The UK Government has provided the Welsh Government with an additional £650 million to support people, businesses and public services affected by coronavirus.
This funding brings the total allocated through the Barnett formula to the Welsh Government since the start of the pandemic to £5.85 billion.
In recognition of the exceptional circumstances and in response to calls for flexibility, the Welsh Government will be able to carry over any of the £650 million not spent this year into the 2021/22 financial year on top of their existing tools to transfer funding between years
Fay Jones, Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire said:
“I am really pleased to see the UK Government provide an extra £650 million in funding to the Welsh Government. This is in addition to the £5.2 billion provided since the beginning of the pandemic and the significant UK Government support schemes operating in Wales, such as business loans, SEISS and Furlough. It is vital that this money is passed on to the businesses across Wales who are struggling and the local authorities who are facing funding shortfalls.
“Every single day, I have had businesses from Brecon and Radnorshire get in touch to tell me of the bleak financial situation they face. Every day I have to respond explaining that business support is devolved to the Welsh Government, and there are no signs that the Welsh Government are going to provide any more support, despite them having access to unspent funds. It is soul destroying.
“There are no excuses now – the Welsh Government need to provide additional support for the businesses and local authorities in Wales to get them through this pandemic.”
James Evans, Conservative Senedd Candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire said:
“This is fantastic news for the people of Brecon & Radnorshire. We need to make sure the Welsh Labour Government passes this money onto us, our communities and to help us recover. I urge the Welsh Labour Government to give this money to local authorities to meet their funding shortfall.
"If the Welsh Labour Government, propped up by the Liberal Democrats were to give just £3.6 million of this to Powys County Council it would mean no Council Tax rises for 2021/22 and more money in your pocket to spend in your community and in local businesses”.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay said:
“We’re committed to giving the Welsh Government the resources and flexibility it needs to tackle coronavirus and today we’re delivering an extra £650m boost. We have worked closely with the Welsh Government in advance of this announcement to ensure they have the certainty they need ahead of finalising their budget on 16 February.
“UK Treasury schemes such as furlough, support for the self-employed and business loans also continue to protect jobs and livelihoods across Wales.”
