Plaid Cymru ministers say they want extra cash for railways and public services in Wales ahead of the UK government's Budget on Wednesday. Welsh Finance Minister Elin Jones called for the Chancellor John Healey to set out a spending plan that "finally treats us fairly". The Budget announces Westminster's tax and spending plans for the year ahead - and more cash given to English public services could result in extra spending in Wales where they are devolved.
A UK government spokesperson said the chancellor would focus on giving households and businesses "a bit of breathing space where we can". Minimum wage set to rise but 18-20 year-olds will not get bigger increase Healey to shield low-income pensioners from income tax in the Budget Meanwhile, shoppers in one of Wales' busiest markets told BBC Wales that once again the cost of living was their biggest concern before the spending announcement. Any extra spending for things in England that are controlled in Wales by the Welsh government - like healthcare, schools and roads - could trigger additional cash for the country.
Elin Jones had asked the chancellor to bring forward £1bn of the £14bn the UK Labour government had promised for long-term rail funding in Wales. She also asked for extra money to help the Welsh government set its budget for 2027-28, which currently faces a real-term cut in day-to-day spending. She previously claimed Wednesday's settlement could be the worst for the Welsh government since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jones said Wales had been short-changed "for years". "This UK Budget is the moment of truth, and we need the chancellor to act, not just acknowledge the problem," she said. "Wales pulls its weight in the UK economy.
Now we need the UK government to match that ambition with action and deliver a budget that finally treats us fairly." There have also been calls from Labour MP Nia Griffith to give the Welsh government greater flexibility to borrow to fund investment projects. A senior Welsh Labour source said they had been "pressing really hard for fiscal flexibility", along the lines of Griffith's request. Ahead of Wednesday's announcement, shoppers and traders at Swansea Market said the cost of living was their biggest concern.
"Will we be able to see through the winter without having to borrow money," said shopper Louise. "It's quite a worry." Like others at the market, Louise admitted feeling "anxious" about the winter, despite having saved some money with her supplier. Help with energy costs was the top of many people's lists of things they wanted help with in the Budget.
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