James Evans MS has expressed disappointment at the final Welsh Government budget, particularly considering Jane Dodds MS’s decision to support it.
While welcoming the funding allocated for Wyeside Arts Centre and making the Pont y Bat crossroads safer, James has made it clear that he cannot support a budget that fails to prioritise healthcare, education and farmers in Brecon & Radnorshire.
James Evans MS, Senedd Member for Brecon and Radnorshire, said:
“It is positive that we will see funding for the Wyeside Arts Centre and improvements at Pont y Bat crossroads. These are important investments for our community, and I have been calling for this investment for years. However, this budget falls woefully short in addressing the urgent healthcare challenges facing Brecon & Radnorshire.
“We need to see proper funding to support our Minor Injury Units to keep them open. We need funding to ensure Powys Health Board has the resources to pay for operations in England and improve healthcare services for the people of this area. Additionally, there are no cast-iron commitments to improving education or providing adequate support for our farmers, both of which are crucial to the future of Brecon & Radnorshire. Our schools and agricultural sector are already under pressure, and this budget does nothing to address these challenges.
“Jane Dodds MS has chosen to back a budget that looks good on her next leaflet rather than tackling the fundamental challenges we face in Brecon and Radnorshire. This is yet another example of political posturing rather than real leadership. After initially saying there was ‘no deal at all’, Jane Dodds has now agreed to support a Welsh Labour Government that is neglecting the people of our area.
“This is not the first time the Welsh Liberal Democrats have propped up the Welsh Labour administration, and once again, the people of Brecon & Radnorshire are left behind. The Welsh Liberal Democrats continue to mislead their constituents. They blame the Welsh Government for not giving them enough money, yet today we see Jane Dodds backing Labour’s failing budget anyway.
“This agreement is a cheap date for Labour, but an expensive mistake for Wales and the people of Brecon and Radnorshire.”
