Welsh Lib Dems criticise Welsh Labour government over “lack of vision” with budget

Today (9th January 2024) in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal democrats have attacked the Welsh Labour government over their perceived lack of vision for Wales ahead of the drafting of the annual budget.

The drafted budget for the 2024 financial year has come under heavy criticism by the Welsh Lib Dems, who view the “same old same old” approach taken by Welsh Labour as doing nothing to help get Wales out of its current economic strife.

Commenting, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds said:

“This upcoming budget, set by the Welsh Labour government and their Plaid Cymru partners, have no real grasp on the situation at hand, and their failure over the last two decades to create a more innovative and resilient Wales.

Whilst I welcome the commitments made to our NHS and local councils within the budget, the budget fails to even see us tread water.

Instead, the most we have been given is a scrap of spares to hold onto with the expectation that we will survive by simply staying afloat.

Simply adding a gloss of paint over the cracks does nothing to help stop the rot.

There are three areas of concern for me with this budget and they are rural affairs, schools, and dental fees.

A 10% drop in the Rural Affairs budget and a £40 million withdrawal from investment schemes means that we are at a real risk of leaving behind a vital part of Wales that needs as much support as possible.

Across Wales many of our schools are facing deficits that threaten to reduce the quality of teaching given to students due to staff burnout and redundancies.

Most concerning of all is the proposal to raise public service fees like dentistry charges, which would do nothing to solve the huge waiting times and difficulties faced by thousands when it comes to accessing dental care.

We desperately need a new vision for Wales, one that encourages investment and growth. A vision that prioritises supporting our NHS, our rural communities, our schools, and those struggling with the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

Welsh Labour’s lack of vision could prove to be a massive hindrance to the future of our nation, we desperately need a change in approach.”