The Senedd’s Finance Committee is today launching its public consultation on next year’s Welsh Government Budget (2021/22). On behalf of the people of Wales, Senedd Committees will be looking at the priorities and detail in the Budget next year.
The draft Budget comes at a time when unprecedented amounts of money are being spent on measures to tackle the impact of COVID-19.
Over the summer the Finance Committee held a social media survey to better understand the Welsh public's priorities for spending and their views on the forthcoming budget in the current climate. The survey provided useful insight for the Committee before it carries out its budget scrutiny.
One survey respondent said:
"Education and health are the obvious priorities, but in a post Covid, post Brexit world, the Welsh Government needs to direct funding towards the economy if Welsh businesses and jobs are to survive."
The Welsh Government’s draft Budget will be presented to Senedd Members in December for scrutiny. The draft budget is usually published in October, however, this year it will be delayed as the Welsh Government does not have an indication of the total funding available until the UK Government publishes funding for Wales.
The Minister for Finance and Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans MS, has announced that the Welsh Government is planning to publish both the outline and detailed draft Budgets together on 8 December 2020, and its final Budget on 2 March 2021.
The Finance Committee is looking at the overall Welsh Government’s budget while other Senedd Committees are looking at specific departments, or ministerial portfolios in detail.
The Committee wants to hear the views
of people across Wales. Details of how to
participate can be found here.
Llyr Gruffydd MS, Chair of the Finance Committee:
“COVID-19 has dramatically impacted on how the Welsh Government is spending money. Unprecedented amounts are being spent on our health service and supporting businesses through these challenging times.
“It is now more important than ever that Members of the Senedd and the public are involved in the Budget process. People’s lives, jobs and businesses are dependent on the Welsh Government’s spending priorities and I hope that as many people as possible will engage with us and the Committee’s consultation.”