WIREDGOV

Ahead of the UK Government’s Budget being published, Finance Minister Jane Hutt has called on UK Ministers to increase capital investment to allow the Welsh Government to continue to deliver key infrastructure projects across Wales.

Writing to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, the Minister called for the UK Government to use the Budget on Wednesday to stimulate economic growth and protect jobs.

Jane Hutt said:

“We have welcomed the additional investment in infrastructure over recent budgets and have utilised the additional funding in line with our own priorities to boost jobs and growth, this is despite our capital budget being cut by 31 per cent between 2009-10 and 2015-16.  However, we have scope to boost our investment further and have a pipeline of schemes ready for investment.

“I am urging the UK Government to increase capital investment to ensure we can deliver the sustained economic growth that both Wales and the UK needs.  But this can not be at the cost of further cuts to revenue budgets which would impact on vital public services.

“Wednesday’s Budget is an opportunity for the UK Government to stimulate the economy and help get things moving.  I hope they take this opportunity and give us what we need to continue to strengthen the Welsh economy.”

The Minister also called for greater flexibility in the funding the Welsh Government is allowed to carry over from 2013-14 to 2014-15 to enable works to be undertaken to flood defences and tourism assets in response to flood damage caused by the winter storms.

Jane Hutt added:

“Following the recent bad weather the Welsh Government has announced a substantial package of investment of nearly £10m for repairs to coastal defences and restoration of coastal areas to support storm-hit tourism businesses.  

“There has been no extra funding for Wales from the announcements made in England.  As some of the work still needed will take place in the next financial year we are asking for greater flexibility in the limit of funding we can carry over to next year.  This would help ensure we can deliver the repairs that are needed to flood defences and help the tourism industry get back on its feet, showing Wales is open for business.”