Why does Wales need more powers?

This is a question we receive a lot, and it's a fair one.

It's not about having powers for the sake of it. It's about making sure our nation has the tools it needs to tackle the challenges we face.

So what powers are Plaid Cymru calling for, and what difference could they make?

🚔 Policing and justice: Powers over policing and justice would make it easier to join up the work of the police, courts and services such as health, housing and education to prevent crime and reduce reoffending.

🚆 Railways: More control over our rail infrastructure and investment would give us greater power to improve services, make trains more reliable and build better connections between communities across Wales!

🌊 Our natural resources: Control over the Crown Estate in Wales would enable us to reinvest profits in our communities just like Scotland does, and bring down energy bills.

💷 Fair funding: A fair funding settlement and more financial flexibility would mean more scope to invest in the NHS and the other vital public services we rely on, and enable us to plan for the future and respond to changing needs.

Not powers for power's sake, but tools to improve public services, strengthen our economy and deliver better outcomes for communities across Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

NOT A BUDGET FOR WALES

We were promised Wales would benefit from two Labour governments, but Welsh councils and local services face another disastrous settlement. 

Only Plaid Cymru will stand up for communities across Wales, and demand a fair deal from Westminster and work to protect our public services. 

Wales was promised that things would improve under Labour’s ‘partnership in power’.  

But Wales still hasn’t received the billions owed from HS2, no control over our natural resources, and hit hardest by Labour’s taxes.

In today’s Budget, Plaid Cymru called for fairness.

Yet nothing in Labour’s Budget changes the fundamental unfairness facing Wales. 

Labour has given up on Wales. 

Plaid Cymru remains the only party standing up for our communities, demanding the fairness and ambition that Wales needs and deserves.

A BUDGET WITH A WHIFF OF PANIC

Not that long ago, if there was a budget leak then there might have been resignations, now in the run up to the budget lots of kites (ideas) are flown and various ideas appear from the ether to be be tested - before budget day - so very New Labour. 

The recent debacle over income tax increases is a case in point.

A Budget that’s been rewritten in panic will not deliver for Wales. With the Chancellor removing a major proposals barely two weeks before Budget Day – something which triggered a run on UK government bonds – if nothing else this suggests that there is something seriously wrong at the heart of this Labour in Westminster Government.

Our nation needs financial and political stability and needs the ability to plan ahead. A continually reshaped Budget - changed to stop or contain Labour infighting, will not meet the needs of Welsh communities. 

This is no way to run an economy, especially when devolved public services rely on predictable funding. Particularly when the uncertainty in pushes up borrowing costs, it’s our communities that pay the price.

Plaid Cymru has reiterated its call for a new fiscal settlement for Wales, including:

• Devolving the Crown Estate, allowing Wales to retain revenue from its natural resources,
• Fair funding for Wales, including the long-denied HS2 consequential payments,
• A tax system that treats income from wealth fairly, rather than placing the burden on workers through threshold freezes and stealth rises

 A budget that has been drafted in panic will always fail to deliver for Wales. Our nation needs a stable, ambitious plan shaped by Welsh priorities, not last-minute U-turns in London.

Only Plaid Cymru will fight for fairness for Wales from this Budget: fair funding, including the long-denied HS2 consequentials; a tax system that treats income from wealth fairly rather than stealth tax rises; and control over the Crown Estate so that profits generated from our natural wealth stay in Wales.

FAIR FUNDING IS NO BIG ASK

Fair funding for Wales isn’t a big ask, is it? Yet according to Labour in Wales , it seems like it is. Their latest budget doesn’t deliver fairness—it’s just papering over the cracks of 25 years of Labour mismanagement. While our NHS struggles and our economy stalls, yet Labour continues to deny Wales what it’s owed. From a fair funding deal, £4 billion in HS2 funding to control over our own natural resources, we’re left short-changed time and time again.

Labour in Wales’s proposed budget its both underwhelming and unambitious, this budget won’t even touch the sides of the crisis facing our NHS and councils. This doesn’t take into account the impact of Labour’s national insurance contributions on our public services. And more than anything, this is a direct result of 25 years of Labour in Wales mismanagement and an unfair funding deal that leaves Wales seriously shortchanged.

Instead of offering fairness for Wales, Labour in Wales have decided to intimidate opposition parties into backing its budget - which is incredibly disappointing. Giving Labour in Wales a second chance means more of the same. In 2026, we must be more resolute than ever that Plaid Cymru is the real alternative for a new government that will offer a better direction for Wales.

 

The Labour in Wales budget fails to meet the needs of Wales’ struggling public services and continues to deny us a fair funding settlement. Plaid Cymru is the only party fighting for fairness, offering an ambitious alternative with long-term solutions to improve our NHS and grow the economy.

