The UK Government's Autumn Statement

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:08 pm on 22 November 2022.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 2:08, 22 November 2022

(Translated)

Thank you for that. Communities across Wales are already suffering. After 12 years of austerity, vital services are in no position to face further cuts. I think that honesty is crucial in politics, so it must be underlined clearly that it is the Government in Westminster that is at fault for the seriousness of this situation, and the fact that they deny this and instead blame the worldwide situation is a cause of great disappointment. In Wales, according to the Wales Governance Centre, your Government budget is facing a significant funding gap as a result of inflation, there's a decrease of 7 per cent in household disposal income, and energy bills have gone up again, as well as higher taxes. So, can you tell us, please, how you will seek to strike a balance between the need to maintain services with the need to support those people facing serious hardship? With such tight budgets, will you prioritise the most vulnerable as you put together your budget, to try to prevent as much suffering and as many deaths as possible?