Yesterday (10/12), the Welsh Government announced their draft 2025/26 budget, and James Evans MS is yet again disappointed that Welsh Labour have not recognised the pressures being felt by local businesses and rural communities.
Although Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford revelated that local hospitality, tourism and other small businesses would now be subject to the same 40% non-domestic rates relief for another year, in alignment with England, the Welsh Conservatives have long called for this to be reinstated to 75%, meaning Welsh businesses have unfairly struggled more compared to their English counterparts, and while it’s positive that the Rural Affairs budget has seen an increase of £36 million, this does not fully reverse the almost £63 million cut it received in the 2024/25 budget.
The extra £1.5bn allocated for Wales has ultimately come from UK Labour’s tax rises on working people along with the callous decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payments.
James Evans MS, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, said:
“Whilst Welsh Labour claim their budget is one for 'a brighter future', the reality is sadly different. The extra money allocated for Wales is a result of UK Labour's £40bn tax rises - all of this while pensioners are losing the vital Winter Fuel Payment and farmers are forced to break up their family farms.
“Although it’s positive the rural affairs budget is to receive more funding, it’s a far cry from the amount of money it lost in the last budget!
“My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I will do all we can as an effective opposition to ensure ministers spend every penny of their funding wisely, and efficiently allocated to our public services."
