Finance Secretary urges Treasury to abandon austerity and boost investment for vital public services and the economy

The Welsh Government has urged the UK Government to abandon its damaging policy of austerity and provide the financial stimulus needed to support vital public services and boost economic confidence.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford set out Wales’ priorities ahead of the Spring Budget on 8 March.

The Cabinet Secretary outlined his concerns about the UK Government’s intention to press ahead with £3.5bn of cuts to public spending in 2019-20 – cuts which could result in a further £175m reduction to the Welsh budget.

And he called on the UK Government to use the Spring Budget to announce extra funding for health and social care services.