Senedd told 'business as usual' budget planned by government
He told the Senedd: 'This will not be a budget which focuses on new priorities or fresh policies. That, I believe, will be for political parties to put before the Welsh electorate.'
Prof Drakeford confirmed the Welsh Government will publish an outline draft budget on October 14, 2025, with a more detailed draft to follow on November 4.
In previous years, the draft budget has been published in mid-December – just before the Senedd breaks for Christmas, prompting concerns about scrutiny being curtailed.
The earlier timeframe will pose its own challenges with the UK Government autumn budget, which is likely to affect funding for Wales, expected in late October or early November.
Prof Drakeford will be presenting his sixth and final budget to the Senedd before standing down at the next election after decades at the centre of Welsh politics.
He told the Senedd: 'We cannot let uncertainty over the UK Government's autumn budget drive our own timelines and plans.'
Prof Drakeford said the politically neutral budget will make hundreds of millions available to get the next Senedd off to a stable and ambitious start.
He stated he would have liked – ideally – to bring forward a multi-year budget but the cabinet decided on a single-year 'business-as-usual' budget due to the election.
Sam Rowlands, the Tories' shadow finance secretary, welcomed an earlier-than-usual timeline, recognising the driver as next year's poll.
Peredur Owen Griffiths, the Plaid Cymru chair of the Senedd's finance committee, welcomed a return to a two-stage budget process for the first time in seven years.
Following the statement, a Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: "It is the responsibility of the Labour Welsh Government to develop and publish spending plans up to and including the final year of the Senedd term.
'Plaid Cymru will scrutinise the budget when it is laid and will, as ever, act in the best interests of the people of Wales.'
Following scrutiny in the Senedd, the final 2026/27 budget will be published on January 20, with a debate and key vote to follow on January 27.
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