Latest news with #Iorwerth
South Wales Guardian
12-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Senedd debates UK Labour Government record a year on
Rhun ap Iorwerth warned people in Wales have been subject to 'disappointment after disappointment,' with the picture deteriorating in the 12 months since Labour took office. He criticised a lack of progress on fair funding for Wales, telling Senedd members: 'The glaring hollowness of that promise is plain for all to see.' The would-be first minister pointed to long-held, but as yet unfulfilled, commitments to devolve powers over policing, youth justice and the Crown Estate to Wales. Mr ap Iorwerth expressed concerns about cuts to winter fuel allowance, a lack of HS2 consequential funding and 'blatant double standards' on the steel industry. He called out the 'fundamental injustice' of the UK Government leaving Wales with a £72m shortfall for the costs of national insurance contributions (NICs) in the public sector. Leading a Plaid Cymru debate on July 9, Mr ap Iorwerth said: "Wales and the people of Wales have been disappointed, they have been let down by this Labour UK Government.' The former broadcast journalist criticised the recent UK spending review for providing the 'worst real-terms growth in day-to-day spending outside of the immediate austerity years'. Tom Giffard, for the Conservatives which supported the Plaid Cymru motion, pointed to Labour's manifesto commitment not to raise taxes on working people. But Labour's Joyce Watson criticised Plaid Cymru for voting against the Welsh budget while 'failing' to bring alternative plans to the table. 'Week in and week out, you ask for more money for something that you haven't costed,' she said. Responding for the Welsh Government, Julie James hit back at 'fantasy politics' from the opposition benches as she accused Plaid Cymru of acting like a circus soothsayer.' Ms James stressed: 'One year of a Labour Government won't magically get rid of food banks or end our dependency on them. The damage caused by the governments of Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak… will now take time to heal.'
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Senedd debates UK Labour Government record a year on
Rhun ap Iorwerth warned people in Wales have been subject to 'disappointment after disappointment,' with the picture deteriorating in the 12 months since Labour took office. He criticised a lack of progress on fair funding for Wales, telling Senedd members: 'The glaring hollowness of that promise is plain for all to see.' The would-be first minister pointed to long-held, but as yet unfulfilled, commitments to devolve powers over policing, youth justice and the Crown Estate to Wales. Mr ap Iorwerth expressed concerns about cuts to winter fuel allowance, a lack of HS2 consequential funding and 'blatant double standards' on the steel industry. He called out the 'fundamental injustice' of the UK Government leaving Wales with a £72m shortfall for the costs of national insurance contributions (NICs) in the public sector. Leading a Plaid Cymru debate on July 9, Mr ap Iorwerth said: "Wales and the people of Wales have been disappointed, they have been let down by this Labour UK Government.' The former broadcast journalist criticised the recent UK spending review for providing the 'worst real-terms growth in day-to-day spending outside of the immediate austerity years'. Tom Giffard, for the Conservatives which supported the Plaid Cymru motion, pointed to Labour's manifesto commitment not to raise taxes on working people. But Labour's Joyce Watson criticised Plaid Cymru for voting against the Welsh budget while 'failing' to bring alternative plans to the table. 'Week in and week out, you ask for more money for something that you haven't costed,' she said. Responding for the Welsh Government, Julie James hit back at 'fantasy politics' from the opposition benches as she accused Plaid Cymru of acting like a circus soothsayer.' Ms James stressed: 'One year of a Labour Government won't magically get rid of food banks or end our dependency on them. The damage caused by the governments of Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak… will now take time to heal.'
South Wales Argus
26-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Senedd members call for fairer funding from UK Government
Rhun ap Iorwerth led a debate calling for the 'outdated and unfair' Barnett formula to be scrapped, warning Wales gets a 'poor deal'. The population-based Barnett formula – which was devised as a temporary measure in the late 1970s by Labour's Joel Barnett – is used by the Treasury in Westminster to set public spending in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Mr ap Iorwerth told the Senedd: 'The inadequacy of the Barnett formula has been apparent ever since its inception, which, of course, way predates the devolution era.' The Plaid Cymru leader pointed out Wales faced a £72m shortfall from Westminster to cover the increased cost of national insurance in the public sector due to the 'flawed' formula. Mr ap Iorwerth argued Wales is owed around £5bn from rail projects across the border being classified as 'England-and-Wales', denying the Welsh Government consequential funding. He criticised Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, for telling a Welsh MP he should be 'more grateful' for rail cash, which 'typifies the contempt shown by the UK Government'. Sam Rowlands, for the Conservatives, called for a review of the fiscal framework – a 2016 agreement between the Welsh and UK Governments on funding and tax powers. He said: 'In simple terms, the Welsh Government receives £1.20 from the UK Government for every £1 spent on public services in England.' Mr Rowlands said Scotland has had two such reviews since 2015. He added: 'Our friends in Northern Ireland have benefited from recent reviews too. Their most recent review, published in 2024, provides a Barnett needs assessment of a 24% increase against Wales' 20%. So, it doesn't seem right to me.' Pointing out that Scotland and Northern Ireland can borrow £3bn compared with £1bn in Wales, Rhys ab Owen said: 'County councils, in proportion to the population they represent, also have more borrowing powers than the Welsh Government.' Responding to the debate on June 25, Mark Drakeford backed the motion which is 'nothing more than a restatement of the long-standing policy of successive Welsh Governments'. He agreed with Lord Barnett who himself described the formula as grossly unfair in 2003. The former first minister vowed to make the case for replacement of the Barnett formula at a meeting of finance ministers from the four nations in London the following day.
