Responding to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s comments in Port Talbot today, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:
Burnham says his visit to Port Talbot sends a powerful signal to the community, but he still hasn’t actually committed to Wales receiving its fair share of the £2.5 billion steel fund, the single biggest decision that could benefit Port Talbot and the wider economy.
Our priority is securing the powers that will make the biggest difference to people’s everyday lives, from rail and infrastructure investment to research and development funding to the Crown Estate.
Most fundamentally, Burnham is still refusing to look at how Wales is funded. Devolving more responsibilities means little if Wales isn’t given the funding and economic tools to deliver better jobs, services and opportunities for people.
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One Comment
“Devolving more responsibilities means little if Wales isn’t given the funding..”
In recent history we’ve seen Westminster refuse to put up the money in rail with HS2 (not in Wales) being seen as a England and Wales project, minimal funding to clear up risk of coal slides despite historically benefiting significantly, and, following Michael Sheen’s recent documentary, the UK government refuse to comment and signpost to the Welsh government.
Andy Burnham is correct to say that he has timing restrictions, but surely greater devolution without greater funding risks being a poisoned chalice and current funding relationship is grossly unfair.