ruling Labour Party.

“Plaid Cymru is ready to be a serious and constructive opposition to the Labour UK Government. We will hold the Government to account for its promises to Wales and use every opportunity to secure a fairer deal for the people of Wales.”