Detailed spending plans show Welsh Government's commitment to key services

Further details of the Welsh Government's £27bn Draft Budget showing increases in funding for all key departments were set out today.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said the departmental spending plans show the government's commitment to protecting vital public services, while maintaining stability ahead of the Senedd election.

Stage 2 of the Draft Budget 2026 – 27 sets out more than £800m of additional funding compared to last year's budget, with protected funding for health, education and other essential services.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said:

"These spending plans show how we're protecting the services people rely on most. Every key department will see increased funding, providing the stability our public services need.

"We remain open to working with other parties in the Senedd to build an even more ambitious budget. My door remains open to those who share our commitment to passing a Welsh Budget that works for everyone."

The Draft Budget is being published in two stages. Stage one on 14 October outlined the high-level department allocations. Stage two features more detailed departmental spending plans will be published on 3 November.

The draft local government settlement will be published later in November.

The Final Budget will be published on 20 January 2026, with the Senedd vote scheduled for 27 January.

Notes to editors

Timeline for the Draft Budget:

• 14 October 2025               Draft Budget published (stage 1). Outlines high-level allocations by Main Expenditure Group (MEG) for each Welsh Government department.

• 3 November 2025             Publication of Detailed Draft Budget (stage 2), setting out spending plans at budget expenditure lines (Budget Expenditure Line (BEL) details for each Welsh Government department.
• 26 November 2025            UK Autumn Budget
• Late November 2025         Draft local government settlement to be published (date TBC)

• 20 January 2026               Final Budget published. 

Final local government settlement published.

• 27 January 2026               Final Budget debate and vote

Vote on tax motions
Vote on local government settlement

In the Welsh Government's budget:

MEG stands for Main Expenditure Group. This is how the Welsh Government categorises its spending allocations across major portfolios like Health and Social Care, Education, Transport, and more. Each MEG includes both resource spending (everyday operational costs), and capital spending (long-term investments such as infrastructure).

BEL stands for Budget Expenditure Line. These provide more detail about how money is allocated at a detailed level.

Draft Budget documents are available at:

Draft Budget 2026 to 2027 | GOV.WALES