Plaid Cymru wants HS2 cash before helping Labour’s Wales budget

Labour has 30 seats in the Senedd and needs the help of at least one opposition politician to get its spending plans agreed. That usually means Labour ministers have to strike a deal.

Plaid Cymru argues that Wales should be funded through a needs-based formula, and not the Barnett system, which is based on population.

Ap Iorwerth criticised the Welsh government for its recent £350m assessment of how much it thinks is owed to Wales from the High Speed 2 (HS2) line. Ministers had argued in the past that it was worth billions.

The project is designated an England and Wales scheme, meaning the Welsh government receives no additional cash as a result, despite none of the railway reaching Wales.

“Welsh government isn’t even asking now for what Wales is owed, and that tells you everything you need to know about the way Labour in power in Wales is short-changing Wales,” said ap Iorwerth.

“They call it a partnership in power, something that will deliver for Wales.

“So if they want to come to the table and say we can deliver on HS2 funding and fair funding and on devolution of powers over the Crown Estate, let’s talk.

“I’m not seeing any whisper that that’s happening.”