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Mark Drakeford tells Plaid Cymru leader he's 'very bad at listening' in heated exchange
Mark Drakeford tells Plaid Cymru leader he's 'very bad at listening' in heated exchange The former First Minister told the Plaid Cymru leader to 'listen to me' Wales' finance minister Mark Drakeford lost his cool with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth during a heated Senedd debate about rail funding. The former First Minister was delivering his closing remarks in a debate about today's spending review announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. He turned to the Plaid Cymru leader, Ynys Mon MS Rhun ap Iorwerth, pointed and told him he was "very bad at hectoring". The UK Labour Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, today announced the government's spending plans for the next three years and a debate was scheduled in the Senedd to discuss it. One of the topics was £445m of funding announced for rail in Wales. Confusion emerged after the chancellor said that money was over 10 years, which would have meant the much-lauded announcement would mean Wales would have received less from Labour than under the Tories. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Opposition parties jumped on the phrasing used by the chancellor. Yet briefings from Treasury officials and the Wales Office suggests it is more complex than that - although there is still a lack of detail about when the money will be spent, what it will be spent on and how much progress will be possible when the sum promised is less than the cost of the big ambitions for rail in Wales. You can read the full explanation here. Plaid Cymru members react as Mr Drakeford turns to Rhun ap Iorwerth (Image: Senedd TV ) The Treasury seemed to clarify the Chancellor's comments that of the £445m coming to Wales, the £350m would be spent in the next three financial years, not over a 10 year period. The 10 years, they said, referred to some £97m of money which is for developing future projects. Article continues below However, during the Senedd exchange, Mr Drakeford appeared to lose his cool with Mr ap Iorwerth. The pair had previously worked in partnership during the co-operation agreement. Mr Drakeford turned to Plaid Cymru and told them the £350m - a combination of £300m the UK Government will spend and around £48m the Welsh Government will get - will be spent in the next three years. Mark Drakeford points at Rhun ap Iorwerth during a heated debate over rail funding (Image: Senedd TV ) "Let's be clear," he said, "I know you don't like good news, but I am telling you, I am the finance minister here, would you like to listen to me? I would tell you, the Plaid Cymru leader, he is very bad at listening and very bad at hectoring." Mr ap Iorwerth then interjected quoting the chancellor's words "the Chancellor said £455m is coming over ten years, those were her words". Rhun ap Iorwerth looks on during the exchange (Image: Senedd TV ) Mr Drakeford then told him not to "make the same mistake for the fourth time, this afternoon". "The leader of Plaid Cymru is very bad at listening and very bad at hectoring people from where he sits, it's not an attractive trait, I can tell you that," he said. Mr Drakeford said £350m would come in the first three years, and an additional £90m over a 10 year investment strategy. "Wales will benefit from both," he said. Article continues below
South Wales Guardian
11-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
UK Government ‘betraying Wales' over rail funding, Plaid leader says
Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid, criticised the UK Labour Government for reclassifying the £6.6 billion Oxford to Cambridge line to an England and Wales project. The designation means Wales will not receive the additional rail funding it would get if branded an England-only project. Mr ap Iorwerth called on Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Labour First Minister, to condemn the reclassification. Baroness Morgan agreed Wales was not getting its fair share but said she was expecting to see positive changes in the UK Government's spending review on Wednesday. Mr ap Iorwerth's comments come following reports that revealed the project had originally been listed as England-only from 2020 to 2024. The Treasury told the BBC the classification was a 'publishing error' and insisted it was always considered an England and Wales development. Speaking First Minister's Questions in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mr ap Iorwerth said: 'We were getting our share until Labour actively moved the goalposts. 'Labour went out of its way to make sure Wales wouldn't get the money when the big spending really began.' He added: 'She should be joining me in condemning the UK Labour Government for betraying Wales. Will she?' Mr ap Iorwerth argued the reclassification was a 'new HS2 scandal' – a rail project that has been controversial in Wales. Despite none of the track being laid in the country, it was also designated an England and Wales project by the last UK Conservative government. Plaid has said this designation cost Wales £3.9 billion in funding. Responding to Mr Iorwerth, Baroness Morgan said: 'I've learned to expect nothing but constant negativity from the Plaid Cymru leader. 'I've been clear and I've been consistent when it comes to rail funding that we have not been getting our fair share of funding, in a position that the Tories left us with for over a decade. 'The difference between the Tories and the UK Labour Government is that they've recognised that injustice. 'I don't know what's going to be in the spending review, but the one thing I do know is that if Labour gave Wales a total land of milk and honey, Plaid Cymru would still find fault.' Baroness Morgan added they were 'expecting something positive from the spending review', but the Welsh government would have to keep on making the case for a fair share of funding. In January, the UK government admitted Welsh railways had been underfunded, with spending at 'low levels' in recent years. However, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander did not announce any additional funding at the time.
