Following the Labour Welsh Government’s draft budget, opposition party Plaid Cymru has secured a better deal for Wales. Elin Jones has welcomed the increased settlement for Ceredigion County Council from 2.3% to over 4%, and additional funding for our NHS.
The original draft budget as presented by the Labour Government would have left local authorities facing a significant shortfall that could have led to further large council tax increases, public sector job losses, and a historically low NHS settlement.
Plaid Cymru stepped in and asked for two things - to protect public services and prevent unaffordable council tax rises, and to correct the inadequate NHS settlement caused by Labour’s rollover budget. By abstaining in return for increased health and council budgets, Plaid Cymru ensured a better deal for public services and taxpayers in Wales.
Elin Jones MS said: “This will provide a far better settlement for Ceredigion Council and local taxpayers. It can be used to relieve the pressure on tight budgets for our public services, and also reduce the burden of council tax on ratepayers in Ceredigion. It had been proposed that Ceredigion Council’s settlement by the Welsh Government would have been 2.3%, as a result of Plaid Cymru’s deal, this will now increase to over 4%. The additional funding for the NHS of 3.6%, up from the proposed 2.1%, will also help our stretched health services here in the west. If Plaid Cymru can deliver this in opposition, imagine what we can achieve leading the next Welsh Government in May – real change and new leadership that puts the people of Wales first."