Office for National Statistics Forecasts

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance – in the Senedd at 1:34 pm on 14 November 2018.

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Photo of Dawn Bowden Dawn Bowden Labour 1:34, 14 November 2018

Thank you for that, Cabinet Secretary. The chief economist's report, which accompanies the Welsh budget, highlights the risk to the Welsh tax base if the working-age population continues to decline in Wales, especially when compared to the forecast rise of this age group in England. The chief economist's report goes on to say that this could mean £150 million a year less in the Welsh budget by the end of the next decade, and the problem of course grows in each year throughout that period. To what extent can the devolution of Welsh taxes help us to offset this position and to ensure that our Welsh tax base can continue to deliver the public services that we require?