While Labour in Wales are boasting this is a good budget for Wales but the reality on the ground tells a very different story. It’s time for a fresh start with a Plaid Cymru government. We will put Wales’ needs first and deliver ambitious, long-term solutions to fix our NHS and grow our economy. 

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON WALES

Labour are “putting the brakes on Welsh aspirations”, twenty-five years after a parliament for Wales was established, says Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS.

 

Speaking ahead of the last First Minister’s Questions before the UK General Election on Thursday 4 July, Rhun ap Iorwerth said that Plaid Cymru is the only party saying “yes” to Wales in line with people’s wishes since 1997.

 

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS will call out Labour’s 'do one thing and say another' on issues such as fair funding, HS2 money owed to Wales, ending the two-child benefit cap and devolving powers over justice and policing where any appetite by Labour in Wales to pursue these issues are being quashed by Labour HQ in London.

 

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:

 

“The political history of Wales for nearly thirty years is one of our nation saying “yes.”

“Yes” in 1997 to having a parliament of our own and “yes” to making more of our own decisions in 2011.

 

“After twenty-five years in power in Wales, the Labour Party now appears to be putting the brakes on devolution and failing to keep pace with people’s ambitions.

 

“Whatever Labour in Wales claims to believe, any attempts to join Plaid Cymru in saying “yes” to fair funding, HS2 consequentials, scrapping the two-child benefit cap and devolving powers over justice and policing are falling on deaf ears in London.

 

“Keir Starmer has made it clear that when it comes to Wales, his answer is too often “no.”

 

“Hoarding power in Westminster is something we’re used to from the Tories, but with UK Labour adopting a similar approach, it’s clear that only Plaid Cymru MPs will give Wales a voice in the UK Parliament.

 

“Labour members in Wales are right that the two-child benefit cap is the single greatest driver of child poverty.

 

“Labour members agree with us that control over the Crown Estates should be handed to Wales, as part of the drive to unlock our economic potential.

 

“If only Keir Starmer respected them and listened.

 

“As things stand we just face more of the same – more cuts to public services but no more powers to change our nation for good.

“I urge anyone fed up of how Labour are taking Wales for granted to vote for Plaid Cymru on 4 July as the only party committed to putting our communities before party interests.”

- ENDS -

THREE DAYS TO GO

More Plaid Cymru MPs means Wales won’t be ignored by incoming Labour government

 

With the Tories on their way out and Labour offers little or next to nothing to Wales. 

Only Plaid Cymru offers a proper alternative to the two tired old London parties who have ignored our communities needs for generations.

 

Monday will mark the last of three full days of campaigning until polling day before people cast their votes.

 

Some of Plaid Cymru’s main pledges include demanding £4 billion owed to Wales from HS2, a fair funding deal, and powers over natural resources to invest in the nation’s economy.

Plaid Cymru is the only party fighting for fairness for Wales. 

Vote Plaid on Thursday 4th July 2024

WE NEED REAL ECONOMIC CHANGE

More Plaid Cymru MPs means more voices fighting for “real economic change” for Wales

“While Labour can preach ‘change’ as much as they like – we know that austerity is here to stay under Starmer” says Plaid Cymru

 

More Plaid Cymru MPs will ensure “real economic change” for Wales, Plaid Cymru has said. 

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for the economy Luke Fletcher MS said Plaid Cymru’s three pledges for the economy would ensure economic fairness for Wales and hold Labour to account on behalf of the people of Wales.

The party’s main economic pledges include:

1) A fair funding system for Wales according to need

2) Rejoin the single market and the customs union 

3) Give Wales the £4 billion it is owed from HS2 

 

Since 2010, Wales has seen £3 billion worth of cuts due to decisions made in Westminster.

 

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) on Monday (24 June 2024) called out the main two Westminster parties for their released their “conspiracy of silence” over the economy.

 

The £18 billion spending gap in the Labour manifesto will result in almost a billion pounds less for Wales – the equivalent of ten years’ worth of funding for Universal Free Primary School Meals.

 

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for the economy Luke Fletcher MS said:

“Plaid Cymru is the only party offering real economic change for Wales in this election.

“The Tories have crashed the economy and Labour have signed up to at least £18 billion worth of cuts – which means a billion pounds less for the Welsh budget. While Labour can preach ‘change’ as much as they like – we know that austerity is here to stay under Starmer.

“Plaid Cymru’s pledges would mean fairness for Wales – both economically and socially. They include a fairer funding model based on Wales’ needs so we can invest in our schools, the NHS, and in our communities.

“We’re the only party honest about the impact of Brexit on the Welsh economy and calling to rejoin the Single Market and Customs union to end the red tape on our businesses and ports.

“And we’re the only party demanding the return of Wales’ missing billions from England’s HS2 project to invest in our transport infrastructure and local economies.

“While the Tories and Labour alike are happy to see public services decimated and household budgets squeezed even further, Plaid Cymru is fighting for economic fairness in this election as the only party that doesn’t take Welsh votes for granted.

