Cuts phoney war ends in Wales‏

The phoney war ended in Wales yesterday as the Assembly’s draft budget was announced by Labour’s Finance Minister Jane Hutt. The budget predicted a fall of 10% in real-terms spending over three years with the main axe falling on capital spending with a 40% cut, in effect halting investment in schools, hospitals, roads and rail. http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/businessandeconomy/2010/101117budget/?lang=en

The figures suggest that Wales has been hit harder that the other devolved nations, with real-terms loss of £860 million next year.

However, Jane Hutt in taking a holistic approach to setting the budget claims she wants to protect public sector services and jobs and avoid compulsory redundancies.

Jane Hutt stated that the Welsh Assembly Government will work with the Wales TUC and local government and the health service to try to deliver on this commitment.

UNISON Wales had been advocating against a silo mentality of ring fencing particular departmental budgets as this would have lead to more severe cuts in other areas of essential spending.

UNISON Wales spokespersons had a high profile during the day being interviewed on the main morning and evening BBC news bulletins. Check link at 1.05:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vpghc/Good_Morning_Wales_17_11_2010/