First Minister has welcomed the UK
Government's Autumn Budget:
"This is a Budget which will help people right across Wales. It
will mean more money in the pocket of people who need it the
most, support for energy bills, a raise in the minimum wage and
good news for pensioners.
“I'm pleased the Chancellor has listened to our call to
scrap the two-child benefits limit, which will help to tackle the
scourge of child poverty.
“We called on the UK Government to continue to support us with
more money for hard pressed public services and they have
delivered with an extra £500m, building on the £5 billion of
extra funding they have already confirmed.
“We will also see significant investment in Wales, including in
AI Growth Zones, advanced manufacturing, steel transition in Port
Talbot, and nuclear energy in Anglesey.
“The UK Government has increased Wales' fiscal flexibilities –
this will give Wales a more durable financial settlement,
supporting Welsh public services and economic growth and
recognises the ambitions in the UK Government's
manifesto commitment. Last year these additional
flexibilities meant we were able to provide thousands of
additional treatments in the NHS in Wales.”
Notes to editors
The Chancellor has confirmed changes to Wales' fiscal
flexibilities – in 2026-27, the Welsh Government's annual capital
borrowing limits, overall Wales Reserve limit and the annual
drawdown limits will be increased by 10%. From 2027-28, these
will be uprated annually in line with inflation.
The UK Budget includes an additional £505m extra in resource and
capital funding over the Spending Review period in addition to
the £5bn announced in the Spending Review earlier this year.
