Plaid Cymru Leader’s 5 proposals to achieve economic and social prosperity for Wales

PLAID Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth spells out 5 proposals to achieve economic and social prosperity for Wales

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has outlined  five proposals to achieve economic and social prosperity for Wales.

Mr ap Iorwerth made the proposals in a speech hosted by the Wales Governance Centre in Cardiff, and demanded a much higher level of ambition for Wales to deliver a fairer future for our nation.

The series of proposals designed to boost economic growth and productivity, including setting new targets for the economy, legislating on fair funding for Wales and within Wales, and granting the Senedd more flexibility over taxation, including:

·       Targets to meet our ambitious outlook

·       Establishing a development agency fit for the 21^st century

·       Scrap the Barnett formula and enshrine into law an Economic Fairness (Wales) Bill to rebalance the wealth of the UK

·       Bring forward legislation that ensures an equal share of public spending across Wales

·       Give Wales the ability to set its own tax bands and rates.

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said,

“Fairness and ambition are not mutually exclusive – on the contrary – they are intrinsically linked. Believing in the redistribution of wealth and a supportive state while simultaneously advocating for successful enterprise is not an either/or.

“Regrettably the economic legacy of the Welsh government has been one of short–term thinking and sticking plaster solutions – consequently the life chances of too many are being held back.

“The people of Wales’ are our greatest asset and if opportunity is being denied to them, Wales will not reach its potential as a nation.

“If we are to turn the tide on Wales’ economic performance, we must put new thinking at the heart of the Welsh government’s approach but any party serious about fair funding for Wales will be pressing for fair funding from Westminster.

“The track record of the current Conservative UK government is they haven’t, and they won’t, but we’ve heard nothing from Keir Starmer to suggest that a Labour government would either.

“The clear message to the people of Wales in the upcoming general election is that Plaid Cymru is the only party fighting for a fair deal for Wales, one that would protect our public services and NHS.

“The Tories and Labour are content to compromise on fairness and ambition – Plaid Cymru is not.