Todayโs Budget was an opportunity to deliver the investment Wales needs with a pro-Union Budget.
Better roads. Faster, more reliable railways. Stronger defence and more skilled jobs.
Instead, we have:
โ Growth downgraded โ next yearโs forecast cut from 1.6% to just 1%.
โ Debt continuing to rise โ with billions being spent on interest payments instead of public services and infrastructure.
โ Welfare spending rising โ with growing costs from disability-related benefits and pensions, and more seven-year-olds claiming disability benefits than 50-year-olds.
โ Recycled rail announcements โ a railway station in Cardiff that was already planned, but no meaningful commitment to improving Walesโs wider rail network.
โ No major Welsh road improvements โ nothing for the M4, A40 or A55.
โ Wales still missing out on its fair share of defence spending โ and the skilled jobs and investment that should come with it.
Wales needs investment that improves transport, strengthens our economy, supports businesses and creates jobs.
We need delivery, not another round of announcements - @DarrenMillarMS
This afternoon, we need to see a pro-Union Budget that delivers for families across the UK securing:
๐ฃ๏ธ M4 relief road and upgrades to A55
๐ Electrification of the North Wales Mainline
โฝ๏ธ Freeze in petrol and diesel duty
โก๏ธ Help with heating bills
๐ฝ๏ธ Support for hospitality
๐ฐ Cuts to welfare to fund defence
๐ต Tax cuts for working people
@DarrenMillarMS
โฎ๐ตRecess Rewind:
Back in the summer, @AndrewRTDavies visited the BASC stand at the Royal Welsh Show to see how conservation and pest control are critically important to food production. @BASCnews
๐ The Senedd votes FOR an M4 relief road around Newport.
All Plaid Cymru members voted against. Remember that the next time you're stuck in a jam around Newport and when you're in a polling booth.
๐ The Welsh Government's consultation on self-catering properties, known as the 182 Day rule, concludes tomorrow.
๐ฃ Take part here: https://t.co/QEz3gbxiXD
At around this time 60 years ago, heartbreakingly the village of Aberfan was changed forever. This devastating tragedy remains etched in our memories.
We today remember the 144 people, including 116 young children, who lost their lives in this horrific tragedy, leaving families and an entire community truly devastated. The grief endured by their loved ones is beyond words.