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Budget “not serious” as Wales gets £450m boost

By Drooid · Oct 31, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham met Wales First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth in Glasgow on regional empowerment.
Rhun ap Iorwerth said Wales will reach borrowing parity with Scotland, a matter of when.
He called the Budget “not serious about Wales,” labeling rail funding paltry and warning of real-terms cuts.
The Budget added £450 million for Wales over three years.
Burnham pledged further devolution of youth employment support to Wales.

Summary

Welsh Government is negotiating with the UK Treasury for a tax exemption needed for the Cynnal pilot.
The Cynnal pilot would pay £10 weekly to families identified as most in need.
Granting the exemption would let the Welsh Government fund the pilot without breaching fiscal rules.
Increased fiscal flexibilities could allow the government to shift unused capital-budget funds to NHS day-to-day pressures.

History

After a 1979 referendum rejected a Welsh Assembly by 79.7% of voters, Labour’s 1997 pre-legislative vote on 18 September narrowly approved devolution with 50.3% support, prompting the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the Assembly’s 1999 launch. Subsequent reforms, notably the 2011 vote granting primary law-making, have set the stage for current talks between the UK government and the Welsh Government on expanding fiscal powers.

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After a 1979 referendum rejected a Welsh Assembly by 79.7% of voters, Labour’s 1997 pre-legislative vote on 18 September narrowly approved devolution with 50.3% support, prompting the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the Assembly’s 1999 launch. Subsequent reforms, notably the 2011 vote granting primary law-making, have set the stage for current talks between the UK government and the Welsh Government on expanding fiscal powers.

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