- 11/12/2013
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Category: Latest News
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Finance Minister Jane Hutt has welcomed the Assembly’s approval of the Welsh Government’s Final Budget for 2014-15 today.
The Final Budget ensures that the Welsh Government’s spending plans continue to reflect those areas that matter most to the people of Wales, despite the fact that it is experiencing the most difficult financial times since devolution – as a result of the Tory and Lib Dem UK Government’s decision to reduce the total Welsh budget in 2015-16 by 10% lower in real terms compared to 2010-11.
- The budget for the Welsh NHS in now the largest ever – an additional £570m will be invested over three years to reflect needs and priorities;
- In schools, Ministers are maintaining the commitment to protect investment in frontline spending, including an additional £35m for the Pupil Deprivation Grant to enhance educational attainment;
- Supporting growth and jobs, through an additional £657.5m capital injection – including £70.5m for immediate investment – which will create or support up to 11,000 construction jobs over three years;
- Supporting young people by extending Jobs Growth Wales – with an additional £12.5m to create more than 4,000 extra job opportunities for 16-25 year olds in 2015-16, with major support from the European Social Fund;
- Supporting children, families and deprived communities through doubling the number of children benefitting from Flying Start and ensuring that an extra 500 Community Support Officers will continue to serve communities in 2015-16.
