Welsh Lib Dems lay down their priorities for Wales ahead of Welsh Gov budget

AHEAD of the announcement of the Welsh Government’s budget on the 19th of December, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have laid down their priorities for Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ priorities are as follows:

1. Investing in our NHS and fixing the crisis in NHS dentistry and cutting waiting times.

2. Investing in children, helping to tackle the schools funding crisis and supporting childcare providers.

3. Investing in our economy by extending financial support for small businesses for a further year whilst also supporting people with the cost of living.

Commenting, Jane Dodds MS said:

“In the wake of the upcoming Welsh Government budget, I want to make my priorities for our country clear.

In what will be a difficult budget, it is not enough to say that there is no money. Our public services are at breaking point, and this must be a turning point for our country. It’s time to innovate and to show that devolution can deliver better solutions for Wales.

Our NHS, schools and businesses are struggling, and the Conservatives’ cost of living crisis continues to bite. We cannot continue like this.”

The party has set out several priorities for the forthcoming budget.

Access to GPs and dentists is becoming harder and harder, and the party has set out a focus on moving the logjam in our GP and dental surgeries, building on the party’s 2023 report Filling the Gap.

Business confidence is at a persistent low, with small businesses struggling to continue to operate and invest in their businesses. The party has called for an extension to business rates relief for small business, hospitality, and leisure.

The party has also set out proposals to tackle the school funding crisis and ensure that children from low-income families do not fall behind following statistics that show that the attainment gap between children has widened. The party has set out proposals to reform the Pupil Development Grant, a policy introduced by the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the 4th Senedd.

The party has also reiterated calls to speed up the roll out the next phase of the Warm Homes Programme, and to ensure the continuation of Discretionary Assistance Funds and Discretionary Housing Funds to help prevent homelessness.