“Westminster won’t care about Wales unless there are MPs standing up for Wales’ best interests at every opportunity – not singing to the same hymn sheet as Starmer. This is what a vote for Plaid Cymru on 4 July offers.”

- ENDS - 

LABOUR’S CUTS WILL HURT WALES

LABOUR CUTS COULD WIPE NEARLY BILLION POUNDS FROM WELSH BUDGET, PLAID CYMRU WARN

The £18 billion spending gap in UK Labour’s recently published manifesto could wipe nearly £1bn from the Welsh Government’s budget, Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has warned.

Speaking ahead of the BBC Leaders’ Debate on Friday evening, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS accused Labour of having a programme for government “devoid of compassion” that could drive thousands more families in Wales into poverty.

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:

“Between Brexit lies on buses and Downing Street parties during lockdown, it is little wonder that trust in politics is at an all-time low. That’s why honesty is so critical in this General Election campaign, and that’s why Labour and the Tories’ conspiracy of silence on public sector cuts is so deeply disappointing.

“The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that whoever seizes the keys to Number 10 in two weeks’ time, at least £18 billion of cuts are coming down the line.

“Based on our population share, the equivalent cut to Wales’s public services implied by Labour’s spending plans is a staggering £935 million.

“Figures like this are difficult to comprehend so it’s worth examining some equivalent spending. A third of Wales’s total annual schools budget, the annual salaries of more than 25,000 nurses, funding for ten years’ worth of Universal Free Primary School Meals, almost the entire level of Welsh NHS spending on mental health, or more than twice the annual revenue funding for the entire Economy portfolio.

“There are 13 mentions of poverty in Labour’s manifesto, yet seemingly not one policy devised to alleviate a problem which continues to cripple far too many communities. Not even a commitment to scrap the pernicious two-child benefit cap which the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned this week will hit another 670,000 children throughout the UK by 2029. 

“The spectre of an end to 14 years of Tory rule should inspire at least some hope in people longing for a fairer future, but that is regrettably not the case. By publishing a programme so devoid of compassion, Labour is promising more of the same and threatening to wipe almost a billion pounds from the Welsh economy in the process.

“This is no time for ambition is half measures. It was Labour’s own Aneurin Bevan who said that people who stand in the middle of the road get run over. The challenges are too great and the stakes are too high for a change of government to represent little more than a change of furniture in Downing Street.

“We in Plaid Cymru know that this is not as good as it gets for Wales. That is why we are offering real change at this election. Not nudge along Westminster’s sliding scale of austerity, but bold strides to bring about the economic, structural and social transformation required to build a fairer, more ambitious nation.”

ENDS

 

EDITOR’S NOTES:

1.     The Institute for Fiscal Studies stated on 16 April: “Current policy plans imply real-terms cuts to public investment of 2.6% per year over the next parliament. Avoiding those would require increasing spending by £18bn in 2029-30.” - Where does SNP claim of £18bn cuts under Labour come from? - BBC News

2.      Plaid Cymru research has found that the £18bn spending gap in Labour’s manifesto means an equivalent cut of £935m for Wales, based on our population share.

3.     The Economist has also warned on that the spending gap could be as much as £30bn: “According to The Economist’s calculations, if Britain grows by the consensus forecast of 1.5% rather than the 1.8% expected by the OBR, the annual hole in the public finances would deepen by roughly £30bn ($38.4bn, or 1.1% of GDP).” [The Economist June 8^th 2024]

TWO WEEKS TO GO

We have two weeks to go and the postal votes are being delivered 

We know the Tories are on their way out, and rightly so, but with Labour likely to be in government after 4th July, we can't let them take Wales for granted. 

We need Fair funding for Wales

• Secure the £4 billion owed to Wales from HS2 to invest in improving our own public transport in all parts of the country and reversing cuts to local bus services.
• Demand a fair funding system for Wales, based around our needs, giving us the public services we deserve.

We need Fair play for patients

• Fair funding from Westminster, enabling us to invest in our NHS workforce and recruit 500 GPs into Wales after years of Tory cuts and Labour mismanagement in Cardiff.
• A new Cancer Strategy to ensure cancers are caught and treated earlier, and ending Wales’s postcode lottery for treatment.

We need Fairness for families and communities

• Help 330,000 Welsh families to deal with the cost of living crisis by increasing Child Benefit by £20 per week. This will take 60,000 children out of poverty in Wales.
• Redressing economic unfairness; increasing windfall taxes and devolving the Crown Estate in order to create green jobs and build prosperity.

Wales needs a strong Plaid Cymru voice in Westminster to demand fairness for Wales 

If you've got your postal vote already, please consider voting Plaid Cymru. Otherwise, vote Plaid Cymru in two weeks time on 4th July 2024